Sunset Beach, NC
Full City Profile · North Carolina · Horry County County
3.6
/5.0
B+
Good
4,326
Population
640/sq mi density
$84,934
Median Income
$57,493 per capita
$354,300
Home Value
$439,312 Zillow
$541
Median Rent
17.9% income on rent
63°F
Avg Temperature
107
Violent Crime/100K
966 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$84,934 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$354,300 home value, $541/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
107 violent crimes/100K
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
39.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Sunset Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.5 inches. The area receives 0.5 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.4°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Area | 7.3 sq mi (19.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 640/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.8948°N, 78.5050°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Horry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Myrtle Beach International (MYR) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0446 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 7.8 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 65.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 6.9 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 9.7 in | Wettest |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 3.7 in |
Sunset Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (9.7") and April the driest (3.5").