Life is grand in Horry County
Established | Designated as Horry District in 1801. Established as Horry County in 1868.
Origin of name | The name was chosen to honor Revolutionary War hero and patriot Peter Horry, who was born near Georgetown and served as second in command to Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.
What’s grand about it | Sandy beaches, piers, amusement parks and boardwalk flavor east of the Intracoastal Waterway, but more than half of the county’s residents live in the more rural western portion of the county, known for historical attractions, old tobacco fields and southern charm. You can check out everything from educational swamps to farmers markets, and spend an afternoon playing miniature golf and eating at seafood buffets. It is also an engine for the state’s tourism industry, providing for a large portion of the Palmetto State’s economy with its popular resorts, hotels, beaches, amusement parks, shopping districts and restaurants that cater to both the young and old.
Major events | There are tons of countywide and municipal events to check out, from annual music festivals to Christmas parades. Read some of the municipality entries for specific events to check out during the year.
Major employers | Horry County government, Wal-Mart, Horry County Schools, AVX Corp.; the hospitality and service industries employ a large number of people, as well.
Local buzz | Traveling the Grand Strand is becoming easier every year. For tourists and visitors used to the traffic backup of the U.S. 501 bridge, some alternatives have been put in place to let locals skirt around some of the jam. Cozy up to your neighbors and find a better way around the beach. Explore some of the restaurants and attractions inland, too, where more than half of the county’s people live.
Local favorites | Many locals strike a balance, navigating between popular tourist spots like Broadway at the Beach and enjoying quieter days shopping and dining at spots like The Market Common. Many have also found their favorite lesser known spots on side streets and across the Intracoastal Waterway to support through down time in the winter.
Property tax | Horry County levies property tax in mills. One mill equals a thousandth of a dollar. The basic county rate is 45.2 mills. Residents also pay a school millage rate, and if they live in an incorporated city, they pay the municipal rate in addition to the county rate. Most unincorporated area residents also pay millage rates for services such as fire department coverage. There are also special tax districts in some municipalities to pay for recreation districts and other expenses. Your property tax rate is equal to the assessed fair market value of your property times the assessment ratio (4 percent for owner-occupied homes and 6 percent for second homes, businesses or real property) times the millage rate.
Here’s the formula for an owner-occupied home with an assessed value of $150,000 in unincorporated Carolina Forest: 150,000 x 0.04 x 0.090 (with school millage included).
Numbers to know*
County Council Chairman | Tom Rice, P.O. Box 1236, Conway, SC 29528; 843-915-5120; chairman@horrycounty.org
Councilmember | Harold Worley, District 1, 2859 SC. 111, Little River, SC 29566; 843-249-1436
Councilmember | Brent Schulz, District 2, 1298 Professional Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; 843-915-5120
Councilmember | Marion Foxworth, District 3, 305 N. Oak St., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577; 843-602-9111
Councilmember | Gary Loftus, District 4, 1551 Deer Park Lane, Surfside Beach, SC 29575; 843-347-3161
Councilmember | Paul Price, District 5, P.O. Box 1236, Conway, SC 29528; 843-742-9692
Councilmember | Bob Grabowski, District 6, 11826 U.S. 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, SC; 843-236-1272
Councilmember | James R. Frazier, District 7, 725 Bucksport Road, Conway, SC 29527; 843-397-5423
Councilmember | Carl Schwarzkopf, District 8, 105 University Circle, Conway, SC 29526; 843-347-9591
Councilmember | Paul Prince, District 9, 1020 Virginia Drive, Loris, SC 29569; 756-8916
Councilmember | Jody Prince, District 10, P.O. Box 1236, Conway, SC 29528; 843-283-8451
Councilmember | Al Allen, District 11, P.O. Box 1236, Conway, SC 29528; 843-358-0100
*There will be elections this November for five members of the Horry County Council: Foxworth, Loftus, Grabowski, Prince and Prince. The only one who has a challenger is Prince. Rice is running for Congress’ new District 7 seat.
This story was originally published September 23, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Life is grand in Horry County."