Carolina Forest, SC

Full City Profile · South Carolina · Horry County County

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
26,373 Population 1,568/sq mi density
$70,647 Median Income $38,209 per capita
$298,700 Home Value $318,683 Zillow
$1,567 Median Rent 28.9% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$70,647 median income, 8.4% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$298,700 home value, $1,567/mo rent
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
34.2% bachelor's degree or higher

Carolina Forest, SC

At a Glance

Median Income
$70,647
6% below
$38,209 per capita
Home Value
$298,700
6% above
Zillow: $318,683
Median Rent
$1,567/mo
35% above
28.9% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
34.2%
1% above
94.6% high school+
Unemployment
8.4%
133% above
10.9% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
30.6%
5% below
13.4% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
62°F

How Carolina Forest Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Carolina Forest's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
94%
Home Value
106%
Rent
135%
Poverty
88%
Bachelor's
101%
Unemployment
233%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Carolina Forest a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.7 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Carolina Forest residents earn a median household income of $70,647 , which is 6% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $38,209. The unemployment rate stands at 8.4% (133% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 10.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 12,484 business establishments, including 1,398 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Carolina Forest is $298,700 , 6% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $318,683. Median rent is $1,567/month, with 28.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 93.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 2006.

Education

34.2% of adults in Carolina Forest hold a bachelor's degree or higher (1% above the national average). 94.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.7/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Carolina Forest has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Data Overview

People

Population26,373
Median Age37.6 yrs
Density1,568/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born11.8%
Veterans6.3%

Economy

B
Median Income$70,647
Per Capita$38,209
Unemployment8.4%
Poverty10.9%
County GDP$22,774M
Avg Weekly Wage$924

Housing

A
Home Value$298,700
Rent$1,567
Ownership69.4%
Zillow$318,683
Housing Units10,127
Rent Burden28.9%

Health

Obesity30.6%
Diabetes10.0%
Smoking13.4%
Heart Disease5.1%
Premature Death11,747/100K

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
Rain53.6 in/yr
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation28 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+34.2%
High School+94.6%
Graduate+11.0%
School Score5.7/10

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute22 min
Broadband94.1%
Internet Speed198 Mbps
EV Stations35
Libraries12

Did You Know?

The median home in Carolina Forest was built in 2006.
The nearest airport is Myrtle Beach International (6 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.448 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
10.9% of the population has a disability.
11.8% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 198 Mbps.
There are 1,398 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 78 fatal vehicle crashes.