City Information

Population (year 2000): 10,974
Est. population in July 2002: 12,018 (+9.5% change)
Males: 5,473 (49.9%)
Females: 5,501 (50.1%)
Elevation: 8 feet
County: Horry
Land area: 13.0 square miles
Zip codes: 29582.

In 1968, four small beach towns - Windy Hill Beach, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive Beach and Cherry Grove Beach - located on the northern edge of the Grand Strand, joined forces to form the City of North Myrtle Beach. Their goal was simply this: provide unmatched services to its residents and tourists; create a unique, safe beach community; and offer a place with superb recreation and vacation facilities. The plan was a great success. Now, more than 30 years later, the City of North Myrtle Beach is home to over 12,000 permanent residents, and many others call it home during vacations and weekend trips throughout the year. The reasons are not hard to find.

The birthplace of the Shag, the official South Carolina State Dance, the Ocean Drive section, known by the locals as the "OD", is the host of two, week long "migrations" of shaggers in April and September. Sponsored by the SOS (Society of Stranders) group, the events bring thousands of devotees of this unique dance to Main Street to shag, party and visit with old friends. A dance born on the beach that combines fancy footwork, smooth moves, and has been called a cross between the jitterbug and swing dancing, it's followers are dedicated and loyal.

Main Street is a great place to shop at unique boutiques and locally owned family businesses. Stroll down the street to the "horseshoe", a local landmark and home to many holiday events, and step out on to the sandy beaches that North Myrtle Beach is famous for. Ocean Drive is located in the heart of North Myrtle Beach and is where you will find the Post Office, Library, the city's municipal complex and many national retailers and fast food restaurants.

The Cherry Grove section of North Myrtle Beach offers some of the best - if not the best - fishing opportunities on the Grand Strand. Several marinas in Cherry Grove offer charter boats and deep sea fishing in the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic Ocean. You can rent a boat for the day and fish the Intracoastal Waterway and the creeks and rivers accessible from it. The Cherry Grove Pier offers excellent fishing and has everything you need. They will even rent you a fishing pole and help you rig it!

North Myrtle Beach is a growing city that is carefully tended by folks who truly love their community. The mayor and four council members represent not only the interests of the permanent residents, but also those of vacation property owners and tourists alike. A strong public works department, superior public safety officers, a thriving recreation department and others you never even see, are all at work to make this the city you will want to return to year after year. And like many others, you may even return to join us permanently! However you come, as a permanent resident or a vacationing visitor, you will find North Myrtle Beach the best place to be on the Grand Strand.