Moving to Socastee, SC: Living in Socastee Guide

Socastee is where a lot of Grand Strand locals actually live. This unincorporated community in Horry County sits just west of Myrtle Beach International Airport, between US-17 and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, with the Intracoastal Waterway running right through it. You get a historic swing bridge, boat ramps and river access, established neighborhoods and prices that run below the beachfront towns.

Socastee suits working families, first-time buyers, military retirees and anyone who wants to be about 12 minutes from Myrtle Beach without living in the tourist traffic. It is younger and more family-oriented than the retirement towns to the south, and it has a well-regarded high school with an International Baccalaureate program. Like the rest of Horry County, it is growing, so knowing which roads jam up at rush hour will make your life easier.

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

Where Is Socastee?

Socastee is a Census-designated place (CDP) in southern Horry County. Visit Myrtle Beach describes it as just west of Myrtle Beach International Airport, between US-17 and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. Red Hill borders it to the north, and the Intracoastal Waterway cuts through the community, crossed by the historic Socastee Swing Bridge.

The main roads are SC-544 (Dick Pond Road), SC-707 and Socastee Boulevard, which connect to US-17. Approximate driving distances:

Myrtle Beach: about 7 miles, roughly 12 minutes
Surfside Beach: about 7 miles, roughly 12 minutes
Conway: about 15 miles, roughly 23 minutes
Charleston: about 92 miles, roughly 1 hour 56 minutes

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is right next door, which is handy for frequent travelers and visiting family.

Socastee has deep roots. The name is Indigenous, and it appears as “Sawkastee” in a 1711 land grant to Percival Pawley. A skirmish between small American and British forces took place near Socastee Creek in 1781. By the 1870s, the community was a busy center for naval stores such as turpentine and tar, with a sawmill, turpentine distilleries, a cotton gin, a grist mill, a cooper shop and a general store. Today that history is preserved in the Socastee Historic District, while the rest of the community has filled in with subdivisions, shopping centers and schools.

Socastee Population & Demographics

Socastee has grown steadily for decades. It had 14,295 residents in 2000, 19,952 in 2010 and 22,213 at the 2020 Census. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 survey estimates about 23,796 people today. The median age of 43.3 is younger than the Myrtle Beach metro area’s 48.7, and about 18.7% of residents are under 18.

Measure	Socastee CDP	South Carolina	United States
Population (2020 Census)	22,213	5,118,425	331,449,281
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	43.3	40.2	38.9
Residents 65 and older	20.8%	21.1%	18.9%
Median household income	$62,257	$69,324	$80,734
Per capita income	$33,347	$39,236	$44,673
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	21.8%	32.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	65.9%	71.9%	65.2%
Persons in poverty	12.6%	13.3%	10.2%
Mean travel time to work	20.6 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).

Socastee has about 9,131 households averaging 2.60 people each, larger than the beach towns nearby, which reflects its many families. It is home to 2,108 veterans, and 9.7% of residents were born outside the United States. The CDP covers 13.37 square miles of land with about 1,662 people per square mile.

Is Socastee Safe?

We did not find a recent, reliable crime data source specific to Socastee, so we won’t quote one. Because Socastee is unincorporated, the Horry County Police Department covers it. If you have questions about a particular subdivision or street, the department is the place to ask. It’s also smart to drive a neighborhood at rush hour and on a weekend night, and to talk to a neighbor or two, before you commit.

Cost of Living in Socastee

Home Prices

Socastee is one of the more affordable places to buy near Myrtle Beach. The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $234,200 (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.

Recent sales are higher than that survey figure, as they are across the region. Redfin reports that the median sale price across the 29588 ZIP code, which covers Socastee and nearby areas, was about $343,000 over the three months through August 2026, down 3.1% from a year earlier. The price per square foot rose 5.2% to $190. Homes took a median of 80 days to sell, compared with 91 days a year earlier, and sold for about 98.0% of list price. Monthly owner costs are modest: the Census median is $1,358 with a mortgage and $410 without one.

Rent

About a third of Socastee households rent, so there are more rental options here than in the beach retirement towns. The Census median gross rent is $1,246 a month, slightly above the state median of $1,180 and below the U.S. median of $1,413. We could not find a current Zumper or similar rent report specific to Socastee, so check current listings for the neighborhood you want. If you’re moving into an apartment, we can supply a free certificate of insurance if your complex requires one.

Best Neighborhoods in Socastee

Historic Socastee and the Swing Bridge

The oldest part of the community sits around the Socastee Swing Bridge and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Socastee Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, and the area was once a center for turpentine and tar production. Homes near the waterway suit boaters, anglers and people who like older lots with trees. Ask about flood history and insurance for any property close to the water.

The Dick Pond Road and Socastee Boulevard Corridor

SC-544 (Dick Pond Road) and Socastee Boulevard are Socastee’s everyday corridor, with shopping, restaurants and Socastee High School. Subdivisions off these roads suit families who want short school runs, quick access to US-17 and the airport, and a commute to Myrtle Beach or Surfside of about 12 minutes. Expect heavier traffic at school drop-off and rush hour.

Near Socastee Recreation Park

Neighborhoods on the south end of the county near Enterprise Road and Butler Road are close to Socastee Recreation Park, a 91.5-acre county park with multipurpose fields, a disc golf course, trails and a playground. This side suits active families and anyone who wants youth sports and green space nearby, while still being a short drive to the beach.

Weather & Climate

Socastee shares the Grand Strand’s humid subtropical climate. At nearby 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 falling a few times a decade.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 and peaks around September 10, according to the National Hurricane Center. Even inland from the beach, Socastee’s location along the Intracoastal Waterway and near the Waccamaw River means heavy rain and storm surge can flood low areas. Horry County’s Know Your Zone program splits the county into evacuation zones A, B and C, and Zone C includes areas between US-701 and SC-544. Look up your exact address on the county’s interactive map.

Best months to move: April, May, October and November. Early mornings are best in summer to beat the heat and afternoon thunderstorms.

Things to Do in Socastee

The Socastee Swing Bridge

Built in 1935, the Socastee Swing Bridge is one of only ten swing bridges left in South Carolina, according to Visit Myrtle Beach. It still swings open on a regular schedule to let boats pass on the Intracoastal Waterway. Watching it open is a small local ritual, and the area around it is the center of the community’s history.

Socastee Heritage Festival

Every April, the Socastee Heritage Festival celebrates local history with food, crafts, live music and family activities near the swing bridge. It is one of the best ways for newcomers to meet neighbors.

The Intracoastal Waterway

Socastee is a waterway town rather than a beach town. Jet ski rentals and river tours make it easy to get on the water, and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge to the west, established in 1997, protects coastal river habitat for fishing, paddling and wildlife watching.

Socastee Recreation Park

At 7485 Butler Road, this 91.5-acre Horry County park has multipurpose fields, picnic areas, a disc golf course, trails and a playground. It hosts tournaments and is a weekend hub for families on the south end of the county.

Freewoods Farm

Freewoods Farm, at 9515 Freewoods Road in the nearby Burgess community, describes itself as the only African-American historical living farm museum in the United States. It preserves the history of African-American family farms, and it sells sugar cane syrup made on the farm in late fall.

The Beach

The beaches at Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach are each about 12 minutes away, so an evening walk on the sand is an easy trip.

Where to Eat in Socastee

River City Café

Visit Myrtle Beach names River City Café as a go-to spot in Socastee, and the local burger chain’s Socastee location is at 5835 Dick Pond Road. It opens daily at 11 a.m. and bills its burgers as world famous.

Nacho Hippo at The Market Common

A short drive east, Nacho Hippo at 1160 Farrow Parkway in The Market Common serves Mexican food, nachos and margaritas. The Market Common is a shopping and dining district in Myrtle Beach.

Crabby Mike’s

For a big seafood night out, Crabby Mike’s at 290 US-17 Business North in Surfside Beach has been serving for 36 years and is known for its seafood buffet. It opens at 4 p.m. daily and is about 12 minutes from Socastee.

Jobs & Economy

Socastee residents have one of the shortest commutes in the area, at an average of 20.6 minutes, because so many jobs are close by in Myrtle Beach, Surfside and the airport area. Tourism, health care and retail are all major employers, and 59.0% of residents 16 and older are in the civilian labor force.

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), the City of Myrtle Beach (1,050), Kyocera AVX (1,000), HTC (650) and Apollo Valves/Conbraco (425). Conway, home to several of them, is about 23 minutes away.

Schools in Socastee

Socastee is served by Horry County Schools, which has more than 47,000 students and is South Carolina’s third-largest school district. Schools in the Socastee area include Socastee Elementary, Socastee Middle and Socastee High School. Assignments depend on your exact address, so use the district’s Find My School tool before you buy or sign a lease.

Socastee High School, at 4900 Socastee Boulevard, enrolled 1,712 students in 2023–2024. It has been an International Baccalaureate World School since January 1997 and also offers AP courses. Its teams are the Braves.
Socastee Library is a branch of the Horry County Memorial Library.
Coastal Carolina University in Conway reported a record preliminary enrollment of 11,881 students for fall 2025.

Socastee Quick Facts

County	Horry County
Type of community	Unincorporated; Census-designated place
Population (2020 Census)	22,213
ZIP code	29588
Area code	843
Land area	13.37 square miles
Main roads	SC-544 (Dick Pond Road), SC-707, Socastee Boulevard, US-17
Nearest airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR)
Public schools	Horry County Schools
Police	Horry County Police Department

Moving to Socastee: Tips From Our Crew

Plan around the swing bridge. The Socastee Swing Bridge opens on a schedule for boat traffic. If your route crosses it, build in a few extra minutes or use another crossing so the truck isn’t sitting in a line.
Time your move around school traffic. Dick Pond Road and Socastee Boulevard back up at school drop-off and pickup. We like to start early and schedule long carries before the afternoon rush.
Know your evacuation zone. Look up your address on Horry County’s Know Your Zone map before hurricane season. If you’re moving between August and October, keep a backup date. A & M never charges a rescheduling fee.
Beat the heat. July highs average near 88°F with high humidity. Morning moves are easier on everyone, and we’ll protect wood and electronics from moisture during the move.
Get apartment paperwork early. Many complexes want a certificate of insurance and a reserved loading area. We provide the COI free; just send us the property manager’s requirements a few days ahead.
Use the space you gain. Socastee homes often have garages and bigger yards than beach condos. If you’re downsizing into Socastee from a larger home, or upsizing and waiting on furniture, our Socastee moving crew can pair your move with short-term storage or junk removal so you only unpack what you want.
Flood-check the lot. Homes near the waterway and the refuge can see water in heavy rain. Ask the seller for flood history, and keep boxes off garage floors after the move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Socastee

How much does it cost to hire movers in Socastee?

Your price depends on the size of your home, distance, stairs and any packing, storage or specialty items like a piano or safe. The easiest way to know is to call 910-758-0081 or request a free quote online. An owner calls you back within 15 minutes, 8am to 8pm, and there’s never a fee to reschedule.

Is Socastee part of Myrtle Beach?

No. Socastee is an unincorporated community and Census-designated place in Horry County, so it has no city government. Many addresses use a Myrtle Beach mailing address with the 29588 ZIP code, and county services, including the Horry County Police Department, cover the area.

Is Socastee a good place for families?

Many families choose it. Households are larger than in the nearby beach towns, and Socastee High School has been an IB World School since 1997. Socastee Recreation Park, the library branch and a short drive to the beach round it out.

How far is Socastee from the beach?

About 12 minutes. Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach are each roughly 7 miles away by road, so you can live away from tourist traffic and still get to the sand quickly.

Can A & M help with a long-distance move to Socastee?

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 from door to door and a guaranteed delivery date. Military families get 5% off.

Move to Socastee With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. Our Socastee 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, with claims resolved in 60 to 90 days.

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

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