Horry County
SC · Pop. 368,937 · Mixed County
Horry County, South Carolina covers 1,133 square miles with a population of 368,937 and a density of 325.6 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, cotton. A median home price of $261,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.34% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 252-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F and average winter lows of 36.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 52.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Conway Hospital is 8.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 252-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.34% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Conway Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 8.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 325.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Horry County, SC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 58/100
- Median home price
- $261k
- Property tax
- 0.34%
- Growing season
- 252 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 52.1"
- Broadband
- 99.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Conway Hospital, 8.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Horry County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Horry County?
- Horry County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 252-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F, and average winter lows of 36.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $261,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.34%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Conway Hospital is 8.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.
Explore South Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in South Carolina
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The closest counties to Horry County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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