Myrtle Beach is a modestly-sized coastal city whose economy and culture are dominated by tourism. The city’s population has been growing; recent estimates put Myrtle Beach at about 42,000 residents in 2025, up roughly 17% since 2020. (Including nearby suburbs and unincorporated areas, the metro area is around 250,000.) The median household income is about $53,700 – near the national median – and poverty runs around 17%. The population is mostly White (about 70%), with Black or African-American making up roughly 14% and smaller percentages of other groups. The city has a relatively high median age (47 years) due to many retirees and the fact that many families come here on vacation.
Myrtle Beach’s economy revolves around hospitality: hotels, golf courses, restaurants and entertainment complexes. Per-capita income is lower (around $36,000) than the national average, reflecting its seasonal job market (summer in particular sees a flood of temporary workers). Major employers include hospitality chains, healthcare systems, and Grand Strand area attractions. The city sees around 15 million annual visitors, making it one of the most-visited beach cities in the Southeast. In short, Myrtle Beach by the numbers is a small city (~40k people) experiencing steady growth, with a beach-and-golf driven economy and a largely White populace, and median incomes in the mid-$50k range.
Myrtle Beach sits on the central North Carolina–South Carolina Grand Strand, a stretch of Atlantic coastline. Geographically, it is in northeastern South Carolina (South Atlantic region of the U.S.), facing the Atlantic Ocean on its east. The city itself is on barrier islands separated from the mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway (since 1936). The terrain is flat sandy beach and dunes, backed by salt marshes. Pine forests and wetlands lie just inland. The nearest metropolitan areas are Wilmington, NC (74 miles northeast) and Charleston, SC (94 miles southwest).
Myrtle Beach has a humid subtropical climate similar to other Carolina coasts. Summers are hot and very humid; July and August highs average in the mid-80s°F and often climb into the 90s. The city gets around 52 inches of rain annually, with summer thunderstorms common. Winters are mild: January highs around 52°F, lows around 32°F, and occasional light freezes (but snowfall is very rare). Hurricanes and tropical storms can threaten from June to October, though the region’s barrier islands often offer some protection; nonetheless, visitors in hurricane season should monitor forecasts. Overall, visitors will find long warm summers perfect for beach activities, and very mild winters ideal for off-season golf and strolls.
Myrtle Beach’s modern history is closely tied to the development of tourism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before that, the area was sparsely populated (settlements dated back to colonial land grants and saw farming and forestry in the 1700–1800s). The turning point came around 1900 when the Conway & Seashore Railroad was built to the coast. In 1901, the original Seaside Inn hotel opened, and the town began marketing itself as a resort. In a naming contest, the abundant wax myrtle shrub inspired the name “Myrtle Beach,” and the community’s post office adopted that name. Myrtle Beach was incorporated as a town in 1938 (and later as a city in 1957).
Initially, development was slow. Only a few vacation cottages and the pavilion (built in 1901) dotted the shore. After World War II, a surge in leisure travel (and President Eisenhower’s highway projects) sparked rapid growth. The iconic Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & SkyWheel arrived much later (SkyWheel opened in 2011), but the city’s rise as a family resort and golf mecca solidified by the 1970s and 80s. Today, Myrtle Beach is known as the “Family Beach” of the Carolinas, with a history of steady expansion from a quiet rail terminus to a major entertainment complex. The founding entrepreneurs and mid-century boosters envisioned coastal tourism, and that vision has been realized through beachfront hotels, amusement piers, and sprawling golf courses.
Myrtle Beach culture is defined by family fun, Southern friendliness, and a vacation-town feel. The local character is predominantly American (English is virtually universally spoken, with a touch of Southern drawl), with small influences from retirees up north and immigrants working in hospitality. There are few international enclaves here; this is solidly rural-Southern culture mixed with resort hospitality.
Traditions revolve around beach leisure and entertainment. Sand, sun, and family time form the core daily lifestyle: local mornings often begin with jogs or fishing off the pier, and evenings might end with fireworks at the boardwalk. The pace of life is laid-back and family-oriented. Year-round, the city hosts community festivals: for example, the Blue Crab Festival (October) in nearby Calabash celebrates seafood, and the Carolina Country Music Fest (June) draws concert crowds. Around Christmas, the town lights up for holiday parades and a Winter Wonderland at Broadway at the Beach. Golf is a cultural staple too; locals and tourists alike hit the courses throughout spring and fall.
In daily routines, friendliness is a hallmark. Locals greet strangers easily and often work in hospitality – so service is warm (sometimes boisterously so). Tourist-era communities here often have a “hello” and wave culture. At the same time, there’s a homespun quality: mom-and-pop diners serve shrimp and grits, surf music plays over radio stations, and waterpark attractions reflect a carnivalesque flair. Thus, Myrtle Beach’s vibe can be summed up as sunny, cheerful, and casual – a place where families relax on the sand by day and enjoy fireworks or a beachside concert by night.
Myrtle Beach’s top attractions are mostly outdoors and family-friendly. Chief among them is the Boardwalk & Promenade in downtown Myrtle Beach, a one-mile wooden promenade lined with shops, arcades, and eateries. Adjacent to the boardwalk stands the SkyWheel, a 200-foot Ferris wheel opening overhead, offering panoramic views of the coastline. These were redeveloped in the 2010s as part of the city’s push to energize the downtown beachfront.
Beyond the boardwalk, the beaches themselves are the main attraction – 60 miles of continuous sandy Atlantic shoreline. Swimming, parasailing, jet skiing and pirate ship cruises are popular day activities. Family attractions abound: for example, Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach and WonderWorks (a tilted science museum) are major draws. Broadway at the Beach is an entire entertainment complex with shops, restaurants, nightlife and mini-golf – like a mini-city built around a small lake. Nearby Barefoot Landing (over the waterway) has theaters, dining, and a year-round medley of shops. Other highlights include Myrtle Waves Water Park, the Family Kingdom Amusement Park (classic seaside rides and roller coasters), and Family Kingdom. Golf and nature are attractions too: courses line the area (some designed by legends like Tiger Woods) and state parks such as Myrtle Beach State Park offer trails, boardwalks over salt marshes, and a vintage pier. In summary, Myrtle Beach’s must-sees are its beach and boardwalk, plus family-centric spots like the SkyWheel and Ripley’s Aquarium, all epitomizing the city’s fun-loving oceanfront culture.
The nearest airport is Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), just a few miles northwest of town. MYR offers seasonal and year-round flights from many U.S. cities. Major nearby hubs include Charleston (94 miles SW), Charlotte (170 miles NW), and Raleigh-Durham (245 miles N). By car, Myrtle Beach is accessible via U.S. Highway 17 from Wilmington (to the north) or Charleston (south), and via U.S. 501 from Interstate 95 inland. Greyhound bus also serves the area.
A car is the most convenient way to explore beyond the immediate beachfront. The city itself is easy to navigate by car or by the free Coast RTA trolley (which loops around downtown, Broadway, and the beach). Many attractions are clustered along or near U.S. 17 Business (“Kings Highway”) or Route 17 Bypass; however, traffic can get heavy on summer weekends. For short distances in the downtown/beach area, taxis and ride-shares are available but somewhat limited. The compact downtown and boardwalk are quite walkable, and most hotels are within easy walking distance of the beach or taverns.
U.S. dollars and English are used. Tipping 15–18% at restaurants is customary. Dress is extremely casual (swimwear, shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops). Beach etiquette is to wear swimsuits and cover-ups near pools or boardwalk, and always reapply sunscreen. Sun safety is important – Carolina sun can burn quickly – and watch out for jellyfish in late summer. The water can have strong rip currents; swim between lifeguards. Myrtle Beach is generally safe, though petty theft can occur on crowded beaches or boardwalks. Keep car valuables out of sight and avoid unlit areas after dark. Seasonal visitors flood in summer, so in high season the town gets very busy; book lodging and attractions well in advance. Fall (September–November) and spring are pleasantly warm and less crowded, making them ideal for a quieter visit. Finally, remember that Southerners here are known for their friendliness – a simple “yes ma’am/sir” and a smile go a long way in this polite community.
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