South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach is home to the fastest growing population of retirees in the US.
The vacation hotspot, which is situated along a 60-mile string of beaches, is visited by more than 18 million people every year.
But it is also a hot spot for retirees, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Between 2020 and 2023, the Myrtle Beach area, which is home to 14 communities, had the fastest growing population of over-65s in America.
The beachfront city saw a 23 percent increase in older Americans over those three years, according to the US Census Bureau.
Myrtle Beach, which has been a popular vacation destination for decades, is roughly half-way between New York City and Miami.
This appeals to seniors who want to retire at the beach but do not want to go all the way down to Florida or other Southern states, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The small Myrtle Beach International Airport also has direct flights to many locations across the US.
The weather in Myrtle Beach is also ideal for retirees as there are seasons, but they are not extreme.
July tends to be the hottest month, with an average temperature of 87.6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service.
The coldest month, meanwhile, is January, when temperatures drop down to around 55.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Myrtle Beach also has all the attractions and amenities of vacation destination, which means there is plenty for retirees to do.
There is the 60-mile stretch of beaches, known as the Grand Strand, as well as world-class golf courses, restaurants and shops.
Along the beachfront boardwalk are arcades and souvenir stands, alongside the old-fashioned Family Kingdom amusement park.
While the city of Myrtle Beach is at the heart of the area, the surrounding communities each have their own unique identity.
Conway is a historic town, according to The Wall Street Journal, Murrells Inlet is a fishing village and Surfside Beach is a family-friendly beach area.
Each area also has its own kind of real estate, suited to varying needs and budgets.
There are planned communities with resort amenities, older established neighborhoods, beachfront condos, Intracoastal Waterway homes and communities, and larger, luxurious homes close to the ocean.
Myrtle Beach also has all the attractions and amenities of vacation destination, which means there is plenty for retirees to do
Myrtle Beach is home to various types of real estate, including planned communities with resort amenities, beachfront condos and Intracoastal Waterway homes and communities
The weather in Myrtle Beach is also ideal for retirees as there are seasons, but they are not extreme
Despite Myrtle Beach being a hotspot for retirees – many of whom are on a fixed income – Americans are increasingly spending more money to buy a home in the area.
In 2023, the average sale price of a home in the South Carolina city was around $334,000.
This was up from around $326,000 in 2022, and $268,000 the year prior.
However, homes in the area are still cheaper than the national average, which was $430,010 in 2024, according to Redfin.
Melanie Hellmer, a real estate agent with Leonard, Call Real Estate of Myrtle Beach, told the outlet that buyers need to think hard about the retirement lifestyle they want before purchasing a home in the area.
‘Do you want to live on or near the ocean, or near a marina? Are you a golfer or tennis player? Would you prefer to be inland for more privacy and space?’ she said.
She also pointed out that the area has good medical care.
There are various local hospital systems, and nationally ranked medical institutions for specialized needs are nearby, including such as the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
Much like large swathes of the US, Myrtle Beach is also facing rising home insurance costs, as extreme weather events become more frequent.
Brian Payne, president at Field Insurance Agency and a South Carolina insurance specialist, told the outlet that hurricanes are a particular risk in the area.
