Population 27,234 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Murrells Inlet
Household size in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.23 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.21 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.27 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.16 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.06 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Murrells Inlet is a place of small households, averaging 2.16 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has edged down from 2.23 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only ten have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 52.7 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 53.3 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 57.9 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 59.9 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.2 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 59.9, Murrells Inlet is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 52.7, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only four of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.8% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Murrells Inlet: 4.3% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only five of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Murrells Inlet
Renters in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.0% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.7% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 10.9% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 10.9% of households in Murrells Inlet rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Just over four in ten owners (42.3%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share has fallen 3.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only five have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.7% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.6% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.0% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.6% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.1 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Murrells Inlet: 14.6% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 6.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1999 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 2000 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2001 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2005 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +7 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Murrells Inlet is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2005, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1999 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the east. Only nine of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $989 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,023 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,236 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,569 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$579 | +$514 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Murrells Inlet costs $1,569 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in South Carolina overall ($1,294). Rent has climbed $579 a month since 2006–10, up 59%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 34.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Murrells Inlet
Bachelor's degrees in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.0% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.5% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.2% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 36.3% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.3 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
More than a third of adults 25 and older in Murrells Inlet (36.3%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. The share is higher than in South Carolina as a whole (32.6%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.3 points, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.5% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.8% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.1% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Murrells Inlet: 96.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 4.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only seven of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Murrells Inlet
| Period | Murrells Inlet | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.1% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.1% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.3% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Murrells Inlet has been low: just 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment is down 2.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Murrells Inlet compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murrells Inlet | 2.16 | 59.9 | 4.3% | 10.9% | 14.6% | 2005 | $1,569 | 36.3% | 96.9% | 3.3% |
| Garden City | 1.92 | 61.1 | 3.7% | 13.5% | 34.9% | 1990 | $1,489 | 26.1% | 93.0% | 4.8% |
| Surfside Beach | 2.21 | 51.2 | 11.2% | 32.1% | 42.8% | 1985 | $1,324 | 35.3% | 94.1% | 6.8% |
| North Litchfield Beach | 2.11 | 66.6 | 1.4% | 4.7% | 32.3% | 2006 | $2,363 | 75.1% | 100.0% | 4.3% |
| Socastee | 2.60 | 43.5 | 9.9% | 33.6% | 9.9% | 1995 | $1,247 | 22.7% | 91.4% | 3.7% |
| Plantersville | 2.14 | 52.7 | 10.3% | 12.9% | 20.1% | 1989 | $568 | 10.5% | 86.0% | 11.4% |
| Pawleys Island | 2.19 | 60.0 | 4.7% | 12.5% | 29.8% | 1999 | $1,654 | 52.1% | 96.6% | 1.3% |
| Waverly Mills | 2.49 | 53.5 | 5.5% | 7.6% | 7.8% | 1997 | $1,244 | 57.0% | 97.4% | 2.3% |
| Yauhannah | 2.53 | 44.3 | 12.1% | 10.6% | 18.0% | 1990 | $615 | 13.8% | 83.2% | 15.1% |
| Oatland | 3.37 | 47.3 | 4.6% | 3.3% | 26.2% | 1989 | $1,645 | 11.0% | 82.2% | 0.1% |
| Kensington | 2.66 | 41.6 | 20.5% | 22.4% | 15.0% | 1987 | $1,298 | 24.7% | 96.7% | 1.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Fresno, TX · Soledad, CA · Soddy-Daisy, TN · Sidney, OH · Shirley, NY · Selden, NY · Hartsville, SC · Harleysville, PA · Harbor City, CA · Grayson, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Murrells Inlet. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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