Moving to Longs, SC: Living in Longs Guide

Longs is the inland side of North Myrtle Beach living. This unincorporated community in northern Horry County grew up around the crossroads of SC-9 and SC-905, and today it is mostly subdivisions, country roads, small shopping centers and river landings on the Waccamaw. Many people who work or play in North Myrtle Beach choose Longs because the homes are newer, the lots are bigger and the prices are lower than they are near the ocean.

Longs suits young families, first-time buyers, retirees who want a yard instead of a condo, and anyone who likes to fish or boat on the river. The beach is about 15 minutes away, and Conway is about half an hour in the other direction. You do give up walkability: nearly every errand here means a drive.

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

Where Is Longs?

Longs sits north and inland of Myrtle Beach at the intersection of SC-9 and SC-905. The community takes its name from the Long family, who built many of its early public buildings, including a Baptist church. The Waccamaw River runs along the edge of the community, and SC-31 (the Carolina Bays Parkway) and SC-90 connect it to the rest of the Grand Strand.

Approximate driving distances from Longs:

Little River: about 10 miles, roughly 15 minutes
North Myrtle Beach: about 11 miles, roughly 15 minutes
Conway: about 20 miles, roughly 29 minutes
Myrtle Beach: about 26 miles, roughly 32 minutes
Wilmington, NC: about 58 miles, roughly 1 hour 9 minutes

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is the nearest commercial airport and advertises more than 50 nonstop destinations on 10 airlines. SC-31 is the fastest way to reach Myrtle Beach and the airport without sitting in US-17 beach traffic.

Longs Population & Demographics

Longs is not a city or a census-designated place, so the Census Bureau does not publish figures for “Longs” itself. The two closest geographies are the 29568 ZIP code (ZIP Code Tabulation Area) and the Longs census county division, a larger statistical area of Horry County. Both are shown below so you can see the general picture. The ZIP code area is home to about 17,100 people, with a median age of 53.

Measure (ACS 2020–2024)	ZIP 29568	Longs CCD	South Carolina	United States
Population	17,097	10,737	5,296,225	334,922,500
Median age	53.0	49.4	40.2	38.9
Residents 65 and older	29.2%	26.7%	18.9%	17.2%
Median household income	$62,653	$62,785	$69,324	$80,734
Per capita income	$34,885	$36,547	$39,236	$44,673
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	20.0%	17.7%	32.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied homes	85.4%	82.1%	71.9%	65.2%
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$254,900	$255,000	$259,000	$332,700

Sources: Census Reporter and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. ZIP and county-division boundaries do not match the community exactly.

The 29568 ZIP code covers 89.5 square miles, with about 191 people per square mile, so it is far less crowded than the beach towns. Homeownership is high: about 85% of occupied homes are owner-occupied. The area has about 1,770 veterans, the poverty rate is 11.6%, and the mean commute is 22.3 minutes.

Is Longs Safe?

We could not find a published crime report specific to Longs, and because the community is unincorporated it does not have its own police department. The Horry County Police Department patrols unincorporated Longs. For recent incident information on a particular neighborhood, contact the department, and ask neighbors or the HOA about their experience before you commit to a street.

Cost of Living in Longs

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index for Longs was about $285,812 in August 2026, down 1.8% from a year earlier. That is below the South Carolina typical value of about $306,323 and well below the U.S. figure of about $368,697. It is also lower than nearby Little River, where Zillow’s index was about $322,487. The Census Bureau’s median value for owner-occupied homes in the 29568 ZIP code is $254,900 (2020–2024).

Much of the housing in Longs is newer single-family construction in subdivisions off SC-9 and SC-90, along with older homes on larger rural lots. A market that has cooled slightly over the past year gives buyers a little more room to negotiate.

Rent

Rentals are harder to find because so few homes are rented. Zillow’s Observed Rent Index for ZIP 29568 was about $1,815 a month in August 2026, up 5.3% from a year earlier. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent for the ZIP code is $1,823, well above the South Carolina median of $1,180, which reflects how many rentals here are newer single-family homes rather than apartments.

Best Neighborhoods in Longs

The SC-9 Corridor

SC-9 is Longs’ main street. Shopping centers, restaurants, gas stations and service businesses line the highway, and subdivisions branch off both sides. Living near SC-9 puts you about 15 minutes from North Myrtle Beach and gives you the easiest access to SC-31. It suits commuters and families who want a newer home with everyday errands close by. Hwy Nine Grillhouse is right on the highway.

The SC-90 Side

SC-90 connects Longs with Conway and the North Myrtle Beach area, and restaurants and small shops have followed the rooftops along it. Bistro 90 sits on this road, and Horry County’s Popular Park is at 8531 Highway 90. This area suits buyers who want a quieter setting than SC-9 with reasonable access to both the beach and Conway.

Near the Waccamaw River

Parts of Longs back up to the Waccamaw River. Horry County runs Chris Anderson Landing on SC-9 and Danny Knight Landing (Red Bluff Landing) on SC-31, and Simpson Creek Park is on Loop Circle. Buyers here get more land, more trees and quick river access. It is a good fit for boaters, anglers and anyone who wants a rural feel, but check the flood maps and flood insurance cost carefully before you buy near the river.

Weather & Climate

Longs does not have its own long-term weather station, so we use NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Myrtle Beach, about 26 miles away. Being inland, Longs can feel a little hotter on summer afternoons than the oceanfront, but the overall pattern is the same humid subtropical climate.

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
Yearly rainfall: about 53.6 inches (sum of the monthly normals)

Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Inland communities along the Waccamaw River can see river flooding after heavy rain upstream, sometimes days after a storm has passed. Horry County Emergency Management publishes evacuation zones through its Know Your Zone program and tracks local river gauges.

Best months to move: April, May, October and early November. If you move in summer, schedule an early start to beat the heat and the afternoon thunderstorms.

Things to Do in Longs

The Waccamaw River

The Waccamaw is Longs’ backyard. Chris Anderson Landing (1112-E Highway 9) and Danny Knight Landing, also called Red Bluff Landing (204 Highway 31), are both Horry County boat landings on the river in Longs. Fishing, paddling and pleasure boating are everyday weekend plans here.

Simpson Creek Park and Popular Park

Horry County Parks and Recreation runs two parks in Longs: Simpson Creek Park at 1420 Loop Circle and Popular Park at 8531 Highway 90. County parks are open from dawn until dusk unless a special event is scheduled.

North Strand Recreation Center

About 15 minutes away in Little River, the county’s North Strand Recreation Center (120 S. Highway 57) has a full-size gym, indoor walking track, fitness room, climbing wall and outdoor multi-purpose fields. It is the closest county rec center for most Longs families.

Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens

Also in Little River, Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens covers more than 115 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway with about 3 miles of trails and boardwalks. A segment of the colonial Kings Highway still survives on the property.

North Myrtle Beach

The beach is roughly 15 minutes away. North Myrtle Beach is where Longs residents go for the ocean, the fishing piers and the summer events, and it is close enough for an after-work walk on the sand.

The Loris Bog-Off Festival

The nearby city of Loris holds its Bog-Off Festival on the third Saturday of every October (October 17 in 2026). The Loris Chamber of Commerce says it draws more than 35,000 people for a chicken bog cooking contest, two stages of live music and more than 100 craft vendors. It is a good way to meet your new neighbors in the northern part of the county.

Where to Eat in Longs

Bistro 90

Bistro 90, on SC-90, is Longs’ steakhouse. It bills itself as an award-winning steakhouse, restaurant and bar for the Longs and North Myrtle Beach area, with a gluten-free menu, a wine list and a private dining room for groups.

Hwy Nine Grillhouse

Hwy Nine Grillhouse, at 1800 Highway 9, is a casual diner with daily specials, a happy hour and live music. It offers online ordering, which is handy on a night when every box in the kitchen is still taped shut.

Chris’ Pizza & Pub

Chris’ Pizza & Pub, at 170 Surfrider Boulevard, is a family-friendly New York-style pizzeria with a full bar and sports on TV. It takes online orders and is an easy pick for feeding a moving crew of friends.

Jobs & Economy

Longs is mainly a bedroom community. Most working residents commute to North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Conway or Little River for jobs in tourism, health care, retail, construction and public services. The average commute for the 29568 ZIP code is 22.3 minutes.

According to the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation, Horry County’s largest employers are 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), the City of Myrtle Beach (1,050), Kyocera AVX (1,000) and HTC (650). Conway, home to CCU and Conway Medical Center, is about 29 minutes from Longs.

Health care is the other big employer close to home. McLeod Health Loris, in nearby Loris, has 50 patient beds and more than 120 physicians on its active and affiliate medical staff, and McLeod Seacoast is one of the largest employers in Horry County.

Schools in Longs

Horry County Schools serves all of Longs. The district has 58 schools in nine attendance areas, including Loris and North Myrtle Beach, serves more than 47,000 students, and is South Carolina’s third-largest district. Depending on the address, Longs students may be zoned to different attendance areas, so use the district’s Find My School map to confirm your elementary, middle and high school before you buy or sign a lease.

For college and career training, Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s Conway campus is at 2050 Highway 501 East, and Coastal Carolina University is also in Conway.

Longs Quick Facts

County	Horry County
Type of community	Unincorporated community (no city government)
ZIP code	29568
Area code	843
Main roads	SC-9, SC-31, SC-90, SC-905
River	Waccamaw River
Nearest commercial airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR)
School district	Horry County Schools
Law enforcement	Horry County Police Department

Moving to Longs: Tips From Our Crew

Measure the driveway and check the road. Some Longs homes sit on long gravel or dirt driveways and rural roads. Tell us about narrow roads, soft ground or low branches so we can plan the right truck size and avoid getting stuck after rain.
Check the flood map near the river. Homes near the Waccamaw can be in a flood zone. Look up your property on FEMA’s flood map and get a flood insurance quote before you close.
Know your HOA rules. Many newer subdivisions off SC-9 and SC-90 have HOAs with rules on truck parking, PODs and move hours. Get them in writing before move day.
Use SC-31 for Myrtle Beach trips. The Carolina Bays Parkway keeps you off US-17. Our crews use it to keep moves between Longs and Myrtle Beach or Carolina Forest on schedule.
Watch the weather in hurricane season. From June through November, keep a backup date. Rivers can stay high for days after heavy rain upstream, so check road conditions before the truck rolls, even when the sun is out.
Moving into new construction? Confirm your closing and certificate of occupancy before you book the truck. If dates slip, our storage service can hold your things until the house is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Longs

Is Longs, SC a town?

No. Longs is an unincorporated community in Horry County, so county government handles zoning, roads and law enforcement. It does not have a Census population of its own. The 29568 ZIP code, which covers Longs and the surrounding area, had about 17,097 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 survey.

How far is Longs from the beach?

North Myrtle Beach is about 11 miles from Longs, roughly a 15-minute drive. Myrtle Beach is about 26 miles away, around 32 minutes. Traffic on summer weekends can add time, especially near US-17.

Are homes cheaper in Longs than in North Myrtle Beach?

Generally, yes. Zillow’s Home Value Index for Longs was about $285,812 in August 2026, compared with about $322,487 in nearby Little River. The Census Bureau’s median owner-occupied home value for the 29568 ZIP code is $254,900 (2020–2024), just under the state median.

How much does it cost to hire movers in Longs?

It depends on the size of your home, how far you are going, long driveways or stairs, and any packing or storage you need. The best way to know 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. Long-distance moves come with a binding estimate. You can also read more about our Longs movers.

What schools serve Longs?

Longs is served by Horry County Schools, South Carolina’s third-largest district with more than 47,000 students. Attendance zones vary by address, so check the district’s Find My School map for your exact street before you buy or rent.

Move to Longs With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers is family-owned and has been moving Grand Strand families since 2015. Our North Myrtle Beach and Calabash crews are close by, and every mover is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor. 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 junk removal. Visit our Longs movers page or call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081.

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