Moving to Conway, SC: Living in Conway Guide

Conway is the Grand Strand’s river town. About 15 miles inland from Myrtle Beach, it sits on the Waccamaw River with oak-lined streets, a 1.5-mile Riverwalk and a historic Main Street full of locally owned shops and restaurants. It is also the county seat of Horry County, home to Coastal Carolina University, and it is growing fast.

Conway suits people who want to be close to the beach without living in a tourist area. Young families, CCU faculty and students, county and hospital employees, and buyers looking for more home for the money all end up here. Home prices and rents run well below the oceanfront towns, and the beach is still a short drive away. Growth has also brought more traffic and new subdivisions, so it pays to know the area before you pick a street.

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

Where Is Conway?

Conway is in the center of Horry County, about 14 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It was founded in 1732 as Kingston under Royal Governor Robert Johnson’s township plan, later renamed Conwayborough to honor General Robert Conway, and shortened to Conway in 1883. Carolina Forest and Myrtle Beach lie to the east, toward the coast.

Approximate driving distances:

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): about 14.1 miles, roughly 21 minutes
Carolina Forest: about 14.8 miles, roughly 19 minutes
Columbia, SC: about 124 miles, roughly 2 hours 43 minutes

Three U.S. highways run through Conway: US-501 (the main route to Myrtle Beach), US-701 and US-378. The Coast Regional Transit Authority (Coast RTA) provides bus service, and the city has a small regional airport for private aircraft. For commercial flights, Myrtle Beach International advertises more than 50 nonstop destinations on ten airlines.

Conway Population & Demographics

Conway is growing quickly. The city had 17,103 residents at the 2010 Census and 24,849 at the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau estimates it reached 30,627 by July 2025, a 22.2% jump in just over five years. With a university in town, Conway is also much younger than the beach cities around it: the median age is 32.5.

Measure	Conway	South Carolina	United States
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	30,627	5,570,274	341,784,857
Population (2020 Census)	24,849	—	331,449,281
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	32.5	—	—
Residents 65 and older	16.8%	21.1%	18.9%
Median household income (2020–2024)	$56,650	$69,324	$80,734
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	19.6%	32.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	65.4%	—	65.2%
Mean travel time to work	24.0 min	25.6 min	26.4 min

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2020–2024 American Community Survey); median age from Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year); 2010 count from Wikipedia.

The Census Bureau reports a 21.0% poverty rate for Conway and a per capita income of $26,388. Those citywide numbers cover a wide range of neighborhoods, from student rentals near campus to large homes on golf courses, so look closely at the specific area you are considering.

A few more Census details: Conway has 1,450 veterans, 4.3% of residents were born outside the United States, and about 65% of homes are owner-occupied, almost exactly the national rate. The city covers 23.6 square miles of land, and at the 2020 Census it had roughly 1,053 people per square mile, so most neighborhoods still have a small-town pace.

Is Conway Safe?

Crime in Conway, as in most cities, depends a lot on the specific neighborhood. We did not find a recent, reliable data source worth quoting, so the best approach is to check the streets you are considering directly. The Conway Police Department is the place to ask about a particular area, and homes outside city limits fall under the Horry County Police Department. Visit a neighborhood on a weeknight and a weekend before you commit.

Cost of Living in Conway

Home Prices

Conway is one of the more affordable places to buy in the Myrtle Beach metro. The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $260,900 (2020–2024), right in line with the South Carolina median of $259,000 and well below the U.S. median of $332,700. For recent sales, Redfin reports a median sale price of $286,835 in August 2026, down 1.8% from a year earlier. Homes took a median of 86 days to sell, and the median price per square foot was $166.

Redfin rates Conway “somewhat competitive.” Homes typically sell for about 2% below asking and get about one offer. That gives buyers some room, but well-priced homes in popular neighborhoods still move.

Rent

Rent is where Conway really stands out. The median gross rent is $866 a month (2020–2024), compared with $1,180 statewide and $1,413 nationally. Expect more competition for rentals near Coastal Carolina University in late summer, when students arrive for the fall semester.

Best Neighborhoods in Conway

Historic Downtown Conway

The streets around Main Street and Kingston Street have older homes with real character, sidewalks and oak canopies, and you can walk to the Riverwalk, restaurants and shops. It suits buyers who value walkability and charm and are ready for some work. Older homes here often need HVAC, electrical or kitchen updates, so budget for a thorough inspection.

Wild Wing Plantation

Wild Wing Plantation is a large golf community in Conway with lakes, a clubhouse and a pool complex with water slides. Housing ranges from townhomes to custom waterfront homes. It suits families and golfers who want amenities close to home. Note that school assignments can vary depending on which entrance your street is near, so verify your address with the district.

Hillsborough and the SC-544 Corridor

Hillsborough is a mature master-planned community off SC-544, with walkable streets and a community pool. The 544 corridor gives a shorter commute toward the south end of Myrtle Beach and to Coastal Carolina University. The trade-off is traffic on SC-544 during school drop-off and pickup hours. It suits commuters and families who want an established neighborhood.

Other areas to consider: Newer subdivisions such as Carsens Ferry and Astoria Park, where builders including Lennar, D.R. Horton and Beazer have been active, offer new construction with lower maintenance. The trade-off is smaller lots and HOA dues. West of town, the Highway 905 and Burning Ridge area has ranches and custom homes on lots from half an acre to several acres, plus the Burning Ridge golf course. Buyers there get more space in exchange for longer school bus rides and drives into town.

Weather & Climate

Conway has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Based on 1991–2020 normals for the Conway station, January highs average about 58.1°F with lows near 35.2°F. July is hotter than on the coast, with average highs around 90.8°F and lows near 72.4°F. The city gets about 55 inches of precipitation a year.

Compared with the Myrtle Beach weather station, Conway runs warmer in both seasons. Average January highs are about 58.1°F in Conway versus 55.5°F on the coast, and average July highs are about 90.8°F versus 87.4°F. Without the ocean breeze, summer afternoons inland feel noticeably hotter, which matters when you are carrying boxes.

Being inland does not take Conway out of hurricane country. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 and peaks around September 10, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Waccamaw River can rise after major storms, so ask about a home’s flood history, especially near the river. Horry County’s “Know Your Zone” map shows evacuation zones A, B and C.

Best months to move: March through May and October through November. If you are moving near campus, avoid the start and end of the semester, when student move-ins add traffic.

Things to Do in Conway

Conway Riverwalk

The Riverwalk runs about 1.5 miles along the Waccamaw River on boardwalk and paved path. The trailhead off 2nd Avenue, just off US-501, has parking, restrooms, a playground and picnic areas. It is handicap accessible, dog friendly and free, with scenic observation points over the river along the way. Locals use it for morning walks, jogging and evening strolls before dinner downtown.

Horry County Museum and L.W. Paul Living History Farm

The Horry County Museum is at 805 Main Street downtown. Its L.W. Paul Living History Farm, on 17 acres at 2279 Harris Short Cut Road, shows what farm life in Horry County looked like from 1900 to 1955. The farm is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 4pm, with free guided tours Saturday mornings.

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1997, the refuge protects river swamps and blackwater creeks along the Waccamaw. It offers paddling through cypress trees, interpretive trails, a mountain bike trail and a boardwalk at Cox Ferry Lake. More than 200 bird species have been recorded, including swallow-tailed kites.

Downtown Shopping

Main Street and the blocks around it are lined with independent stores. Visit Myrtle Beach’s Conway guide points to Black Water Market, Papa’s General Store and Conway Glass as good places to start. Shopping downtown is also the easiest way to learn the neighborhood and meet local business owners in your first few weeks.

Downtown Events

Downtown Conway stays busy all year. Conway Riverfest is held in summer around Independence Day, a weekly farmers market runs in summer, and “A Rivertown Christmas” fills the holiday season. The historic Theatre of the Republic is another downtown landmark worth a visit.

Coastal Carolina Sports and Culture

With Coastal Carolina University in town, residents have easy access to college games, lectures and performances. It is one of the perks of living in the county’s college town.

Where to Eat in Conway

Rivertown Bistro

Chef Darren Smith and his wife Cyndi opened Rivertown Bistro on June 7, 1994, and it is still a downtown favorite at 1111 3rd Avenue. The seasonal menu mixes Southern tradition with creative twists. It is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Bonfire – A Smokin’ Taqueria

Bonfire serves smoked meats and tacos, including vinegar-based pulled pork, on the Waccamaw River in downtown Conway. It is a good first-week dinner spot after a long day of unpacking.

The Trestle Bakery and Café

On Main Street, the Trestle Café (308 Main) serves Southern-style breakfast and lunch, and the Trestle Bakery (322 Main) bakes pastries, donuts, cakes and daily sourdough. The bakery opens at 6:30am on weekdays, which helps on moving day.

Jobs & Economy

As the county seat and a university town, Conway has a more year-round job base than the beach cities. Several of Horry County’s largest employers are based here or nearby. According to the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation, they include:

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

Coastal Carolina University reported a preliminary fall 2025 enrollment of 11,881 students, a 6.2% increase over the prior year’s record. Tourism still shapes the wider regional economy, and many Conway residents commute toward Myrtle Beach for work. The average commute for Conway workers is 24 minutes.

Schools in Conway

Horry County Schools runs public education in Conway. The district serves more than 47,000 students in 58 schools, and Conway High School serves the city’s attendance area. Students countywide can apply to district programs such as Scholars Academy, the Academy for Arts, Science & Technology and Early College High School. Because attendance lines can be tricky here (Wild Wing is one example), check any address with the district’s “Find My School” map.

For higher education, Conway has two options: Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College, whose Conway Campus is at 2050 Highway 501 East.

Conway Quick Facts

County	Horry County (county seat)
Founded	1732, as Kingston
ZIP codes	29526, 29527, 29528
Area codes	843, 854
Nearest commercial airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR), about 14 miles
Main highways	US-501, US-701, US-378
Land area	23.60 square miles
Population (2025 estimate)	30,627
Colleges	Coastal Carolina University; Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Moving to Conway: Tips From Our Crew

Avoid SC-544 at school hours. Traffic on 544 backs up around school drop-off and pickup. Schedule your crew’s arrival mid-morning, or plan for extra drive time if you are moving into Hillsborough or nearby neighborhoods.
Watch the CCU calendar. The start and end of each semester bring heavy traffic and full parking lots near campus. If you are moving near the university, pick dates outside those weeks.
Ask about river flooding. Homes near the Waccamaw can see high water after major storms. Ask sellers and neighbors about past flooding, and if a storm is forecast near your move date, have a backup plan and a flexible mover.
Check gate rules in golf communities. Wild Wing and other gated neighborhoods may have rules about truck access and moving hours. Call the HOA before moving day so the crew isn’t held at the gate.
Plan for older-home quirks downtown. Historic homes can have narrow doorways, tight staircases and small driveways on oak-lined streets. Measure big furniture and let us know about low branches or tight turns so we bring the right truck.
Beat the inland heat. Conway’s July highs average above 90°F. Start early, keep water on hand for everyone, and have the air conditioning running before the first box comes in.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Conway

How much does it cost to hire movers in Conway?

It depends on the size of your home, the distance, access (stairs, long driveways, gates), packing and the date. A student apartment move and a four-bedroom house in Wild Wing are priced very differently. 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 Conway cheaper than Myrtle Beach?

Generally, yes. Census figures put Conway’s median home value at $260,900 and median rent at $866, compared with $388,800 and $1,261 in Myrtle Beach. You trade oceanfront access for more space and lower costs, with the beach still a short drive away.

How far is Conway from the beach?

Conway is about 14 to 15 miles inland. US-501 is the main route to Myrtle Beach, and it is worth allowing extra time on summer weekends when beach traffic is heavy.

Is Conway a good place for families?

Many families think so. The median age is 32.5, neighborhoods like Wild Wing and Hillsborough offer pools and community amenities, and the Riverwalk, museum farm and wildlife refuge give kids plenty to do. Check school assignments by address, since lines can vary.

Can you help me move a student into or out of CCU housing?

Yes. Our Conway moving crews handle small moves and local moves of all sizes across Horry County, from dorm-sized loads to full households. We can also hold belongings in storage over the summer between semesters.

Move to Conway 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 help with packing and unpacking, long-distance moves into South Carolina and office moves for local businesses. See how our Conway movers can help, or call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081.

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