Horry County Homes

Largest of the state’s 46 counties, Horry has a population of approximately 170,000 today.

  First inhabited by Chicora Indians, the Spanish settled here in 1526 and British settlers in the 1600s. Population in 1820 was recorded at 5,025. Horry County boasts noted historical events: Revolutionary battles, a Civil War battle at Fort Randall, and overseas port embarkation from the Myrtle Beach Air Force base during World War II.

In addition to our beaches, the Waccamaw River and Intracoastal Waterway provide recreation as well as transportation commerce. Through the centuries the river has been a boon to the county’s livelihood and pleasure activities.

The area’s endless attractions – seashore activities, themed entertainment parks, golf courses, restored rice plantations, cultural arts, campgrounds and an international airport, to name a few – make tourism Horry County’s primary source of livelihood. Farming and light industry are also important to our growing economy.

The area’s growth (ranked #2 nationally for rate of growth) is phenomenal. In 1990 Horry County had 89,960 housing units, an increase of 63.6% over 1980. 33,494  new housing units were built here from 1990-1998. Housing stock is projected to expand to a total of 248,198 dwellings by the end of 2020. Population trends indicate that growth rate is increasing in unincorporated areas, making real estate an active and growing concern for the future of Horry County.