Established | 1938

Origin of name | Originally called Withers, after the Withers family, it was changed to New Town after the logging railroad was devised. In 1901, Addie Burroughs held a contest to name the town, but her winning entry was one of only two entries submitted. The other was Edgewater. Myrtle Beach is named after the wax myrtle shrubs, not crepe myrtle trees.

What’s grand about it | A temperate climate, the beach, affordable vacations, golf courses, pancake houses, T-shirt shops, an array of restaurants and amusements, mini golf.

Major events | The Beach Ball Classic basketball tournament, South Carolina’s Largest Garage Sale, the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon, Oktoberfest, Military Appreciation Days, Coastal Uncorked, Hot Summer Nights, and the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival.

Major employers | The City of Myrtle Beach, Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, the tourism industry (hotels, motels, restaurants, amusements and merchants).

What’s new | Ziplines have sprung up along Ocean Boulevard; Helicopter Adventures now offers helicopter tours starting at Broadway at the Beach; motorists now have a major artery around Myrtle Beach via Harrelson Boulevard; and the terminal expansion project at Myrtle Beach International Airport is expected to be finished and open by late January/early February 2013.

Property tax rate | 66.1 mills

Numbers to know

Mayor | John Rhodes, 5712 Springs Ave., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; 843-918-1001 at city hall; johnrhodes@beachballclassic.com

Councilmember | Randal Wallace, 6506-C Wildwood Trail, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572; 843-497-8262

Councilmember | Phil Render, 5709 Quail Hollow Lane, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; 843-449-0440

Councilmember | Mike Chestnut, 1202 Ragin St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; 843-448-3494, Chestnut5m@aol.com

Councilmember | Susan Grissom Means, 990 Antilles Court, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; 843-497-6977

Councilmember | Wayne Gray, 5710 Longleaf Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; 843-448-8145

Councilmember | Mike Lowder, 1051 Park Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; 843-457-2329