Moving to Litchfield Beach, SC: Local Guide

Litchfield Beach is the quiet stretch of the Grand Strand between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island. It is a Georgetown County community, not a town, with a wide beach, marsh views on the inland side, golf courses up and down US-17, and a bike path that runs through the middle of it all. There are no high-rise hotel strips here. Most people live in beach houses, condos, villas, or single-family homes in gated and golf communities.

It suits retirees, second-home owners who are ready to make the move full time, remote workers, and families who want a slower beach town that is still about half an hour from Myrtle Beach. Nearly half of residents are 65 or older, and home prices run well above the state average, so it helps to know the numbers before you start shopping.

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

Where Is Litchfield Beach?

Litchfield Beach sits on the Waccamaw Neck in eastern Georgetown County, three miles north of Pawleys Island. It was first counted as its own census-designated place in the 2020 Census. The name comes from Litchfield Plantation, an early 18th-century rice plantation; the beach started out in the 1950s as Retreat Beach, and modern development began in the 1960s. Litchfield-By-The-Sea and North Litchfield are both part of the Litchfield Beach area. North Litchfield borders Huntington Beach State Park, and South Litchfield looks across the inlet to Pawleys Island.

Driving distances from neighboring Pawleys Island (Litchfield is just north of it, so add or subtract a few minutes depending on your street):

Murrells Inlet: about 10 miles, roughly 14 minutes
Georgetown: about 13 miles, roughly 18 minutes
Myrtle Beach: about 23 miles, roughly 32 minutes
Conway: about 32 miles, roughly 44 minutes
Charleston: about 73 miles, roughly 1 hour 31 minutes

US-17 (Ocean Highway) is the main road through the area and carries you north toward Murrells Inlet and Myrtle Beach or south to Georgetown and Charleston. For flights, Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is the closest commercial airport and advertises more than 50 nonstop destinations on 10 airline partners.

Litchfield Beach Population & Demographics

Litchfield Beach counted 8,370 residents in the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey puts it at about 9,044. It is one of the oldest and most highly educated communities on the South Carolina coast: the median age is 64.1, 48.2% of residents are 65 or older, and more than half of adults hold a bachelor’s degree.

Measure	Litchfield Beach CDP	South Carolina	United States
Population (2020 Census)	8,370	5,118,425	331,449,281
Population (ACS 2020–2024)	9,044	5,296,225	334,922,500
Median age	64.1	40.2	38.9
Residents 65 and older	48.2%	18.9%	17.2%
Residents under 18	11.8%	21.4%	22.0%
Median household income	$76,351	$69,324	$80,734
Per capita income	$56,426	$39,236	$44,673
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	52.7%	32.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied homes	83.4%	71.9%	65.2%
Mean travel time to work	21.5 min	25.6 min	26.4 min

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts and Census Reporter (American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates); 2020 counts from the decennial census.

A few more details from the same survey: Litchfield Beach has 7,000 housing units for about 9,000 people, and 2,394 of those units are held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use. That is roughly one home in three, which tells you how many neighbors are part-timers and rental owners. The poverty rate is 8.5%, the area has 862 veterans, and 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.

Is Litchfield Beach Safe?

We could not find a reliable crime report published for the Litchfield Beach CDP by itself, so we are not going to quote a number. Because Litchfield is unincorporated, law enforcement comes from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office rather than a town police department. If safety data matters to your decision, contact the Sheriff’s Office for recent incident information for the specific street you are considering, and talk to neighbors and the HOA if the home is in a gated or managed community.

Cost of Living in Litchfield Beach

Home Prices

Litchfield Beach shares the 29585 ZIP code with Pawleys Island, and that is the level where the best current price data is available. Zillow’s Home Value Index for ZIP 29585 was about $555,126 in August 2026, up 0.7% from a year earlier. For comparison, Zillow puts the typical South Carolina home at about $306,323 and the typical U.S. home at about $368,697, so you are paying a clear premium for the location.

The Census Bureau’s survey data points the same way. The median value of an owner-occupied home in the Litchfield Beach CDP is $459,000 (2020–2024), compared with $259,000 statewide and $332,700 nationally. Oceanfront and marsh-front homes and properties in gated communities sit well above those typical values, while older condos and villas away from the beach are where most buyers find lower prices.

Rent

Year-round rentals are limited because so much of the housing stock is used as vacation rentals. Zillow’s Observed Rent Index for ZIP 29585 was about $1,913 a month in August 2026. The Census Bureau reports a median gross rent of $1,704 for the Litchfield Beach CDP, compared with $1,180 for South Carolina and $1,413 for the country. Expect to look early and move quickly if you want an annual lease, especially before the summer season.

Best Neighborhoods in Litchfield Beach

North Litchfield

North Litchfield is the northern end of the beach, bordering Huntington Beach State Park. That puts you next to one of the best birding spots on the coast and a long stretch of undeveloped shoreline. It suits people who want a beach house or condo near the water and a quieter setting, and who like being a short drive from Murrells Inlet restaurants. If you are buying here, ask how the home is used now; many properties have rental histories, and that affects insurance, furnishings and how quickly you can take possession.

Litchfield-By-The-Sea

Litchfield-By-The-Sea is a gated community with private beach access to more than a mile of Atlantic shoreline and an oceanfront Beach Club with a sundeck and pavilion, according to the community association. Residents also have tennis and pickleball courts and a private pool. It suits buyers who want amenities, security and a managed community, and who are comfortable with association rules. Gated communities usually have rules about moving trucks and gate access, so check with the association before move day.

South Litchfield

South Litchfield is the end of the beach that looks across the inlet toward Pawleys Island. It is a good fit if you want to be close to the Pawleys Island shops and restaurants along US-17, and to the Hammock Shops Village. Homes here range from beach cottages to larger family houses. Families who want an easy drive to the Waccamaw schools and retirees who want quick access to Pawleys Island services both tend to look at this end of Litchfield.

Weather & Climate

There is no official weather station in Litchfield Beach, so we use the NOAA 1991–2020 normals for Myrtle Beach, about 23 miles up the coast. Expect a humid subtropical climate with long, warm summers and short, mild winters.

July: average high 87.4°F, average low 71.6°F
January: average high 55.5°F, average low 33.6°F
Wettest month: September, with 6.77 inches on average; July and August are close behind
Yearly rainfall: about 53.6 inches (sum of the monthly normals)

Snow is rare. Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1 through November 30, and Georgetown County is part of South Carolina’s coastal evacuation zone system. Look up your evacuation zone through the SC Emergency Management Division’s Know Your Zone page as soon as you have an address.

Best months to move: April, May and October usually give you comfortable temperatures and lower rain totals. Summer moves are doable, but plan around afternoon thunderstorms and heavy vacation traffic on US-17 on weekends.

Things to Do in Litchfield Beach

Litchfield Beach and the Bike Path

The beach itself is the main attraction. The Hammock Coast tourism office describes a wide stretch of open sand, and a scenic bike path that runs through the community. For many residents, a bike or golf-cart trip to the beach, the shops or a friend’s house replaces a lot of short car trips.

Huntington Beach State Park

Huntington Beach State Park, at 16148 Ocean Highway in Murrells Inlet, sits right at the north end of Litchfield. The 2,500-acre park has a large, uncrowded beach, a salt marsh that draws birdwatchers year-round, a nature center, and Atalaya, the Moorish-style winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington. The park hosts the long-running Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival each September.

Brookgreen Gardens

Just north of the state park, Brookgreen Gardens opened in 1932 on the site of four former rice plantations. The 9,100-acre property includes themed gardens filled with American figurative sculpture, the Lowcountry Zoo, and nature trails. It is the kind of place locals visit again and again, not just once when family is in town.

The Hammock Shops Village

The Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island is a cluster of locally owned shops, including The Original Hammock Shop, clothing and gift boutiques, and jewelry stores. Posted hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is a short drive from South Litchfield.

Golf

Golf is a big part of daily life on the Waccamaw Neck. Livability’s Pawleys Island guide points to courses such as Caledonia Golf & Fish Club and True Blue Golf Club as major draws for the area.

Where to Eat in Litchfield Beach

Frank’s Restaurant & Bar

Frank’s has been open since 1988 at 10434 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island. It is really two restaurants in one location, with Frank’s Restaurant & Bar, the Courtyard, and Frank’s Outback. It is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and reservations are recommended.

Chive Blossom

Chive Blossom, at 85 N. Causeway Road in Pawleys Island, is shaded by live oaks and serves Southern classics along with dishes that borrow from Mediterranean, French and Asian cooking. It is a good choice for a sit-down dinner after a long day of unpacking.

Pawleys Island Tavern (the PIT)

Pawleys Island Tavern, at 10635 Ocean Highway, is the casual option: crab cakes, shrimp, cold beer, live music and a tiki bar that opens on weekend afternoons when the weather cooperates. Check the posted hours before you go; it has been closed Sundays and Mondays.

Jobs & Economy

Litchfield Beach is mostly residential, and its economy leans on tourism, vacation rentals, golf, real estate and retiree spending. With nearly half of residents 65 or older, a large share of households are retired, and the average commute for those who do work is 21.5 minutes.

Many working residents commute north into Horry County. The Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation lists Horry County’s largest employers as Horry County Schools (6,400 employees), Coastal Carolina University (2,700), Horry County Government (2,650), Conway Medical Center (1,800), McLeod Seacoast (1,700), Grand Strand Regional Medical Center (1,300) and the City of Myrtle Beach (1,050). Georgetown, about 18 minutes south of Pawleys Island, is the Georgetown County seat and home to county government jobs and a campus of Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

Schools in Litchfield Beach

Litchfield Beach is served by the Georgetown County School District. Students on the Waccamaw Neck are generally assigned to the Waccamaw school family: Waccamaw Elementary, Waccamaw Intermediate, Waccamaw Middle and Waccamaw High. Waccamaw High opened in 1990 and enrolled 846 students in 2023–2024. Assignments depend on your address, so confirm your zone directly with the district before you sign a lease or contract.

For college, Horry-Georgetown Technical College has campuses in Georgetown, Conway and Myrtle Beach and offers more than 80 programs of study. Coastal Carolina University is in Conway, about 44 minutes from Pawleys Island.

Litchfield Beach Quick Facts

County	Georgetown County
Type of community	Unincorporated; census-designated place since 2020
ZIP code	29585 (shared with Pawleys Island)
Area code	843
Land area	11.22 square miles
Main highway	US-17 (Ocean Highway)
Nearest commercial airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR)
School district	Georgetown County School District
Law enforcement	Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office

Moving to Litchfield Beach: Tips From Our Crew

Call the gate before move day. Gated communities like Litchfield-By-The-Sea control who comes through the gate. Get the moving company added to the gate list, and ask whether the association limits truck size, parking on the street or move hours.
Plan for raised homes and stairs. Many coastal homes sit up off the ground, and some condos have long walks from the parking lot. Tell us about stairs, elevators and walk distances when you call so we send the right crew size and equipment.
Avoid summer Saturdays if you can. Vacation rentals turn over on weekends, and US-17 fills up with check-in traffic. A weekday move in late spring or fall is usually smoother.
Know your hurricane zone. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. If you are moving in August through October, keep a flexible backup date in mind and look up your evacuation zone as soon as you have an address.
Get your condo paperwork early. Condo buildings often ask for a certificate of insurance and an elevator reservation. We provide COIs for free; just send us the building manager’s contact information.
Be ready for heat and salt air. July highs average in the upper 80s. Keep electronics and wood furniture out of a hot, damp storage unit for long stretches, and ask us about climate considerations if you need storage between homes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Litchfield Beach

Is Litchfield Beach a town?

No. Litchfield Beach is an unincorporated community in Georgetown County. The Census Bureau began counting it as a census-designated place in 2020. That means county government handles services such as planning and law enforcement, and there is no town hall of its own. Many addresses use Pawleys Island and the 29585 ZIP code.

How much do homes cost in Litchfield Beach?

Zillow’s Home Value Index for ZIP 29585, which covers Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island, was about $555,126 in August 2026. The Census Bureau’s median value for owner-occupied homes in the Litchfield Beach CDP is $459,000 (2020–2024). Both are well above the South Carolina average.

Is Litchfield Beach good for retirees?

Many retirees clearly think so. According to Census survey data, 48.2% of residents are 65 or older and the median age is 64.1. The area offers golf, a bike path, a quiet beach and state parks close by, with Myrtle Beach International Airport about half an hour away for trips to see family.

How much does it cost to hire movers for Litchfield Beach?

The price depends on how much you are moving, the distance, stairs or elevators, and any packing or storage you need. The quickest way to get a real number is a free quote. Call 910-758-0081 and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. For moves from out of state, we give a binding estimate, so the price does not change after you book. You can also read more about our Litchfield Beach movers page.

What is the best time of year to move to Litchfield Beach?

Spring (April and May) and fall (October) are usually best. You avoid the peak summer rental traffic, the worst of the heat, and the wettest months. If you must move during hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30, keep your dates flexible.

Move to Litchfield Beach With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our Calabash and North Myrtle Beach crews cover the whole Grand Strand, including the Waccamaw Neck. Our movers are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center, and if anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day. We handle local moves, long-distance moves, packing and unpacking, and storage. Learn more about our Litchfield Beach movers or call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081.

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Moving to Litchfield Beach, SC: Living in Litchfield Beach Guide