Southern town sheds 'dirty' image to become fastest-growing hotspot for retirees
Myrtle Beach, situated along a 60-mile string of beaches, is home to the fastest growing population of retirees in the US.
The number of over 65s living in the seaside town rose 6.3 percent last year alone, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
The senior population has grown by more than 22 percent since 2020, the fastest rate for a US town this decade.
While the vacation hotspot is still visited by more than 18 million tourists every year the senior population now makes up more than a quarter of the roughly 413,000 year-round residents.
The beachfront town is known for its mile-long boardwalk and iconic 200-foot Ferris wheel.
The town used to bring in biker rallies, but the noise, traffic and ensuing rowdiness led the city to take measures to end the events in the late 2000s.
Now the streets are more likely to be lined with seniors playing pickleball and quiet outdoor diners.
The pandemic accelerated the town's senior boom, as many longtime visitors from Ohio and New York decided to take the opportunity to relocate.
Many chose to retire early, while others freed by homeworking decided to relocate their families.
'Many people converted that thought into action,' longtime resident Mark Kruea told the Associated Press.
'The climate's great, taxes are low, there's a wealth of opportunities for recreation, dining and shopping,' Kruea, who is running to be mayor, explained.
Myrtle Beach is roughly half-way between New York City and Miami, which appeals to seniors who want to retire at the beach but do not want to go all the way down to Florida or other Southern states.
The small Myrtle Beach International Airport also has direct flights to many locations across the US.
The weather in Myrtle Beach is also ideal for retirees as there are seasons, but they are not extreme.
July tends to be the hottest month, with an average temperature of 87.6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service.
The coldest month, meanwhile, is January, when temperatures drop down to around 55.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Myrtle Beach also has all the attractions and amenities of vacation destination, which means there is plenty for retirees to do.
There is the 60-mile stretch of beaches, known as the Grand Strand, as well as world-class golf courses, restaurants and shops.
While Myrtle Beach has become a retirement boomtown, an aging population has meant the entire over 65 population in the US shot up by 3.1 percent last year.
In the past two decades, seniors have increased from 12.4 percent to 18 percent of the US population.
The share of children, meanwhile, has dropped from 25 percent to 21.5 percent, according to population estimates reported by AP.
Maine, Vermont, and Florida were the only three states where older adults outnumbered children as recently as 2020. But four years later, those states were joined by Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia.
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