This is not a trend—it’s a structural advantage. The data reveals a self-sustaining migration loop: residents from inland SC move to the coast for lifestyle, employment, and affordability, reinforcing local demand and stabilizing the market. Unlike markets that depend on distant, volatile inflows, t…
This is not seasonal tourism. It’s a structural shift in household relocation, driven by high-income counties like Suffolk County, NY, and Wake County, NC. The data shows wealth is leading the move—while housing supply remains constrained.…
county. This isn't just migration; it's a signal of elite real estate arbitrage. The Grand Strand is no longer just a seasonal retreat — it’s becoming a permanent home for high-net-worth transplants seeking tax efficiency and coastal lifestyle.…
Metro Home Price Growth (5-Year) — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Despite its mid-tier national ranking, the Grand Strand’s 52.1% five-year home price growth reflects a uniquely resilient, non-speculative market. Unlike speculative hotspots, this appreciation is rooted in long-term demand from remote work…
This isn’t a lag — it’s a structural advantage. The Grand Strand remains the only major U.S. coastal market where no city has crossed the $500K median threshold, defying national trends.…
It’s not stagnation—it’s structural maturity. This isn’t a flaw—it’s a strategic advantage. Stability reduces risk, supports affordability, and attracts long-term residents and investors seeking resilience.…
Construction Establishments — ALEX Intelligence, 2026.
What does it mean that Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC ranks #120 among 925 U.S. metros for construction establishments?…
Garden City, South Carolina, is the only city in the Grand Strand with a median household income below $50,000 — $47,249, to be exact. This isn’t a weakness; it’s a structural advantage. While other coastal markets compete on luxury and exclusivity, Garden City’s affordability is building a resilie…
This is not just a price point; it’s a geographic concentration of wealth.
The data comes from ALEX Intelligence’s new report: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-09-29-grand-strand-concentration-million-homes-place
It reveals a market where location defines elite access, not just income.
Is yo…
What does a 1.4x gap between top and median home values really mean? In Litchfield Beach, it’s not just pricing—it’s a structural divide. The Grand Strand’s most exclusive city sits 40% above the regional median, creating a rare dual-tier market unlike any in South Carolina.…
on Housing Vacancy Rate — ALEX Intelligence, 2026.
27.0% of homes in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach are vacant—yet this isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a strategic advantage.…
North Myrtle Beach’s 48.3% seasonal home rate is the highest in the Grand Strand, a data point from the latest ALEX Intelligence report. This isn't just about vacation homes—it’s a structural shift in how coastal real estate generates value. How does your strategy align with the seasonal economy—or …
This is not a seasonal trend, but a structural shift: Litchfield Beach has become the Grand Strand’s permanent elite enclave. How does this affect investment in neighboring towns like Myrtle Beach or Little River? What happens when exclusivity becomes the primary driver of value?…
What does it mean when 91.5% of homes in a single city are owner-occupied? It means more than stability—it means culture. Forestbrook, SC, leads the Grand Strand in owner occupancy, a rare feat in a region driven by tourism and short-term rentals.…
This isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about structural resilience.
The data shows: older homes aren’t a liability—they’re a competitive edge in a tight market.
Median Home Age by City, Grand Strand (ALEX Intelligence — 2026)
#1 Georgetown — Horry County, South Carolina <- this market
#2 Garden City…
What if the oldest city in the Grand Strand isn’t a sign of decline—but a competitive advantage? Litchfield Beach, with a median age of 64 years, leads the region in demographic maturity. This isn’t a retirement exodus; it’s a community of long-term stewards who value stability, legacy, and place.…
What does $459,000 mean for Litchfield Beach? It’s not just a price point—it’s a structural marker of coastal scarcity. While new construction is rising across Horry County, the most valuable neighborhoods are not being expanded.…
Litchfield Beach isn’t just expensive — it’s structurally costly. But that cost isn’t a flaw; it’s a feature of a resilient, long-term community. What does it mean for buyers who aren’t planning to stay forever?…
The Grand Strand’s incoming households earn 63.8% more than those leaving, a stark signal of net wealth transfer into the region. This isn’t just about tourism or retirements — it’s about high-income professionals reshaping the local economy. How does this shift affect long-term affordability and co…
This is not a sign of stagnation, but of strategic magnetism. The data comes from ALEX Intelligence’s new report: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-09-18-grand-strand-mig-county-top3.
What does this concentration mean for infrastructure, housing quality, and long-term resilience?…
The Grand Strand’s in-migration declined 5.8% between 2021-22 and 2022-23, but the top sending counties remain remarkably consistent: Mercer County, NJ, Columbus County, NC, and Forsyth County, NC. This isn’t a sign of decline—it’s a sign of concentration. The region is no longer attracting broad mi…
The Grand Strand’s housing market isn’t cooling — it’s being starved of supply. This isn’t demand destruction — it’s a supply freeze.
One-Unit Home Permits: 2025 vs 2024 (ALEX Intelligence — 2026)
#2 Georgetown County <- this market
#1 Horry County
Source: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-0…
This parity means job market strength is evenly distributed—no county is lagging.
This cohesion is a structural advantage not seen in many other coastal markets.
Unemployment Rate Spread Across Grand Strand Counties (July 2026) (ALEX Intelligence — 2026)
#1 Georgetown County <- this market
#2 H…
This parity is not a coincidence — it’s the foundation of a resilient, unified housing ecosystem. This integration is enabling broader access, reducing displacement risk, and accelerating homeownership. https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-09-14-grand-strand-within-county-gross-rent
Most Integrated…
It’s not just about time—it’s about hidden wealth transfer. In the Grand Strand, where job centers remain coastal but housing sprawls outward, long commutes are a structural feature, not a flaw. The winners aren’t the closest to work—they’re the ones who can deliver sub-25-minute commutes without pa…
for year-over-year household in-migration decline — ALEX Intelligence, 2026.
The Grand Strand’s 5.8% drop in new household arrivals isn’t a sign of collapse. It’s a market maturing.…
This isn’t a sign of stagnation. It’s a signal of market maturity: the entire region now prices as one integrated metro, not two distinct tiers.
This data comes directly from ALEX Intelligence’s latest report: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-09-11-grand-strand-within-county-home-value
How d…
This isn’t about growth — it’s about overbuilding relative to population.
The data comes directly from ALEX Intelligence’s latest report: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-09-10-grand-strand-permits-per-arrival
What does this mean for your strategy? Are you building for occupancy or for capit…
A 7.6-minute mean commute spread between Little River and Myrtle Beach reveals a critical urban divide in the Grand Strand. This isn’t just about travel time — it’s about access, equity, and long-term value. The data shows how infrastructure gaps shape who benefits from growth.…
Metro on 12-Month Unemployment Change — ALEX Intelligence, 2026.
metros. While national headlines focus on stagnation, Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach saw a -0.8% drop in unemployment over the past year — a rare sign of labor market strength in a volatile economy.…
metros in one-year house price index growth — Federal Housing Finance Agency, 2026 Q2.
This isn’t a sign of decline. It’s a signal of structural shift.…
A key finding from today’s FEDS Notes on new forms of money and U.S. monetary aggregates examines how the composition of M2 is shifting — an indicator of changing financial flows beyond traditional banking channels. This trend may be subtly influencing South Carolina's Grand Strand housing market, a…
With 38.4% of households renting—higher than the national average—the region may be undergoing a structural shift in housing dynamics.
Watch the video: https://alex-companies.com/posts/grandstrand-2026-09-05
Download the PDF: https://alex-companies.com/media/alex-3-0-core-carousels/2026-09-05_63ffe…
According to new research from USC Darla Moore School Division of Research, the region continues to show 6.2% year-over-year price growth—contrasting sharply with broader South Carolina trends. What does this say about regional economic resilience? #RealEstate #MarketAnalysis #GrandStrand #HousingTr…
A look at how shifting migration patterns are affecting local real estate dynamics.
The U.S. Census reports that Horry County saw a 3.4% year-over-year population growth in 2025, higher than the national average — a clear signal of increased interest in coastal South Carolina.…
A closer look at rising construction starts suggests it's not just luck—it's an emerging local strength. The region saw 7.8% year-over-year growth in new residential construction, a trend that defies national slowdowns. This shift may be driven by sustained retiree interest and remote work migration…
The latest data from USC Darla Moore School Division of Research shows that while home prices have surged 7% year-over-year, median household income only rose 2.5%, creating an affordability gap that could threaten long-term stability. This trend suggests the boom is driven more by speculative inves…
The latest Richmond Fed data shows the region outpacing national price growth at 7.3%, suggesting a shift in buyer behavior. While other coastal markets see more affluent migration, the Grand Strand's affordability and education infrastructure are drawing a different demographic—families seeking acc…
It’s not just supply and demand—it’s a reflection of broader national trends in retirement migration and how monetary policy impacts regional real estate. According to USC Darla Moore School Division of Research, Horry County saw 7.2% year-over-year price growth in August 2026—exceeding the national…
The Richmond Fed reports a 7.4% year-over-year price increase in Horry County — but new permits are not keeping pace with demand. What does this mean for buyers and sellers?
Source: Richmond Fed · Published August 27, 2026
https://www.richmondfed.org/
Watch the video: https://alex-companies.com/po…
Despite strong demand, median home prices remain below national averages. But new listings above $500K are limiting accessibility for middle-income buyers. Data from USC Darla Moore School Division of Research shows 60% of new listings exceed this threshold.…
New data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond shows a surge in home price growth—7.8% year-over-year in Georgetown County, outpacing the national average by 3 points. This shift is being driven by remote workers and retirees seeking affordable coastal living with access to amenities and lower c…
A key indicator shows a slowdown in price growth — what does this mean for buyer behavior and investment strategies? The median home price in Georgetown County rose 4.2% year-over-year, down from 7.8% in 2024. This suggests that the rapid appreciation may be moderating due to shifting buyer sentimen…
Despite a 3.2% year-over-year drop in sales volume, median prices remain steady at $385K. Horry County's inventory has dropped to a 18-month low, while first-time buyers now represent only 31% of transactions—down from 42% in 2023. These shifts highlight how affordability and buyer behavior are resh…
A key indicator of market imbalance shows that inventory dropped by 3.4% year-over-year, far outpacing the state average of 1.8%. This data from the USC Darla Moore School Division of Research highlights tightening conditions in the region and could point to rising buyer pressure. How is this affect…
The Horry County Council's new $100M investment incentives, combined with the launch of an AI-driven tool, are driving economic growth and enhancing property values. These developments are expected to attract more tech-savvy buyers and boost the local market. For more, check out the Horry County Cou…
With median home prices reaching $413K and AI-powered valuation tools enhancing transaction efficiency, the market is booming. Additionally, the integration of smart home technology is adding value to properties. Dive deeper into how these innovations are reshaping the Grand Strand's housing landsca…
The real estate market shows signs of improvement with increased demand and sales. Median home prices have increased to $413K, indicating a growing demand in the area. The strong tourism industry and steady economic growth are key drivers of this recovery.…
This surge in approvals for new housing projects across the state begs the question: What does this mean for future housing supply in the Grand Strand? While increased permitting suggests more homes on the horizon, how quickly will this translate into tangible inventory for Horry and Georgetown coun…
The latest data from FRED shows the 30-year fixed mortgage rate holding at 7.15% as of August 13, 2026. This sustained level for borrowing costs is undeniably influencing purchasing decisions and market dynamics across Horry and Georgetown counties.
We're seeing a clear shift in buyer behavior, wit…
For our Grand Strand communities in Horry and Georgetown counties, this figure raises critical questions about housing accessibility. Is new construction truly serving the needs of our diverse population, or is it widening the affordability gap? This isn't just a market trend; it's a fundamental cha…
But what does this mean specifically for the Grand Strand? While statewide growth is encouraging, the local impact hinges on the types of housing being authorized and their alignment with the region's diverse needs. Are we seeing enough single-family homes to meet demand, or is multi-family developm…
Census Bureau report, "New Residential Construction, July 2026," published today, August 12, 2026 [BREAKING], reveals a significant national trend: a 15.2% year-over-year increase in multi-family housing starts for July 2026, while single-family starts remained largely unchanged. This national shift…
New 2026 rankings from Niche reveal that Georgetown County stands out as one of the best places to live in the state, securing a top-20 position. This isn't just about scenic beaches; it's about a combination of lifestyle, amenities, and community appeal that makes the area highly desirable. What fa…
A new U.S. News & World Report ranking, published today, August 10, 2026, sheds light on the region's appeal. It highlights Myrtle Beach, Horry, and Georgetown counties with an impressive 7.2/10 overall livability score, driven by strong desirability, value, and economic factors.…
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's 'Fifth District Housing Market Update: Q2 2026' offers fresh insights into what's driving values in Myrtle Beach, Horry, and Georgetown counties. We're seeing a median home price of $385,000, underscoring persistent demand against constrained inventory. What ar…
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's 'Regional Economic Survey: Q2 2026 Housing Trends', published today, August 8, 2026, sheds light on residential development in coastal South Carolina. We're seeing a steady 8.5% year-over-year increase in building permits across Horry and Georgetown counties, s…
According to the newly released 'Best Places to Live in South Carolina 2026-2027' by U.S. News & World Report, Myrtle Beach has secured a significant position, reflecting its strong performance in value, desirability, and job market health. This recognition for Horry and Georgetown Counties highligh…