Surfside Beach, South Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Surfside Beach, South Carolina
settlement_type = Town
nickname = The Family Beach
website = [http://www.surfsidebeach.org www.surfsidebeach.org]


imagesize =
image_caption =
image_



mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Horry County, South Carolina


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = South Carolina
subdivision_name2 = Horry
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Richard Riley, Jr
established_date =
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 5.1
area_land_km2 = 5.0
area_water_km2 = 0.1
population_as_of = 2000
population_total = 4425
population_density_km2 = 739.8
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
elevation_ft = 10
latd = 33 |latm = 36 |lats = 22 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 58 |longs = 23 |longEW = W
area_total_sq_mi = 2.0
area_land_sq_mi = 1.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
elevation_m = 3
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 29575, 29587
area_code = 843
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 45-70585GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1231847 [ cite web
url = gnis3|1231847
title = Surfside Beach
work = Geographic Names Information System
publisher = USGS
accessdate = 2008-05-08 ]
footnotes =

Surfside Beach is a small seaside town in Horry County, South Carolina, United States situated directly south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Its nickname is "The Family Beach". The population was 4,425 at the 2000 census. It is considered a part of the Grand Strand.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau Surfside Beach has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.1 km²), of which, 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (1.02%) is water.

History

Surfside Beach was first incorporated in 1964 with 881 residents. It was previously known as Roach's Beach and had only a few buildings surviving the hurricane of 1893. Principal industries were lumber and feed farming for the 30 or so horses and mules in the area. The new owner, Mr. George J. Holiday, renamed the area Floral Beach for his wife, Flora, and daughter, Floramay. In the late 1920's, a group from Columbia purchased and partially developed the land. In 1952, most of the land changed hands again and became known as Surfside Beach. The undeveloped beach area was covered with sand dunes; a one-lane sandy road led from the highway to a quiet, family beach.

Hurricane Hazel in 1954 destroyed 18 of the beach's 65 houses, but did not dampen the spirit of the developers. Lots were cleared, the sand was leveled, topsoil was brought in and T. J. Harrison, who later became the town's first mayor, opened the first grocery store in 1956 for the six permanent families and summer residents. Significant growth didn't happen until after 1956 when Myrtle Beach Air Force Base was reactivated. By 1964, its reputation as a family beach was further established and the town was becoming a popular place to retire. The new town government increased police protection, mosquito and sanitation control, and street lights and zoning ordinances resulted in increased property values. Public parking and walkways to the beach were established, and government offices were constructed. Within the next few years, the town continued to grow through annexation. Improvements were made to streets and water lines and business and residential building boomed. Surfside Beach, as well as the rest of the Grand Strand, became one of the fastest growing parts of the country.

Surfside Beach adopted a public-places smoking ban which took effect October 1, 2007. Surfside Beach is the first town in Horry County to enact such a ban, and one of only a handful in South Carolina.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,425 persons, 2,150 households, and 1,234 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,287.6 people per square mile (885.2/km²). There were 3,698 housing units at an average density of 1,911.8/sq mi (739.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.75% White, 0.95% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.

There were 2,150 households out of which 16.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.55.

In the town the population was spread out with 13.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $40,612, and the median income for a family was $49,847. Males had a median income of $31,864 versus $24,966 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,445. About 4.7% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

In Surfside Beach, there are 1,000's of homes and condos owned by non-residents who own vacation property for the sole purpose of attracting weekly vacation rentals.

Government

*The city is run by an elected Mayor-council government system.

Mayor

K. Allen Deaton

Term 05/13/08– 05/08/12

Council Members

Vicki Blair, Joseph P. Martin, Bob Childs, Douglas F. Samples, James S. Truett, Mark Johnson

Transportation

Airports

*Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
* [http://www.airnav.com/airport/KHYW Conway-Horry County Airport (HYW)]

Mass Transit

*The Costal RTA [ [http://www.coastrta.com The Coast RTA] ] - Bus system operating seven days a week, 364 days a year. 15 routes throughout the Horry County/Grand Strand area, including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Conway, Loris, and Aynor.

Major Roads and Highways

*U.S. 17 Bus.
*U.S. 17
*SC 544
*Glenns Bay Road
*Ocean Boulevard
*Surfside Drive
*Melody Lane
*Platt Drive
*Gibson Avenue
*Dogwood Drive
*Hollywood Drive
*Poplar Drive
*10th Avenue South
*16th Avenue North
*5th Avenue North

Attractions

* Adventure Falls Miniature Golf (36 holes)
* Surfside Pier
* Two miles of white sand beach
* Restaurants
* Legends in Concert, a celebrity impersonator show theater
* Water Park
* Bowling
* River City Cafe

Tourism

Accommodations

*Holiday Inn Oceanfront at Surfside Beach [http://www.hionthebeach.com/] - Located on beautiful Surfside Beach, Holiday Inn Myrtle Beach is a unique blend of quiet comfort and enticing affordability. Conveniently located near a vibrant assortment of shops, restaurants, museums, and attractions.

References