Horry County is South Carolina’s second most popular landing spot for those relocating to the state, according to a national moving company.
But when it comes to the age of those moving here, the county is among only three in the state where baby boomers rule, according to research from StorageCafe, a storage space marketplace. It’s a stark difference to other areas, where Gen Z’s reportedly make up the highest number of arrivals in the state.
Gen Zers are moving in large numbers to such areas as Kershaw and Richland counties, which offer the “vibrant pull of Columbia” and “the suburban charm of nearby Richland,” the report said.
The average age of newcomers in Horry County is 41, and most new arrivals — 80% — are coming from other states, , according to the research. The research is based on the Pee Dee region that is made up of Horry, Dillon and Marion counties.
Horry County’s homeownership rate is highest in the state, with nearly 6 in 10 newcomers buying a home within their first year, the research shows. The newcomer homeownership rate is 59% among Horry, Dillion and Marion counties.
The high rate is thanks to boomers’ financial footing and preference for ownership, the research report said.
Neighboring North Carolina is the top feeder state to the county, with New York as the second-largest source of arrivals. Many of those are retirees who have sold high-priced properties and are able to stretch their dollars once they resettle in South Carolina, where home prices are lower, the report said.
Because of the number of people moving into Horry County, there has been a large increase in the number of storage units and storage facilities built throughout the county.
Over a five-year period, Conway has seen a 45% increase in storage facilities, the largest among cities in the county according to StorageCafe. That’s followed by the Myrtle Beach area, which has seen a 17% increase and Little River at 13%.
