# North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

North Myrtle Beach is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. It was created in 1968 from four existing municipalities, and is located about 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Myrtle Beach. It serves as one of the primary tourist destinations along the Grand Strand.
As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,790. It is part of the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a combined population of 449,295 as of 2016.

## History

In 1737, William Gause obtained a grant to 250 acres (100 ha) of land near Windy Hill Beach. He farmed the area and also established a tavern for travelers along the Kings Highway.
North Myrtle Beach was created in 1968 with the consolidation of Cherry Grove Beach, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive Beach, and Windy Hill Beach.

## Geography

North Myrtle Beach is located in eastern Horry County. It is bordered to the southwest by Briarcliffe Acres and to the northeast by Little River. Via U.S. Route 17, it is 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Myrtle Beach and 57 miles (92 km) southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina. Via South Carolina Highway 9 it is 67 miles (108 km) southeast of Interstate 95 near Dillon, South Carolina.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.7 square miles (45.8 km$^2$), of which 17.1 square miles (44.3 km$^2$) are land and 0.62 square miles (1.6 km$^2$), or 3.39%, are water.
The area is divided into four separate areas based on its former municipalities. These are Windy Hill, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive, and Cherry Grove, a spit bordering North Carolina. Atlantic Beach, which is bordered on three sides by North Myrtle Beach, chose to remain its own town during the merger.

### Neighborhoods

* Barefoot
* Bell's Lake
* Cherry Grove Beach
* Crescent Beach
* Ingram Beach
* Little River Neck
* Ocean Creek
* Ocean Drive Beach
* Park Pointe
* Seabrook Plantation
* Tidewater
* Windy Hill Beach

## Demographics
### 2020 census

North Myrtle Beach racial composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 16,808 | 89.45% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 414 | 2.2% |
| Native American | 68 | 0.36% |
| Asian | 147 | 0.78% |
| Pacific Islander | 11 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed | 543 | 2.89% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 799 | 4.25% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 18,790 people, 7,558 households, and 4,583 families residing in the city.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,974 people, 5,406 households, and 3,130 families residing in the city. The population density was 841.6 inhabitants per square mile (324.9/km$^2$). There were 18,091 housing units at an average density of 1,387.5 per square mile (535.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 94.50% White, 2.31% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 1.06% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.
There were 5,406 households, out of which 15.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.1% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.53.
In the city, the population distribution by age was 13.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $38,787, and the median income for a family was $46,052. Males had a median income of $30,189 versus $22,119 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,006. About 5.1% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

## Arts and culture

North Myrtle Beach has a public library, a branch of the Horry County Memorial Library.

## Government

North Myrtle Beach adheres to the Council-Manager form of government. The current mayor is Marilyn Hatley. The current council members are J.O. Baldwin (Mayor pro tempore), Bubba Collins, Trey Skidmore, Nikki Fontana, Hank Thomas, and Fred Coyne. The current acting City Manager is Ryan Fabbri. The former city manager, Mike Mahaney resigned on October 22, 2024

## Education

* Ocean Drive Elementary School
* Riverside Elementary School
* Waterway Elementary School
* North Myrtle Beach Middle School
* North Myrtle Beach High School (in nearby Little River)

## Infrastructure
### Transportation
#### Road

* US 17
* SC 9
* SC 31
* SC 65 (Ocean Boulevard)
* SC 90
* Robert Edge Parkway

#### Air

North Myrtle Beach is home to a single terminal, the Grand Strand Airport, serving primarily banner planes and small aircraft. The airfield is located in the heart of the city. The airport generates over $10.1 million in local economic output.

#### Bus

North Myrtle Beach is served by the Coast RTA, formerly Waccamaw RTA or Lymo.

## Notable people

* Alyssa Arce, fashion model, Playboy Playmate for July 2013
* Ryan Quigley - football punter who has played for the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles.
* Lou Saban, former football coach; lived here until his death
* Kelly Tilghman, Golf Channel broadcaster and PGA Tour's first female lead golf announcer
* Sadler Vaden, musician, best known as a member of Jason Isbell's band, The 400 Unit.
* Vanna White, television personality known for co-hosting Wheel of Fortune