Moving to Red Hill, SC: Living in Red Hill Guide

Red Hill is the stretch of Horry County between Conway and Socastee, running along SC-544 with the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge on its western edge and US-501 cutting across its north end. It isn’t a town with a Main Street. It’s a fast-growing collection of neighborhoods where people live because it puts them in the middle of everything: Coastal Carolina University, the Conway hospital and county offices, and Myrtle Beach about 12 miles to the southeast.

Red Hill suits commuters, Coastal Carolina faculty and staff, young families, and buyers looking for a newer house at a price the beach towns can’t match. Most homes are owner-occupied, prices sit below the state median, and the commute is short in almost every direction. The trade-off is traffic on SC-544 and US-501, which is worth understanding before you pick a street.

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

Where Is Red Hill?

Red Hill is a Census-designated place (CDP) in south-central Horry County. The city of Conway, the county seat, borders it to the north, and Socastee borders it to the south. US-501 passes through the northern part of Red Hill, linking Conway with Myrtle Beach, and SC-544 runs the length of the community from Conway down to Socastee. The west side of Red Hill borders the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.

Red Hill doesn’t have a single ZIP code of its own. Addresses use several: 29526, 29527, 29579 and 29588. Approximate driving distances:

Conway: about 8 miles, roughly 16 minutes
Myrtle Beach: about 12 miles, roughly 21 minutes
Columbia: about 142 miles, roughly 2 hours 41 minutes

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is the nearest commercial airport, and it’s an easy drive down US-501 or SC-544.

Because Red Hill sits between the county seat and the coast, it works as a crossroads. Conway’s historic downtown, the Riverwalk and Horry County’s government offices are a short drive north, Socastee and the Intracoastal Waterway are to the south, and the beach is to the southeast. For many households, that means one person can commute to Conway and another to Myrtle Beach without either drive being long.

Red Hill Population & Demographics

Red Hill has grown by about half in two decades. It had 10,509 residents in 2000, 13,223 in 2010 and 15,906 at the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 survey estimates about 15,920 people now. The median age is 46.9, a bit younger than the Myrtle Beach metro area’s 48.7, and household incomes are close to the state and metro averages.

Measure	Red Hill CDP	South Carolina	United States
Population (2020 Census)	15,906	5,118,425	331,449,281
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	46.9	40.2	38.9
Residents 65 and older	23.0%	21.1%	18.9%
Median household income	$68,250	$69,324	$80,734
Per capita income	$34,060	$39,236	$44,673
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	21.7%	32.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	74.5%	71.9%	65.2%
Persons in poverty	19.1%	13.3%	10.2%
Mean travel time to work	21.5 min	25.6 min	26.4 min

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census and 2020–2024 American Community Survey); median ages from Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year).

Housing in Red Hill has kept pace with the population. At the 2020 Census, the homeowner vacancy rate was just 1.8%, while the rental vacancy rate was 10.4%, which suggests owner-occupied homes were in tight supply while renters had more choice.

Red Hill has about 6,438 households averaging 2.45 people each, and it is home to 984 veterans. At the 2020 Census, the CDP had 7,293 housing units, and 23.5% of households had children under 18. The land area is 11.04 square miles, with about 1,441 people per square mile. The poverty rate is higher than the state’s, so incomes vary quite a bit from one neighborhood to the next; look closely at the specific subdivision you’re considering.

Is Red Hill Safe?

We did not find a recent, reliable crime data source specific to Red Hill, so we won’t guess. Red Hill is unincorporated, so the Horry County Police Department serves it, while addresses inside Conway city limits are served by the Conway Police Department. Check which agency covers the address you’re considering and ask about that neighborhood directly. Driving the area at night and on a weekend is also a good idea.

Cost of Living in Red Hill

Home Prices

Red Hill is one of the more affordable places to buy between Conway and the coast. The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $249,500 (2020–2024), below the South Carolina median of $259,000, the Myrtle Beach metro median of $287,700 and the U.S. median of $332,700. Monthly owner costs are low, with a Census median of $1,283 with a mortgage and $398 without one.

Red Hill doesn’t have its own Redfin market report, but the southern part of the community shares the 29588 ZIP code with Socastee. There, Redfin reports a median sale price of about $343,000 over the three months through August 2026, down 3.1% from a year earlier, with homes selling in a median of 80 days and for about 98.0% of list price. Newer construction usually runs above the Census median, so compare homes of the same age.

Rent

About a quarter of Red Hill households rent. The Census median gross rent is $1,179 a month, almost exactly the South Carolina median of $1,180 and below the U.S. median of $1,413. Rentals near Coastal Carolina University turn over heavily in late summer, so start your search early if you need a lease that begins in August. We could not find a current Zumper or similar rent report specific to Red Hill.

Best Neighborhoods in Red Hill

North Red Hill, Near US-501 and Coastal Carolina

The north end of Red Hill sits along US-501, close to Coastal Carolina University’s campus on Chanticleer Drive in Conway. This area suits university faculty and staff, graduate students and anyone who wants a quick trip to Conway’s hospital, county offices and downtown. Expect more rentals and more traffic when classes are in session, and a busier US-501 on summer weekends as beach traffic heads to Myrtle Beach.

The SC-544 Corridor

SC-544 runs the length of Red Hill, and many of the area’s subdivisions sit just off it. This middle section suits commuters who split their time between Conway and the coast, and families who want a newer house with a yard. It is a practical, central location, though rush-hour traffic on 544 is part of the deal. Visit at 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. before you buy.

West Red Hill, Near the Waccamaw Refuge

The west side of Red Hill borders the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, which protects coastal river habitat. Homes on this side tend to feel quieter and more wooded. It suits people who fish, paddle, hunt or just want nature out the back door. Low-lying land near the river can flood in heavy rain, so check flood maps and insurance quotes carefully.

Weather & Climate

Red Hill has the same humid subtropical climate as the rest of the Grand Strand. At Myrtle Beach International Airport, 1991–2020 normals show January highs around 55.7°F with lows near 36.7°F, and July highs near 87.6°F with lows near 73.7°F. Annual precipitation averages about 48.5 inches. Snow is very rare, with a trace a few times each decade.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 and peaks around September 10, according to the National Hurricane Center. Being inland doesn’t make you immune: tropical storms bring heavy rain that can flood low areas, especially near the river and the refuge. Horry County’s Know Your Zone program divides the county into evacuation zones A, B and C, and Zone C includes areas between US-701 and SC-544. Check your exact address on the county’s interactive map.

Best months to move: April, May, October and November. Try to avoid the weeks when Coastal Carolina students move in before the fall semester, when US-501 and SC-544 near campus get crowded.

Things to Do in Red Hill

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

Established on December 1, 1997, the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge was created to protect and manage habitat within coastal river ecosystems. It offers hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and its land borders Red Hill’s west side, so it’s practically in the neighborhood.

Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina University, at 100 Chanticleer Drive East in Conway, reported a record preliminary enrollment of 11,881 students for fall 2025. For neighbors, it means college athletics and campus events a few minutes from home.

The Conway Riverwalk

Just north in downtown Conway, the Riverwalk is an easy 1.5-mile round-trip boardwalk and paved path along the Waccamaw River. It connects to downtown’s shops and restaurants and is a favorite for evening walks.

Horry County Bike & Run Park

In nearby Carolina Forest, this county park along the Intracoastal Waterway has 7 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails on 70 acres, with elevation changes you won’t find elsewhere in the county. Its parking area is the first official East Coast Greenway trailhead in South Carolina.

The Beach

Myrtle Beach is about 21 minutes away by car, so a beach day is easy without living in the tourist traffic.

Where to Eat in Red Hill

Red Hill is mostly residential, so locals head a few minutes north to downtown Conway or south along SC-544 for a meal out.

Rivertown Bistro

In Conway’s historic downtown, Rivertown Bistro opened on June 7, 1994, and is known for creative dishes and strong service. It survived a 2008 fire and reopened in February 2009 with community support. There’s a two-tiered main dining room, a private upstairs room and happy hour Tuesday through Saturday.

The Trestle Bakery and Café

At 308 Main Street in downtown Conway, the Trestle Café serves Southern-inspired breakfast and lunch, and the Trestle Bakery a few doors down at 322 Main Street is known for sourdough bread, cakes, pastries and donuts.

River City Café

River City Café is a local burger chain with a location at 5835 Dick Pond Road (SC-544) at the Socastee end of the corridor and another at 328 Laurel Street in Conway. Both open daily at 11 a.m.

Jobs & Economy

Red Hill’s location is its biggest economic advantage. The average commute is just 21.5 minutes, and many of Horry County’s largest employers are nearby. The Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation lists the county’s top 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), the City of Myrtle Beach (1,050), Kyocera AVX (1,000), HTC (650) and Apollo Valves/Conbraco (425).

Coastal Carolina University, the Horry County government offices in Conway and Conway Medical Center are all a short drive north, which makes Red Hill popular with education, government and health care workers. Tourism and retail jobs in Myrtle Beach are about 20 minutes away.

Schools in Red Hill

Red Hill is served by Horry County Schools, which has more than 47,000 students and is South Carolina’s third-largest school district. Because Red Hill sits between Conway and Socastee, attendance zones don’t follow the CDP boundary, so use the district’s Find My School tool to check the schools for a specific address before you buy or rent.

For higher education, Coastal Carolina University is right next door in Conway, with a record preliminary enrollment of 11,881 students for fall 2025.

Red Hill Quick Facts

County	Horry County
Type of community	Unincorporated; Census-designated place
Population (2020 Census)	15,906
ZIP codes	29526, 29527, 29579, 29588
Area code	843
Land area	11.04 square miles
Main roads	SC-544, US-501
Nearest airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR)
Public schools	Horry County Schools
Nearby university	Coastal Carolina University

Moving to Red Hill: Tips From Our Crew

Stay clear of CCU move-in. When Coastal Carolina students move in before the fall semester, the roads around campus fill with trailers and rental trucks. If you can, schedule your move a week before or after.
Book mornings on SC-544. Commuter traffic on 544 is heaviest in the morning and late afternoon. An early start gets the truck loaded and moving before the rush.
Watch US-501 on summer weekends. US-501 is a main route to Myrtle Beach, and it gets crowded when vacation rentals turn over. A weekday move usually goes faster.
Check the ZIP code and the jurisdiction. Red Hill uses several ZIP codes, and some nearby addresses are inside Conway city limits. That affects utilities, trash pickup and which police department serves you, so confirm before you set up services.
Take flooding seriously near the river. Low-lying homes near the Waccamaw can flood in heavy rain. Ask for flood history, and don’t store boxes on the garage floor.
Moving a student or a whole house, plan it the same way. Whether it’s a one-bedroom near campus or a family home off 544, our Red Hill moving crew needs to know about stairs, long walks from the truck and any gate or HOA rules before moving day. A quick call up front saves time on the day.
Keep a backup date in hurricane season. If you’re moving between August and October, keep your plans flexible. A & M never charges a rescheduling fee.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Red Hill

How much does it cost to hire movers in Red Hill?

It depends on the size of your home, the distance, access at both ends and any packing, storage or specialty items. A student apartment and a four-bedroom house are very different jobs. Call 910-758-0081 or request a free quote online, and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

Is Red Hill part of Conway?

No. Red Hill is an unincorporated Census-designated place in Horry County that borders Conway to the north. Many residents use a Conway or Myrtle Beach mailing address, and the area uses the ZIP codes 29526, 29527, 29579 and 29588.

Is Red Hill a good place to live near Coastal Carolina University?

For many faculty, staff and graduate students, yes. The north end of Red Hill sits near US-501 and the university, rents are near the state median, and Conway’s downtown and hospital are close. Expect busier roads when classes are in session.

How far is Red Hill from the beach?

Myrtle Beach is about 12 miles away, roughly a 21-minute drive depending on traffic. That makes the beach an easy trip while you live away from the tourist crowds.

Can A & M move me to Red Hill from another state?

Yes. Our long-distance moves include a binding estimate, so the price never changes after booking. You get your own dedicated truck, the same W-2 crew door to door and a guaranteed delivery date. Military families get 5% off.

Move to Red Hill With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. Our Red Hill movers are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. Under 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, with claims resolved in 60 to 90 days.

We handle local moves, apartment moves, packing and unpacking, storage, junk removal and office moves. Call 910-758-0081 or visit our Red Hill moving page.

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