Myrtle Beach growth ranked 4th in nation by data

The Grand Strand’s continuing expansion challenges planners, marketers. The area’s population grew 21 percent between 2000 and 2006.

• From 2005 to 2006, the Myrtle Beach area was the fourth-fastest-growing area in the nation, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau released today.

• The Metropolitan Statistical Area identified as Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach ranked 17th in the nation between 2000 and 2006, according to Census Bureau data.

The boom isn’t going to stop anytime soon, thanks to the region’s geography, weather, quality of life and seemingly endless supply of retiring baby boomers, experts said.

• The growth can mostly be attributed to the rapid influx of retirees, said Bob Becker, director of the Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University. Their movement has created more jobs in the service sector, bringing even more people to the area that weren’t already here.

• “It’s an attractive area, and the growth will continue,” he said. “The numbers are going to increase as we see the baby boomers retire.”

And many of them aren’t looking to retire in Florida, making the Carolinas one of the prime coastal destinations on the East Coast, he said. Since much of the land along Georgia’s coast is wetland that cannot be developed, and much of North Carolina’s coastline is protected by barrier islands, South Carolina is the next most logical option.

• “Hurricanes have gotten people thinking about a lot of issues in Florida. So, we are seeing a lot of redirection to the Carolinas,” Becker said.

• The market’s diversity is what makes the Myrtle Beach area such an attractive spot in the state, said Gary Loftus, director of the Coastal Federal Center for Economic & Community Development.

• Many retirees are looking to move to Horry County rather than Florida or the Gulf Coast because of hurricanes that have damaged those areas in recent years, said Janet Carter, county planning director.

• The shopping, beach, golfing and availability of jobs also make the Myrtle Beach area attractive to young families.

The Horry County school district expects a need for between nine and 19 new schools in the next decade to accommodate between 11,000 and 20,000 new students, according to district projections.

Locals have learned to adjust in their growing community. They enjoy the benefits the growth brings - new stores and attractions - while dealing with the drawbacks, such as busier roads and longer lines at restaurants.

Source: Dawn Bryant, Jessica Foster and Josh Hoke, The Sun News, Myrtle beach, SC