Carolina Forest, SC — City Data, Demographics & Statistics
Horry County · South Carolina
City DNA
A unique fingerprint for Carolina Forest based on 8 key metrics — compared to averages.
Quick Stats
Population
26,373
2023 ACS
Median Income
$70,647
2023
Median Home Value
$298,700
2023
Median Rent
$1,567
2023
Median Age
37.6
Unemployment
8.4%
Cost of Living Index
121.8
100 = national avg
Carolina Forest is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, with a population of 26,373 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. Carolina Forest is one of the communities in South Carolina.
The median household income in Carolina Forest is $70,647, and the median home value is $298,700. The cost of living index is 121.8 (where 100 = national average), and the median rent is $1,567 per month. The unemployment rate is 8.4%, and the median age is 37.6 years.
People & Demographics
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Population
Total Population
26,373
Male
12,774
48.4%
Female
13,599
51.6%
Median Age
37.6
Education & Household
Bachelor's or Higher
23.7%
High School or Higher
42.4%
Foreign Born
11.8%
Veterans
4.9%
Married
44.2%
Avg Household Size
2.7
Marital Status by Age
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
0.373
Simpson's Index (0-1)
Largest Group
White
77.9%
Foreign Born
11.8%
Hispanic/Latino Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race. People of any race can identify as Hispanic. This percentage overlaps with the racial categories above.
Hispanic/Latino
7.5%
1,967 people
Not Hispanic/Latino
92.5%
Hispanic/Latino Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Asian Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)American Indian & Alaska Native Detail
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Languages Spoken
Total Speakers (5+)
24,897
English Only
85.2%
#1 Non-English Language
Spanish
1,810 speakers
Limited English
4.0%
Language Distribution
English Proficiency
Speaks English Very Well
96.0%
Limited English Proficiency
4.0%
Veterans & Military
Total Veterans
1,294
4.9% of population
Disability Rate
31.7%
410 with disability
Veteran Median Income
$52,358
Period of Service
Veteran Age Distribution
Male Veterans
1,098
84.9%
Female Veterans
196
15.1%
Veteran vs Non-Veteran Income
Veteran Income
$52,358
Non-Veteran Income
$37,164
Difference
$15,194
40.9% higher
Disability Status
With Disability
410
Without Disability
884
Disability Rate
31.7%
Ancestry & Heritage
Total Reporting Ancestry
19,379
#1 Ancestry
German
13.3% (3,499)
#2 Ancestry
English
11.9% (3,147)
#3 Ancestry
Irish
11.0% (2,903)
Top 20 Ancestries
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Families & Households
Total Households
9,674
Family Households
6,645
68.7%
Married Couples
5,092
52.6%
Non-Family Households
3,029
31.3%
Single Mother Households
1,139
11.8%
Single Father Households
414
4.3%
Living Alone
2,165
22.4%
Children Under 18
Total Children
5,442
In Married Couple
3,489
64.1%
With Single Mother
1,524
28.0%
With Single Father
429
7.9%
Family Income
Median Family Income
$85,689
Married Couple Income
$98,629
Single Mother Income
$43,958
Single Father Income
$58,938
Avg Family Size
2.7
Avg Non-Family Size
2.5
Grandparents w/ Grandchildren
449
Grandparents Responsible
225
Economy
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023)Income Overview
Median Household Income
$70,647
-4% vs national
Per Capita Income
$38,209
+3% vs national
Poverty Rate
14.0%
+3% vs national
Gini Index
0.4462
0 = perfect equality
Unemployment
8.4%
+61% vs national
SNAP Recipients
6.7%
of households
How Carolina Forest Compares
Carolina Forest vs Similar Cities
Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. Carolina Forest is highlighted.
Median Household Income
Carolina Forest, SC has a median household income of $70,647, making it the 12,010th highest median household income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Carolina Forest has a higher median household income than 57% of all the cities we measured.
Per Capita Income
Carolina Forest, SC has a per capita income of $38,209, making it the 9,710th highest per capita income out of 28,123 cities in our database. This means that Carolina Forest has a higher per capita income than 65% of all the cities we measured.
Poverty Rate
Carolina Forest, SC has a poverty rate of 14.0%, making it the 12,104th highest poverty rate out of 31,262 cities in our database. This means that Carolina Forest has a higher poverty rate than 61% of all the cities we measured.
Unemployment Rate
Carolina Forest, SC has a unemployment rate of 8.4%, making it the 5,462nd highest unemployment rate out of 31,012 cities in our database. This means that Carolina Forest has a higher unemployment rate than 82% of all the cities we measured.
Where Do You Stack Up?
Enter your household income to see how you compare to other households in Carolina Forest. The median household income here is $70,647.
Income Distribution
Employment Snapshot
Unemployment Rate
8.4%
+37% vs SC avg
Labor Force
13,232
Employed
12,123
Mean Commute
20 min
How People Get to Work
Employment by Sector
Education & Workforce
Bachelor's Degree+
23.7%
of adults 25+
High School Diploma+
42.4%
of adults 25+
Median Age
37.6
Work from Home
8.3%
of workers
Top Occupations & Wages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (2024)
Data represents the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro area
Highest-Paying Job
Registered Nurses
Top Median Wage
$82.7K
per year
Occupations Tracked
20
Cost of Living
Overall Index
121.8
100 = national avg
+21.8 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$53,590
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$126,668
per year
Cost Index by Category
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD
1 Bedroom
$1,229
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,465
per month
The median household income in Carolina Forest, SC is $70,647, which is 3.5% below the national average of $73,224. Per capita income is $38,209. The poverty rate of 14.0% is lower than the SC state average of 19.1%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.4462, where 0 represents perfect equality and 1 represents maximum inequality. The unemployment rate is 8.4%, compared to the state average of 6.1%. The labor force is 13,232. 23.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The average commute time is 20 minutes, with 8.3% working from home. About 81.5% of workers drive alone to work. The overall cost of living index is 121.8, which is 21.8% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 153.4. A single adult needs to earn approximately $53,590 per year to cover basic expenses.
Housing & Real Estate
Market SnapshotRedfin — January 2026
Median Sale Price
$437,500
Median List Price
$382,000
Price Per Sq Ft
$183
Days on Market
128
Active Inventory
247
Months of Supply
5.6
Balanced market
Market CompetitivenessRedfin
Sold Above List
9.1%
Off Market in 2 Weeks
25.0%
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.9%
Buyer's market
Price TrendsRedfin
Market ActivityRedfin
Homes Sold
44
New Listings
64
Pending Sales
64
Price Per Square FootRedfin
Median Sale $/SF
$183
Median List $/SF
$209
House Price IndexFHFA
How much have housing prices increased in Carolina Forest, SC? According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index for the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro area, home prices have risen 93.2% over the past 20 years. The 10-year growth rate is 112.9%. Over the last 5 years, prices increased 65.0%. In the most recent 2-year period, the index rose 5.4%. The FHFA HPI tracks average price changes in repeat sales or refinancings of single-family properties with conforming mortgages. Because this is a metro-level index, it reflects the broader Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC housing market rather than Carolina Forest alone.
Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC
Carolina Forest vs Similar CitiesCensus ACS / Redfin
Compared to cities with 25,000 - 50,000 residents. Carolina Forest is highlighted.
Median Home Value
Carolina Forest, SC has a median home value of $298,700, making it the 7,119th highest median home value out of 27,993 cities in our database. This means that Carolina Forest has a higher median home value than 75% of all the cities we measured.
Median Rent
Carolina Forest, SC has a median rent of $1,567, making it the 3,736th highest median rent out of 22,337 cities in our database. This means that Carolina Forest has a higher median rent than 83% of all the cities we measured.
Median Price Per Sq Ft
Carolina Forest, SC has a price per square foot of $183, making it the 9,407th highest price per square foot out of 20,748 cities in our database. This means that Carolina Forest has a higher price per square foot than 55% of all the cities we measured.
Rent Burden
Carolina Forest, SC has a rent burden of 26.6%, making it the 2,484th highest rent burden out of 21,928 cities in our database. This means that Carolina Forest has a higher rent burden than 89% of all the cities we measured.
Census Housing DataU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Home Value
$298,700
Median Rent
$1,567
Total Housing Units
10,656
Vacancy Rate
9.2%
Owner Occupied
69.3%
Renter Occupied
30.6%
Median Property Tax
$1,051
per year
Monthly Cost (w/ Mortgage)
$1,203
Housing Types
Property TaxU.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023
Median Property Tax
$1,051
per year
Effective Tax Rate
0.35%
of home value
Median Home Value
$298,700
Estimated Mean Tax
$1,277
The effective property tax rate is calculated by dividing the median annual property tax ($1,051) by the median home value ($298,700). In Carolina Forest, SC, this works out to an effective rate of 0.35%. This is below the national average of approximately 1.1%.
The current median sale price in Carolina Forest, SC is $437,500 according to Redfin data. Homes spend a median of 128 days on the market. 9.1% of homes sold above asking price. The market has 5.6 months of supply. The median price per square foot is $183. The median rent is $1,567 per month (Census ACS). About 69.3% of housing units are owner-occupied. The median year homes were built is 2006. There are 10,656 total housing units. Homeowners pay a median annual property tax of $1,051. The effective tax rate is 0.35%, below the national average.
Crime data is not yet available for Carolina Forest. The FBI UCR/NIBRS program does not cover all jurisdictions.
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
98.2
Relatively High
Expected Annual Loss
97.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
65.4
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
66.4
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
34
Public Assistance
$71.4M
Individual Assistance
$16.7M
Most Common Type
Hurricane
18 declarations
Public Assistance by Category
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Covington Drive Fire → | Fire | Mar 2025 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Debby → | Tropical Storm | Sep 2024 | $1.8M | — |
| Hurricane Helene → | Tropical Storm | Sep 2024 | — | — |
| Hurricane Debby → | Tropical Storm | Aug 2024 | — | — |
| Hurricane Idalia → | Hurricane | Aug 2023 | $485K | — |
| Hurricane Ian → | Hurricane | Nov 2022 | $2.7M | $433K |
| Hurricane Ian → | Hurricane | Sep 2022 | — | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $2.3M | $2.6M |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Dorian → | Hurricane | Sep 2019 | $2.1M | — |
| Hurricane Dorian → | Hurricane | Sep 2019 | — | — |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | $20.6M | $7.9M |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | — | — |
| Hurricane Irma → | Hurricane | Oct 2017 | $83K | — |
| Hurricane Irma → | Hurricane | Sep 2017 | — | — |
| Hurricane Matthew → | Hurricane | Oct 2016 | $28.7M | $3.5M |
| Hurricane Matthew → | Hurricane | Oct 2016 | — | — |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Flood | Oct 2015 | $2.8M | $2.1M |
| Severe Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Oct 2015 | — | — |
Showing 20 of 38 disasters
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
12,522
Total Claims Paid
$339,492,525
Avg Claim Payout
$27,112
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
69
Federal Funding
$14,123,606
Properties Protected
234
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.74
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine | 10 | $5,225,869 |
| 205.8: Retrofitting Public Structures - Wind | 9 | $767,645 |
| 90.4: Mitigation Plan - Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 6 | $145,869 |
| 401.1: Water and Sanitary Sewer System Protective Measures | 6 | $757,154 |
| 601.1: Generators | 5 | $79,764 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Carolina Forest has a relatively high overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, tornado, earthquake. The area has had 34 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (18 declarations). 12,522 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $71,443,379 in public assistance recovery funding. $16,666,902 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 69 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.
Health
Community Health
Source: CDC PLACES
Obesity Rate
30.8%
5.3pp below the national average
Depression Rate
22.4%
1.1pp below the national average
Diabetes Rate
11.7%
near the national average
Uninsured Rate
10.8%
near the national average
Health Scorecard
Higher scores indicate better health outcomes relative to the national average (50 = average)
Health Outcomes
Age-adjusted prevalence rates. Green bars indicate rates below the national average; red indicates above.
High Cholesterol
39.1%
Arthritis
27.5%
Cancer (excl. skin)
9.2%
Teeth Lost (65+)
8.9%
Health Risk Behaviors
Prevention & Screening
Green bars indicate rates above the national average (more preventive care); red indicates below.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Frequent Mental Distress
17.2%
14+ days in past month
Depression
22.4%
Loneliness
29.5%
Lack of Support
21.6%
Disability Prevalence
Any Disability
27.9%
Mobility
12.8%
Cognitive
13.7%
Hearing
6.7%
Vision
4.5%
Self-Care
3.4%
Independent Living
7.5%
Health-Related Social Needs
Prevalence of social risk factors affecting community health
Carolina Forest has an obesity rate of 30.8%, which is 5.3pp below the national average. The depression rate is 22.4%, 1.1pp below the national average. About 10.8% of adults lack health insurance. 80.5% of residents had an annual checkup in the past year.
Nearby Hospitals
Source: CMS Hospital Compare
Nearest Hospitals
5
With Emergency Services
4
Avg CMS Rating
3.0 / 5
Nearest Hospital
7.0 mi
Grand Strand Regional Medical ...
| Hospital | Distance | Type | Rating | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Strand Regional Medical Center | 7.0 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
| Conway Medical Center | 7.9 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 2/5 | Yes |
| Lighthouse Behavioral Health Hospital | 7.9 mi | Psychiatric | — | Yes |
| Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital | 15.8 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | Yes |
| Mcleod Loris Hospital | 18.4 mi | Acute Care Hospitals | 4/5 | — |
Infrastructure
Commute Overview2023 ACS
Mean Commute
20 min
-14% vs national
Drive Alone
81.5%
+4% vs national
Work From Home
8.3%
-11% vs national
Carpool
8.0%
Walk / Bike
0.8%
combined
How Carolina Forest's Commute ComparesCensus ACS 2023
How People Get to WorkCensus ACS 2023
Commute Mode BreakdownCensus ACS 2023
The average commute in Carolina Forest, SC is 20 minutes, which is 13.7% below the national average of 23 minutes. 81.5% of workers drive alone, compared to the national average of 78.7%. 8.3% work from home, which is above the SC state average of 7.3%. 8.0% of workers carpool.
Internet & Broadband Access
Source: Census ACSBroadband Access
94.1%
of households
Cable / Fiber / DSL
83.5%
of households
No Internet
2.9%
of households
Total Households
9,674
Internet Subscription Types
Device Ownership
Source: Census ACSHas Computer
98.0%
of households
Smartphone
96.6%
of households
Desktop / Laptop
85.2%
of households
Tablet
67.4%
of households
Percentage of households with each device type. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS (2023 5-year estimates, tables B28001 & B28002).
Electricity Rates
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2024)Residential Rate
14.2¢
per kWh
-25% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Commercial Rate
10.6¢
per kWh
-31% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Industrial Rate
6.8¢
per kWh
-42% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
Avg Monthly Bill
$150
residential
+2% vs 25,000 - 50,000 avg
17% below the national average of 17.1¢/kWh
Residential electricity in South Carolina averages 14.2¢ per kWh, compared to the national average of 17.1¢. The average monthly electric bill is $150. State-level averages from EIA Electric Sales & Revenue data (2024).
Carolina Forest vs Similar Cities
Source: EIA (2024)Comparing electricity rates with randomly selected cities of similar population (25,000 - 50,000). Each city represents its state's average rate.
Residential Rate (¢/kWh)
Commercial Rate (¢/kWh)
Industrial Rate (¢/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill
94.1% of households in Carolina Forest have broadband internet access. 83.5% have cable, fiber, or DSL service. 7.7% rely solely on cellular data without a wired connection. 2.9% of households have no internet access. 7.4% use only a smartphone without a desktop or laptop.
Politics & Government
County-level data: Election results are reported at the county level. Carolina Forest is located in Horry County, SC. Results reflect all voters in the county, not just those in Carolina Forest.
Election Overview
Source: Horry County (2024)2024 Winner
Republican
Dem Votes
62,325
30.3%
GOP Votes
141,719
68.8%
Total Votes
205,954
Margin
R+38.6%
Shift from 2020
R+5.4pp
vs prior election
Election History
Source: County-Level Election Results| Year | Dem Votes | GOP Votes | Total | Dem % | GOP % | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 62,325 | 141,719 | 205,954 | 30.3% | 68.8% | R+38.6 |
| 2020 | 59,180 | 118,821 | 179,744 | 32.9% | 66.1% | R+33.2 |
| 2016 | 36,731 | 83,819 | 124,503 | 29.5% | 67.3% | R+37.8 |
In the 2024 presidential election, Horry County recorded 205,954 total votes. Republicans won the county with 68.8% of the vote compared to 30.3% for Democrats, a margin of R+38.6%. Compared to 2020, the margin shifted R+5.4pp from the previous election.
SBA Lending Overview
Source: SBA FOIA Loan-Level DataTotal SBA Loans
1
Total Approved
$50K
Jobs Supported
N/A
Per 10K Residents
0.4
SBA loans
-99.5% vs peers avg
Unique Lenders
1
Top Lender
TD Bank, National Association
1 loans
Top Industry
Other Services
Data Span
2014–2014
Loan Program Breakdown
Source: SBA FOIALoans
1
Total Amount
$50K
Avg Loan
$50,000
Median Loan
$50,000
SBA Guaranteed
$25K(50%)
Jobs Supported
N/A
Top Industries Funded
Source: SBA FOIA / NAICS CodesSBA Loans per 10K Residents vs Similar Cities
Source: SBA FOIA + Census ACSCompared to cities with population 25,000 - 50,000
Top SBA Borrowers
Source: SBA FOIA| Business | Loans | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kings and Queens Enterprises Llc | 1 | $50K |
Carolina Forest, SC has received 1 SBA loans totaling $50K in approved funding between 2014 and 2014. The 7(a) program accounts for 1 loans (100% of the total). The most common industry receiving SBA funding is Other Services. The most active SBA lender in Carolina Forest is TD Bank, National Association with 1 loans. That works out to 0.4 SBA loans per 10,000 residents.
ZIP Code Overview
Source: Census ACSZIP Codes
5
Total Population
204,517
Avg Median Income
$66,040
Avg Home Value
$290,600
ZIP Code Details
Source: Census ACS| ZIP Code | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Median Rent | Area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29526 | 51,176 | $66,490 | $232,100 | $943 | 175.0 |
| 29572 | 11,506 | $75,388 | $385,100 | $1,148 | 8.9 |
| 29577 | 35,022 | $48,561 | $273,700 | $1,130 | 22.7 |
| 29579 | 53,699 | $72,909 | $320,400 | $1,466 | 53.0 |
| 29588 | 53,114 | $66,854 | $241,700 | $1,220 | 42.0 |
Carolina Forest, SC has 5 ZIP codes with a combined population of 204,517. The average median household income across all ZIP codes is $66,040. The average median home value is $290,600. The average median monthly rent is $1,181.
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