North Myrtle Beach, SC Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: North Myrtle Beach Crime & Safety

Is North Myrtle Beach safe?

North Myrtle Beach earns an overall crime grade of B+ city-wide, and when you drill down to the neighborhood level, the picture is even more reassuring: 100% of the three analyzed neighborhoods hold an A-range grade, giving the city a city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A). Tilghman Estates leads with an A+, while both Cherry Grove and Tidewater Plantation carry solid A grades. Put simply, not a single analyzed neighborhood falls below an A — no B, C, D, or F grades exist in the current dataset. For context, the city's poverty rate sits at 8.7% and unemployment at 7.1%, both relatively modest figures that correlate with the low crime environment documented on the North Myrtle Beach crime map.

What is the crime rate in North Myrtle Beach, SC?

North Myrtle Beach's crime profile is among the strongest in the region. Across all three neighborhoods analyzed — Tilghman Estates, Cherry Grove, and Tidewater Plantation — 100% earned an A or A+ safety grade, and 0% fell into B, C, D, or F tiers. The city-wide composite lands at a B+ overall crime grade, reflecting a community where serious incidents are uncommon. Property crimes tied to peak tourist seasons (the city draws far more visitors than its 16,684 permanent residents) represent the most notable risk factor, but even those remain low enough to keep every tracked neighborhood in the top grade band. Residents enjoy a median household income of $61,390 and a median home value of $275,576, economic indicators that further support a stable, low-crime environment.

What are the safest neighborhoods in North Myrtle Beach?

All three neighborhoods analyzed achieve top-tier safety scores, but here is how they rank:

• Tilghman Estates — Grade A+: The highest-rated neighborhood in the dataset, with a population of roughly 878 and a median household income of $85,280 — the highest income figure among the three areas. Its small, affluent population and low density contribute to an exceptionally low incident rate.
• Cherry Grove — Grade A: Home to approximately 1,185 residents (the largest of the three neighborhoods) and a median income of $52,877, Cherry Grove maintains an A grade despite being the most populous area analyzed. It is also listed as the highest-crime area relative to the other two neighborhoods — yet it still earns an A, underscoring how safe the city is overall.
• Tidewater Plantation — Grade A: With a smaller population of about 405 and a median income of $68,086, Tidewater Plantation pairs a tight-knit community feel with a strong A safety rating.

Across all three neighborhoods, 100% are classified as safe (A-range), meaning there are no higher-risk pockets to steer clear of based on current data.

How does North Myrtle Beach compare to other South Carolina cities for safety?

North Myrtle Beach's B+ overall crime grade and 100% A-grade neighborhood rate place it well above average for South Carolina coastal communities. The city's low population density of just 304 people per square mile — spread across a largely resort-oriented landscape — limits the concentration of criminal activity that denser urban areas experience. With a poverty rate of only 8.7% and a median rent of $1,105, the socioeconomic conditions that often drive elevated crime are largely absent here. Visitors and prospective residents researching the North Myrtle Beach crime map will find a city where every mapped neighborhood sits in the safest possible grade band.

Is North Myrtle Beach a good place to live in 2026?

By the numbers, North Myrtle Beach stacks up well as a place to put down roots. Consider the key data points:

• Overall Crime Grade: B+ (city-wide); Very Safe (A) at the neighborhood level
• 100% of neighborhoods graded A or A+ — zero neighborhoods in B, C, D, or F tiers
• Median Household Income: $61,390
• Median Home Value: $275,576 — attainable relative to many coastal markets
• Poverty Rate: 8.7% — below many comparable beach communities
• Median Rent: $1,105 — competitive for a South Carolina coastal city
• Population: 16,684 — small enough for a genuine community feel

Neighborhoods like Tilghman Estates (A+, median income $85,280), Cherry Grove (A, median income $52,877), and Tidewater Plantation (A, median income $68,086) each offer distinct price points and lifestyles while sharing the same top-tier safety profile. Whether you are a retiree, a young family, or a remote worker drawn to coastal living, the crime data on the North Myrtle Beach crime map supports a confident decision to call this city home in 2026.

What types of crime should residents and visitors watch for in North Myrtle Beach?

Even in a city where every analyzed neighborhood earns an A-range grade, awareness matters. The most relevant risk factors in North Myrtle Beach are:

• Property crime during tourist season: Vacation-heavy coastal cities typically see upticks in vehicle break-ins and theft when seasonal populations surge well above the permanent resident count of 16,684.
• Alcohol-related disturbances: Nightlife and entertainment corridors, particularly near Cherry Grove (the most populous tracked neighborhood at ~1,185 residents), can generate noise complaints and minor disturbances during peak summer months.
• Opportunistic theft: Unlocked vehicles, unattended beach gear, and vacation rentals are the most common targets. Simple precautions — locking doors, securing valuables, and using rental property security features — dramatically reduce risk.

Importantly, violent crime remains rare across all tracked areas. The North Myrtle Beach crime map reflects a city where the overwhelming majority of incidents, when they do occur, are non-violent and property-related. Staying informed through the map and the North Myrtle Beach Police Department is the best way to stay ahead of any emerging patterns.