Executive Summary
The Grand Strand hosts approximately 117 identifiable senior care listings across Horry and Georgetown counties as of early 2026. Driven by a senior population that accounts for 27.0% of Horry County's 413,391 residents — well above the national average of 18.0% — the Grand Strand has developed one of the most concentrated senior care markets in South Carolina.
Assisted Living is the dominant care type by facility count (37.6%), with Myrtle Beach anchoring the market (38.5% of all listings).
Section 1: The Demographic Engine
Horry County is a textbook retirement magnet. Its median age of 49.0 years ranks among the highest in South Carolina. Seniors aged 55 and older make up 37% of the county's population, compared to 28.9% statewide and 27% nationally. This demographic reality directly drives the demand for senior care infrastructure.
Horry County 65+ Population Breakdown
Total 65+ Population: ~94,867 (25.71% of total)
Section 2 & 3: Care Type Breakdown
The ~117 facilities encompass a full spectrum of providers: Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), standalone Assisted Living, Memory Care neighborhoods, and supportive home care. The breakdown below categorizes facilities by their primary or most prominent care designation.
Grand Strand Care Type Distribution
Section 4: Facilities by City
The Grand Strand's senior care market is heavily concentrated at its core — Myrtle Beach alone accounts for more listings than the next four cities combined.
Geographic Distribution of Listings
Section 5: Assisted Living vs. Independent Living Concentration
The ratio of Assisted Living (AL) to Independent Living (IL) facilities reveals important insights about each city's care market orientation. Conway and Murrells Inlet show a 3.5:1 AL-to-IL ratio, indicating these communities skew heavily toward higher-need, assisted populations. Pawleys Island and Surfside Beach present the most balanced AL:IL ratios.
Assisted Living vs. Independent Living Supply
Section 6 & 7: Cost of Care Landscape (2025–2026)
The Grand Strand's care costs sit above South Carolina's statewide median, reflecting the coastal premium and high demand from an affluent retiree base. Assisted living costs in Myrtle Beach increased 16.5% between 2022 and 2024 — below the South Carolina average inflation of 24.3%, making the market slightly more stable than other coastal parts of the state.
| Care Setting | Myrtle Beach Median | SC Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted Living | $5,625 / mo | $5,350 / mo | $6,200 / mo |
| Memory Care | $4,235 / mo | $4,234 / mo | ~$5,600 / mo |
| Skilled Nursing (semi-private) | $8,365 / mo | $9,034 / mo | $9,579 / mo |
| Home Health Care | $5,339 / mo | $5,982 / mo | $6,673 / mo |
| Adult Day Health | $1,560 / mo | $1,560 / mo | $2,058 / mo |
Section 8 & 9: Memory Care & Industry Outlook
Memory care represents the second-largest care category (21.4%), reflecting the county's aging demographics. An estimated 11% of Horry County residents aged 65 or older have an Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis, and among those 85+, that figure rises to approximately 56%.
South Carolina's assisted living industry reached 450 licensed establishments statewide in 2024, growing every year since 2017. Horry County expects 275,000+ new residents by 2040, signaling continued expansion, as evidenced by recent developments like Prime Carolina Coast (Conway), new Memory Care neighborhoods at Arbor Landing at Surfside, and the Magnolia Bridge at Murrells Inlet campus.
Methodology & Data Limitations
The ~117 listing figure is a composite count across multiple data sources (SC DHEC, Census Bureau, CareScout, Chamber of Commerce) and reflects the state of the market as captured in early 2026. Multi-level facilities (CCRCs) may appear as a single listing unless physically separate addresses are used. Facility capacity figures are sourced from state license data and reflect maximums rather than current occupancy.