Moving to Aynor, SC: Living in Aynor Guide

Aynor is a small farm town in northwestern Horry County, about 15 miles up US-501 from Conway and 29 miles from Myrtle Beach. It started out as Eyknor’s Farm in the mid-1800s, grew after a rail line arrived from Conway, and was incorporated in 1913. For most of the last century it was a center for turpentine, tobacco and cotton. Today it’s known for its own elementary, middle and high schools, its fall Harvest Hoe-Down Festival and a pace of life that feels a long way from the beach traffic.

Aynor is growing. The town went from 560 residents in 2010 to 974 in 2020. It suits families who want a close-knit school community, buyers who want land or a quieter subdivision, and anyone who works in Conway or along the 501 corridor. The beach is still under an hour away.

Planning a move to Aynor? Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081 or get your price online.

Where Is Aynor?

Aynor sits along US-501 in northwestern Horry County, just south of Galivants Ferry. US-501 is the town’s lifeline: it runs southeast to Conway and Myrtle Beach and northwest to Marion.

Approximate driving distances (OpenStreetMap routing):

Conway: about 15 miles, roughly 20 minutes
Marion: about 18 miles, roughly 20 minutes
Myrtle Beach: about 29 miles, roughly 45 minutes
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): about 30 miles
Florence Regional Airport (FLO): about 37 miles
Florence: about 38 miles, roughly 50 minutes
North Myrtle Beach: about 41 miles
Charleston: about 112 miles
Columbia: about 120 miles, roughly 2.5 hours

Aynor is in the Myrtle Beach metro area but on the inland side, so you avoid most tourist traffic unless you’re heading east on 501 on a summer weekend.

Aynor Population & Demographics

Aynor counted 974 residents in 298 households at the 2020 Census, up from 560 in 2010. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) estimate is about 1,112. For a town this small the ACS numbers have wide margins of error, but they point to a place where most people own their homes and household incomes run above the county and state medians.

Measure (ACS 2020–2024)	Aynor	Horry County	South Carolina	United States
Population	1,112	383,016	5,296,225	334,922,500
Median age	40.0	48.7	40.2	38.9
Median household income	$73,984	$66,880	$69,324	$80,734
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	27.8%	27.1%	32.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied homes	75.3%	77.3%	71.9%	65.2%
Poverty rate	9.6%	13.2%	14.1%	12.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates via Census Reporter; 2010 and 2020 Census counts via Wikipedia.

At a median age of 40.0, Aynor is much younger than Horry County overall (48.7). The town covers about 1.8 square miles, and it is also home to the tribal office of the Waccamaw people.

Aynor’s civic history is long for a town its size. Gabriel Edwards was elected the first mayor when the town incorporated in 1913 and served a second, non-consecutive term after being elected again in 1923. The town still uses a mayor-council form of government today.

Is Aynor Safe?

We did not find a reliable, current crime dataset for Aynor to quote, and small-town numbers can swing a lot from year to year. For a specific address, contact the town’s police department if the home is inside town limits, or the Horry County Police Department if it’s in the unincorporated area around town. Driving the area at different times of day will tell you a lot too.

Cost of Living in Aynor

Home Prices

Aynor is one of the more affordable ways to buy in Horry County. Zillow’s Home Value Index for Aynor was about $292,422 in August 2026, up 3.9% from a year earlier. The 29511 ZIP code was about $300,115 (up 4.1%). For comparison, Horry County was about $319,813 (up only 0.2%) and South Carolina about $306,323.

The ACS puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in town at $255,700 (2020–2024), below the Horry County median of $287,700. Over the past year, Zillow’s estimates for Aynor rose much faster than the county’s.

Rent

The ACS median gross rent in Aynor was $1,160 for 2020–2024, a little below the Horry County median of $1,255. Zillow did not publish a rent index for the 29511 ZIP code, and rentals are scarce because most homes here are owner-occupied. If you’re renting, look early and check Conway listings too.

Best Neighborhoods in Aynor

In Town, Near Main Street and the Town Park

The streets around Main Street and Aynor Town Park are the center of town. The elementary and high schools are on Jordanville Road, the coffee shop is on South Main Street, and the park hosts the town’s big festival. It suits families who want a short school run and a real small-town feel.

The US-501 Corridor

Homes near US-501 give you the quickest drive to Conway and Myrtle Beach, plus the fast food and pizza places along the highway. It suits commuters who want to be on the road fast in the morning. Expect more traffic noise near the highway itself, so look a few streets back if quiet matters.

Rural Aynor and Galivants Ferry

Outside town limits, the Aynor area opens up into farmland, woods and homes on acreage, reaching north toward Galivants Ferry, which shares the 29544 ZIP code. Aynor Middle School has a Galivants Ferry address. This area suits buyers who want land, a workshop, animals or simply more distance from the neighbors. Check well, septic and internet options carefully before you buy.

Weather & Climate

Aynor has a humid subtropical climate: long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The closest NOAA normals station is in Conway, about 15 miles away. From 1991 to 2020, Conway averaged a high of 90.8°F and a low of 72.4°F in July, and a high of 58.1°F and a low of 35.2°F in January.

The station averages 55.2 inches of rain a year. Summer is the wet season: June (5.34 inches), July (6.89 inches), August (7.81 inches) and September (6.00 inches). The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Aynor is inland, but tropical storms can still bring heavy rain, wind and flooding along rivers and low-lying roads.

Month	Avg. high	Avg. low	Precipitation
January	58.1°F	35.2°F	4.28 in.
April	75.8°F	51.9°F	3.16 in.
July	90.8°F	72.4°F	6.89 in.
October	76.9°F	54.8°F	3.83 in.

Source: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, Conway station.

For moving, October through April is generally the most comfortable window. Summer moves are very doable with an early start, plenty of water and a plan for afternoon thunderstorms.

Things to Do in Aynor

Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival

Aynor’s biggest day of the year is the Harvest Hoe-Down, held on the third Saturday in September at Aynor Town Park, 600 South Main Street. It starts with a 10 a.m. parade of antique tractors, cars, bands and floats, followed by music, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, kids’ rides and festival food like chicken bog and barbecue. Visit Myrtle Beach estimates attendance at about 24,000. The 2026 festival was held on September 19.

Aynor Town Park

The town park on South Main Street hosts the Hoe-Down and other community events through the year. It’s the natural gathering place for local families.

Galivants Ferry Historic District and Stump Meeting

Just up US-501, the Galivants Ferry Historic District preserves 28 contributing buildings, including tobacco barns, packhouses and tenant houses, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The Galivants Ferry Stump Meeting, a political gathering hosted by the Holliday family, dates to 1876 and has drawn candidates for statewide office for generations. Look for the two-story white brick John Monroe Johnson Holliday House, completed in 1950, and a filling station from around 1922 along US-501. It’s a short drive that shows how tobacco shaped this corner of Horry County.

Conway Riverwalk

About 15 miles away in Conway, the Riverwalk follows the Waccamaw River through downtown on boardwalk and pavement, about 1.5 miles round trip. It has picnic areas, a playground and restrooms, it’s pet-friendly and free, and it makes an easy weekend outing.

The Grand Strand

Myrtle Beach is about 29 miles away via US-501, close enough for a beach day, a round of golf or a night out, and far enough that you come home to a quiet town.

Where to Eat in Aynor

Radd Dew’s Bar-B-Que Pit

Radd Dew opened this barbecue restaurant in 1965, and the family still runs it today from a converted elementary school building at 851 Horry Road. It’s a buffet built around vinegar-pepper pulled pork, with chicken bog, liver hash, homemade biscuits and country sides. It’s open Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch, so plan ahead.

Ned’s Sandwich Shop

Ned’s, at 500 8th Avenue, is a small-town sandwich and burger shop known for its Famous Ned’s Burger, chicken tender dinners, hot dogs and onion rings. Reviewers call it a town favorite. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and early dinner.

C3 Coffee Bar

C3 Coffee Bar, at 725 South Main Street, serves lattes, nitro cold brew and specialty drinks, and it has group seating, a quiet work area and a conference space. It opens early Monday through Saturday, handy for remote workers and early commuters.

Jobs & Economy

Aynor grew up on turpentine, tobacco and cotton, and farmland still surrounds the town. Many working residents commute down US-501 to Conway, the county seat, which is about 20 minutes away and home to county government jobs and Coastal Carolina University. Myrtle Beach’s tourism, retail and service jobs are about 45 minutes away.

Horry County Schools is one of the area’s largest employers, running 59 schools with 48,662 students according to NCES (2024–2025), and the three Aynor schools are a big part of daily life in town.

Schools in Aynor

Aynor is served by Horry County Schools, which runs all public schools in the county. The Aynor attendance area has its own elementary, middle and high school, which gives the town a strong community identity. NCES enrollment figures for 2024–2025:

Aynor Elementary School (516 Jordanville Road): about 781 students, pre-K–5
Aynor Middle School (400 Frye Road, Galivants Ferry): about 742 students, grades 6–8
Aynor High School (201 Jordanville Road): about 901 students, grades 9–12

The town also has a branch of the Horry County Memorial Library; getting a library card is an easy first errand after you move in. For college, Coastal Carolina University is in the Conway area. Always confirm school assignments for a specific address with Horry County Schools.

Aynor Quick Facts

County	Horry County, South Carolina
Incorporated	1913
ZIP codes	29511 (also 29544 in the Galivants Ferry area)
Area codes	843, 854
Land area	About 1.8 square miles
Population	974 (2020 Census)
Main highway	US-501
School district	Horry County Schools
Nearest airports	Myrtle Beach International (MYR), about 30 miles; Florence Regional (FLO), about 37 miles
Signature event	Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival (third Saturday in September)

Moving to Aynor: Tips From Our Crew

Skip Hoe-Down weekend. With roughly 24,000 visitors and a parade on Main Street, the third Saturday in September is a bad day to move in or out of town. Book a different weekend.
Describe your driveway. Rural homes around Aynor often have long gravel or dirt driveways, and some can’t handle a full-size moving truck after heavy rain. Send us photos or a description, and we’ll plan the right truck and approach.
Plan for summer heat and storms. July highs average over 90°F, and August is the wettest month. Start early, keep drinks handy, and have tarps and plastic wrap ready for a quick afternoon shower.
Keep an eye on hurricane season. If a storm is forecast, we’ll help you move your date, and there’s never a rescheduling fee. Heavy rain can close low roads near rivers, so check routes before the truck rolls.
Set up utilities and internet early. Service options vary once you leave town limits, and some rural addresses have fewer internet choices. Call providers a few weeks before moving day.
Use storage to bridge a new build. If you’re building a home and the closing slips, storage can hold your things until the house is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Aynor

Is Aynor, SC a good place to live?

For families and people who want a quiet, small-town life, Aynor is a strong option. It has its own elementary, middle and high schools, a younger population than the county, home values below the Horry County typical value and a big community festival every fall. The trade-off is fewer stores in town and a drive to Conway or Myrtle Beach for most shopping and jobs.

How far is Aynor from Myrtle Beach and Conway?

Conway is about 15 miles southeast on US-501, roughly 20 minutes away. Myrtle Beach is about 29 miles, roughly 45 minutes, and Myrtle Beach International Airport is about 30 miles. Summer beach traffic on 501 can add time on weekends.

How much do movers cost in Aynor?

The price depends on how much you’re moving, the distance, access at both homes (long driveways and stairs matter) and any packing you want. A move from Conway to Aynor costs far less than a move from out of state. For an accurate number, get a free quote. An owner calls you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

What schools do Aynor students attend?

Horry County Schools runs Aynor Elementary, Aynor Middle and Aynor High. The elementary and high school are on Jordanville Road, and the middle school has a Galivants Ferry address on Frye Road. Confirm assignments for any specific address with the district.

When is the Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down?

The festival is held on the third Saturday in September at Aynor Town Park. It opens with a parade at 10 a.m., and festival activities run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with music, crafts, food and kids’ activities. It’s a great introduction to the town, but not a good day to schedule a move.

Move to Aynor With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our NC & SC team serves Aynor and the rest of Horry County from our North Myrtle Beach and Calabash offices. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor. With the Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center; if anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days. We handle local moves, long-distance moves, packing, junk removal and heavy items like gun safes and pianos. Military families save 5%. Visit our Aynor movers page or our South Carolina hub, or call 910-758-0081.

Get My Price