Myrtle Beach is the center of the Grand Strand area, a stretch of beach that is one of the top tourist destinations in the state. However, an estimated 14 million people visit this beautiful beach city every year.

Myrtle Beach Population Statistics and Economy

The city’s economy revolves around the tourism industry. Hotels, resorts, and almost 100 golf courses are just a few of the things that fuel this city’s economy. Manufacturing is also an important industry, producing such products as foam, plastic, rubber, and ceramic.

Myrtle Beach Population Growth

Since the first census taken in 1940, the city of Myrtle Beach has primarily seen growth every ten years. The population jumped significantly from 1970 to 1980, rising from over 8,500 to over 18,000. The city did see a decline at the time of the 2000 census, dropping by over 8%.

However, the population was on the rise again at the time of the 2010 census. The census grew by over 19% between 2000 and 2010 to over 27,000. The population has already increased by almost 19% since the last count, according to recent estimates. Looking at this data show that this city is only going to continue to get more significant in terms of its population.

The Waccamaw Tribe were the earliest inhabitants of Myrtle Beach. The first Europeans did not arrive until the late 18th century. Unfortunately, there are not many records of this time period, so the actual history had to be pieced together using land grant documents.

Early settlers grew indigo and tobacco. However, the sandy soil resulted in few crops that were of much lower quality than crops grown in other areas. What is now known as the Grand Strand was mostly unsettled before the American Revolution. Once colonies began to gain their independence, the area still remained unsettled.

Growth began in the last 1800s with the arrival of the railroad, which transported timber from the coast to inland cities. Lumber and railroad workers would travel to the local beaches when not at work, marking the early beginnings of Myrtle Beach as a tourist spot. At the beginning of the 20th century, the idea formed to make the region a tourist destination. The area was named in 1900, and the name is based on the Southern Wax Myrtle, which grows in the region. Myrtle Beach was incorporated in 1938 as a town. It gained status as a city in 1957.

Throughout the years, the city has become a popular spot for tourists from all over the state, nation and worldwide. Approximately 14 million tourists visit Myrtle Beach each year. The city’s beach is lined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and other attractions including shopping centers and amusement parks. The city is a popular spot for special conventions and events. It is also a popular destination for cyclists who attend motorcycle rallies annually.