Moving to Burgess, SC: Living in Burgess Guide

Burgess is the fast-growing stretch of southern Horry County along SC-707, between the Waccamaw River and the US-17 Bypass. A farming crossroads a generation ago, it is now mostly suburban, with master-planned communities, golf, a strong cluster of St. James schools, and a short drive to Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach and Garden City.

Burgess suits families who want newer homes and good access to the beach without living in the tourist zone, and retirees who want a golf-course address with room for visiting grandkids. It also works well for people who commute to Myrtle Beach, Conway or the Georgetown County side of the Grand Strand. The trade-off for all that growth is traffic on 707 and plenty of HOA rules, so it pays to know the area before you choose a street.

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

Where Is Burgess?

Burgess is an unincorporated community in southern Horry County, running along South Carolina Highway 707 toward the Horry–Georgetown county line. It covers roughly 28 square miles, with the Waccamaw River on the west and the US-17 Bypass on the east. SC-707 and SC-31 (the Carolina Bays Parkway) are the main roads.

Key distances and connections:

Myrtle Beach: about 13 miles by road
Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach and Garden City: just east of Burgess across the US-17 Bypass
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): the closest commercial airport, with more than 50 nonstop destinations on 10 airline partners

Burgess is still partly rural. Large tracts of land remain undeveloped, keeping some of the countryside character that came before the subdivisions. The Burgess Community Center sits on SC-707 near Mt. Zion Church and St. James Middle School, just down the road from St. James High School.

The community started out as Marlow, named for its first postmaster, John W. Marlow, who was appointed in 1880. William Burgess became postmaster in 1887 and had the name changed to Burgess in 1906. He held the job until his death in 1934.

Burgess Population & Demographics

Burgess is not a city or a census-designated place, so the Census Bureau does not publish figures for it directly. According to the Greater Burgess Community Association, the community had roughly 3,000 people in 1990 and about 25,000 by 2010.

For current numbers, the best available proxy is ZIP code 29588, which covers Burgess along with neighboring areas such as Socastee. Keep in mind that the ZIP is larger than Burgess itself.

Measure (ACS 2020–2024)	ZIP 29588	Horry County	South Carolina
Population	52,609	383,016	5,296,225
Median age	45.7	48.7	40.2
Residents 65 and older	23.0%	26.4%	—
Median household income	$70,739	$66,880	$69,324
Per capita income	$38,551	$38,025	$39,236
Bachelor’s degree or higher (25+)	26.2%	27.1%	32.1%
Owner-occupied homes	77.8%	77.3%	71.9%
Persons below poverty line	9.1%	13.2%	14.1%
Mean travel time to work	21.8 min	23.1 min	25.6 min

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, via Census Reporter. Community history figures from Wikipedia, citing the Greater Burgess Community Association.

The growth story is the big one here. Burgess was an African American farming community in the late 1890s, and it stayed largely rural for most of the 20th century. Since 1990, numerous master-planned communities have been built, turning it into a predominantly suburban area.

The ZIP has about 20,500 households averaging 2.6 people, a little larger than the county average of 2.4. That fits what you see on the ground: a mix of young families in newer subdivisions and retirees in golf communities.

Is Burgess Safe?

We did not find a reliable, recent crime data source specific to Burgess, so we are not going to quote one. Because Burgess is unincorporated, the Horry County Police Department covers it. The department divides the county into five precincts for quicker service. For a particular subdivision, ask the HOA and the precinct about recent concerns, and drive the neighborhood on a weeknight and a weekend.

Cost of Living in Burgess

Home Prices

Across ZIP 29588, the Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $267,700 (2020–2024). That is a little above the South Carolina median of $259,000 and below the Horry County median of $287,700.

Recent sales run higher than those survey values. Redfin reports a median sale price of $343,257 in 29588 for the three months ending August 2026, down 3.1% from a year earlier, with 362 homes sold and a median of 80 days on the market. Homes typically sell for about 2% below list price. Some Burgess addresses use the 29576 ZIP instead, where Redfin’s median for the same period was $394,829. Golf-course and newer homes in master-planned communities sit at the upper end of the range.

Rent

The median gross rent in ZIP 29588 is $1,282 a month (2020–2024), close to the Horry County median of $1,255 and above the state median of $1,180. Most rentals here are single-family homes and townhomes rather than large apartment complexes, so start your search early if you need a specific school zone.

Best Neighborhoods in Burgess

Burgess changed from rural to suburban as master-planned communities went up after 1990. Three of the best known:

TPC Myrtle Beach Area

The neighborhoods around the TPC Myrtle Beach golf course, off TPC Boulevard near the Georgetown County line, suit golfers and buyers who want a polished, amenity-rich setting. The course itself is open to the public. Note that Horry County’s hurricane plan includes the area between the Georgetown County line, TPC Boulevard, Hwy 707 and Hwy 17 in evacuation Zone B, so check your exact address on the county map.

Blackmoor

Blackmoor is one of the master-planned communities that turned Burgess suburban after 1990. Communities like it appeal to retirees and move-up buyers who want an established neighborhood away from the main tourist corridors, with the beach still a short drive east. Ask about HOA rules on parking, trucks and moving hours before you book.

Laurel Woods

Laurel Woods is another established master-planned community in Burgess. Neighborhoods like this generally suit families who want sidewalks, community amenities and a short drive to the St. James schools. Look closely at HOA dues, what they cover, and any rules on fences, sheds and parking before you commit.

Weather & Climate

Burgess has a humid subtropical climate. The closest long-term normals are for Myrtle Beach (NOAA 1991–2020):

January: average high 55.5°F, average low 33.6°F
July: average high 87.4°F, average low 71.6°F
Rainfall: about 53.6 inches a year; September is the wettest month at 6.77 inches, with July close behind at 6.61

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and the National Hurricane Center puts the peak on September 10. Parts of Burgess fall in a hurricane evacuation zone, and low areas near the Waccamaw River can flood in heavy rain, so look up your address on Horry County’s Know Your Zone map.

With January highs averaging in the mid-50s, winter is usually mild enough for a comfortable move, and it is the quietest season on the roads.

Best time to move: Spring (March to May) and fall (October to early December) offer comfortable temperatures. Summer is busy with vacation traffic, and late summer overlaps with peak hurricane season.

Things to Do in Burgess

TPC Myrtle Beach

This Tom Fazio-designed, 18-hole, par-72 course is open to the public. Tom Watson, Lee Trevino and Gary Player are among the legends who have played it. For golfers, living near TPC is a big part of the appeal of Burgess.

Murrells Inlet MarshWalk

Just across the US-17 Bypass, the MarshWalk is a half-mile wooden boardwalk along a saltwater estuary in the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet. It is lined with waterfront restaurants and bars, and the live music is free. It is the go-to spot for a night out without driving into Myrtle Beach.

Huntington Beach State Park

This 2,500-acre coastal park near Murrells Inlet offers a wide, uncrowded beach, some of the best bird-watching on the East Coast, surf fishing and 173 campsites. Atalaya, the Huntingtons’ winter home built during the Great Depression, sits inside the park.

Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens, just south of Murrells Inlet, opened in 1932 on the site of four former rice plantations. The 9,100-acre property includes themed sculpture gardens, the Lowcountry Zoo and nature trails.

Socastee Recreation Park

Horry County Parks and Recreation lists Socastee Recreation Park among its largest facilities. It is a short drive north of Burgess and a good option for youth sports and open space. County parks are open from dawn to dusk unless an event is scheduled.

Where to Eat in Burgess

Drunken Jack’s (Murrells Inlet)

At 4031 US-17 Business on the MarshWalk, Drunken Jack’s is a seafood restaurant with views over the marsh, a trivia night on Thursdays and an easy drive from most Burgess neighborhoods.

Wicked Tuna (Murrells Inlet)

Wicked Tuna, at 4123 US-17 Business on the MarshWalk, serves seafood, steaks and sushi with views over the inlet. It takes online reservations, which is worth doing on summer weekends.

River City Cafe (Dick Pond Road)

This Grand Strand burger restaurant has several locations from Murrells Inlet to North Myrtle Beach. The one at 5835 Dick Pond Road (SC-544) in the 29588 ZIP is the handiest for Burgess residents, and it is a good casual pick for moving-day takeout.

Jobs & Economy

Most Burgess residents commute, and the ZIP’s average commute of 21.8 minutes is shorter than the state average. The Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation lists Horry County’s largest employers as:

Horry County School District: about 6,400 employees
Coastal Carolina University: about 2,700
Horry County Government: about 2,650
Conway Medical Center: about 1,800
McLeod Seacoast: about 1,700
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center: about 1,300
City of Myrtle Beach: about 1,050
Kyocera AVX (electronics manufacturing): about 1,000

Tourism and health care are major parts of the local economy. With a median household income of $70,739 and a poverty rate of 9.1%, the 29588 ZIP is a bit more affluent than the county as a whole. Burgess’s location also puts the Georgetown County side of the Grand Strand, including Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, within easy reach for work.

Schools in Burgess

Burgess is served by Horry County Schools, the third-largest district in South Carolina, with more than 45,000 students (2018–19) in 56 schools. The district is organized into nine attendance areas, and the schools in Burgess are part of the St. James attendance area. Schools in and around the community include:

Burgess Elementary
St. James Elementary and St. James Intermediate
St. James Middle School
St. James High School

Assignments go by street address, and fast growth means lines can change, so check the district’s “Find My School” tool for any home you are considering. For college, Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College are both in Conway, and HGTC also has a Grand Strand Campus in Myrtle Beach.

Burgess Quick Facts

County	Horry County
Type	Unincorporated community
Original name	Marlow (renamed Burgess in 1906)
ZIP codes	29576, 29588
Area code	843
Area	Roughly 28 square miles
Main roads	SC-707, SC-31 (Carolina Bays Parkway), US-17 Bypass
Nearest commercial airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR)
School district	Horry County Schools (St. James attendance area)
Law enforcement	Horry County Police Department

Moving to Burgess: Tips From Our Crew

Read the HOA rules first. Many Burgess communities have rules on moving hours, where trucks can park and how long a moving container can sit in the driveway. Some gated communities need your mover’s name in advance. Send us the rules and we’ll plan around them.
Time your trip around 707 traffic. SC-707 carries a lot of commuter and school traffic. We try to schedule arrivals outside the morning and afternoon school rush when we can.
Check your evacuation zone. Some Burgess neighborhoods fall in Horry County’s Zone B. If you are moving between mid-August and mid-October, keep important papers and medications in your car, not on the truck.
Plan for new construction delays. Builders in fast-growing areas often push closing dates. Our storage service can hold your belongings until your home is ready, and we never charge a rescheduling fee.
Protect golf carts and garage gear. Golf carts, bikes and garage workshops are common here. Let us know about them when you book so we can bring the right equipment.
Get your COI early. Some gated communities and clubhouses ask movers for a certificate of insurance before they will let a truck through the gate. We provide COIs free, so just send us the requirements.
Beat the heat. July highs average in the upper 80s with high humidity. Morning start times, working air conditioning at the new house and plenty of water make summer moves go smoother.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Burgess

How much does it cost to hire movers in Burgess?

It depends on the size of your home, the distance, access at both ends (stairs, HOA rules, gated entries), packing and the date. A townhome move within Horry County is priced very differently from an out-of-state move into a golf community. The quickest way to know is a free quote: call 910-758-0081, and an owner will call you back, typically within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

Is Burgess the same as Myrtle Beach?

Not exactly. Many Burgess homes have a “Myrtle Beach” mailing address, but Burgess is an unincorporated community in Horry County, about 13 miles from Myrtle Beach by road. That means county services and the Horry County Police Department, not the City of Myrtle Beach.

What schools serve Burgess?

Burgess schools belong to the St. James attendance area of Horry County Schools, which includes Burgess Elementary, St. James Elementary, St. James Intermediate, St. James Middle and St. James High. Always confirm a specific address with the district’s “Find My School” tool before you buy or sign a lease.

How far is Burgess from the beach?

Close. The beaches at Surfside Beach, Garden City and Huntington Beach State Park are just east of Burgess across the US-17 Bypass. Summer traffic on the Bypass and Business 17 can slow you down on weekends, so many locals head out early.

Can you move us from out of state into Burgess?

Yes. For long-distance moves, we give you a binding estimate, so your price never changes after you book. You get your own dedicated truck, the same W-2 crew from door to door, and a guaranteed delivery date. Military families get 5% off, and we handle military moves too. Ask our Burgess movers about moving into the area from out of state.

Move to Burgess With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our 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 60–90 days. We handle packing and unpacking, local moves across the Grand Strand and pianos and safes. Learn more about our Burgess movers, or call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081.

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