Myrtle Beach is a prominent resort city located in Horry County, South Carolina, within the United States. It is situated at the heart of the "Grand Strand," a continuous 60-mile stretch of beach along the East Coast. The city is a significant tourism hub, attracting over 20 million visitors annually due to its warm subtropical climate, extensive beaches, numerous golf courses, and diverse entertainment options [1] [2] [3]. As of the 2020 census, its year-round population was 35,682, making it the 13th-most populous city in South Carolina [3]. The name "Myrtle Beach" originated from a name-the-town contest in 1900, honoring the abundant local wax myrtle shrub [1] [3].

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History and Development

The area now known as Myrtle Beach was historically inhabited by the Waccamaw people [3]. European settlement began in the late 18th century, with families like the Withers establishing land grants. The region remained largely undeveloped until the late 19th century when the Burroughs and Collins Company acquired much of the land. Franklin Burroughs envisioned transforming the area, then called "New Town," into a resort destination. His sons completed a railroad to the beach and opened the Seaside Inn in 1901. The community was officially named Myrtle Beach around 1900 and was incorporated as a town in 1938, achieving city status in 1957 when its permanent population exceeded 5,000 [1] [3]. Significant infrastructure developments followed, including the construction of Myrtle Beach Municipal Airport in 1937 (later Myrtle Beach International Airport) and the paving of Kings Highway in 1940, which improved accessibility [3].

Geography and Climate

Myrtle Beach is geographically separated from the continental United States by the Intracoastal Waterway, which has influenced its coastal development [3]. The city covers an area of approximately 23.69 square miles, with 23.42 square miles being land [3]. It is located 67 miles southeast of Florence, South Carolina, and 94 miles northeast of Charleston, South Carolina [3]. The city experiences a humid subtropical climate (Cfa), characterized by long, hot, and humid summers with average daytime highs between 83 and 91 °F (28 to 33 °C). Winters are generally mild and short, with average daytime highs ranging from 57 to 61 °F (14 to 16 °C) [3]. While snowfall is rare, the area can experience tropical weather systems, with September and August typically being the wettest months [3].

Economy and Tourism

Myrtle Beach's economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with hotels, resorts, restaurants, attractions, and retail developments catering to millions of visitors annually [3]. The "Grand Strand" offers a wide array of attractions, including miles of beaches, over 80 golf courses, and more than 1,900 restaurants [2] [3]. Popular entertainment venues include the Alabama Theatre, Carolina Opry, and Legends in Concert [3]. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, opened in 2010, has received national recognition [3]. The city also hosts various annual events, such as Canadian-American Days, the Carolina Country Music Fest, and Senior Week [3]. Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) serves as a key gateway, offering over 50 nonstop destinations and low average fares [4].

Local Governance and Infrastructure

The city of Myrtle Beach operates under a council-manager government system, adopted in 1974 [3]. The Mayor presides over City Council meetings, and the City Manager oversees daily operations and municipal services [3]. As of 2025-09-03, Brenda Bethune serves as the Mayor of Myrtle Beach, having held the position since 2018 [3]. The city's infrastructure includes Grand Strand Medical Center, a 369-bed acute care hospital, and a comprehensive transportation network with major U.S. Routes (US 17, US 501) and planned interstates (Future I-73, Future I-74) [3]. Public transportation is provided by Coast RTA and Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority [3].

Education and Media

Myrtle Beach is served by Horry County Schools, one of the largest school districts in South Carolina [3]. Several private and charter schools are also located within or near the city [3]. Higher education institutions include the Golf Academy of America, Palmetto School of Career Development, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, and Webster University [3]. The local media landscape includes The Sun News, a daily newspaper, and two major television stations, WMBF-TV (NBC) and WFXB (Fox) [3].

Notable Aspects

Myrtle Beach is known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings. It has been dubbed the "Golf Capital of the World" due to its numerous golf courses [3]. The city also hosts significant motorcycle rallies, including Myrtle Beach Bike Week and Black Bike Week, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors [3]. Shopping destinations like Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach, and Coastal Grand Mall provide extensive retail and entertainment options [3]. The city maintains a "thong ordinance," prohibiting swimwear that reveals any portion of the buttocks in public [3].

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