Surfside Beach, SC
Full City Profile · South Carolina · Horry County County
3.0
/5.0
B
Good
4,217
Population
2,163/sq mi density
$74,202
Median Income
$43,610 per capita
$412,100
Home Value
$362,259 Zillow
$1,274
Median Rent
30.8% income on rent
64°F
Avg Temperature
228
Violent Crime/100K
1,805 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$74,202 median income, 7.3% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.5 / 5.0
$412,100 home value, $1,274/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
228 violent crimes/100K
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
40.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Surfside Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.3 inches. The area receives 0.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.8°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 17 ft (5 m) |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,163/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.6097°N, 78.9775°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Horry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Myrtle Beach International (MYR) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 78.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
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)
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1886 | CHARLESTON, SC | Earthquake | - | - | 124 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 49°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 71°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 6.1 in | |
| September | 74°F (24°C) | 7.1 in | Wettest |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 5.1 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 4.6 in |
Surfside Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 47°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.3 inches, with September being the wettest month (7.1") and November the driest (3.0").