Horry County’s Hospital Network Outpaces Neighboring Brunswick as Regional Growth Accelerates

Population growth and tourism continue to shape medical capacity across the coastal Carolinas

By BC News Staff Writer

Horry County, SC — Horry County’s rapid population growth and tourism‑driven demand have positioned it as one of the most medically resourced counties along the Carolinas coast, with four full acute‑care hospitals serving more than 413,000 residents. By comparison, neighboring Brunswick County, with an estimated 136,000 residents, operates a smaller hospital network and relies heavily on nearby counties for higher‑acuity care.

Horry County’s hospital network includes Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, the county’s only Level II trauma center, along with Conway Medical Center, McLeod Health Seacoast in Little River, and McLeod Loris Hospital. Together, these facilities anchor emergency care across the coastal corridor, inland communities, and rural northern areas.

Grand Strand Regional functions as the county’s high‑acuity hub, receiving major trauma and complex emergency cases from across the region. Conway Medical Center serves as the inland anchor, with large orthopedic, spine, and maternity programs. McLeod Seacoast and McLeod Loris cover the northern end of the county, providing cardiac care, cancer services, and rural emergency stabilization.

Brunswick County is served by two hospitals—Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia and Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport. Novant operates the county’s only large acute‑care facility, while Dosher provides community hospital services for the Southport and Oak Island area. Many residents still rely on out‑of‑county hospitals, including those in Horry County, for trauma care, specialty services, and high‑acuity treatment.

The disparity reflects both population scale and service demand. Horry County’s year‑round population is roughly three times larger than Brunswick’s, and its tourism footprint adds millions of visitors annually, driving the need for expanded emergency and specialty capacity.
As both counties continue to grow, Horry’s hospital network remains a regional medical anchor, absorbing high‑acuity cases from coastal South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina while supporting one of the fastest‑growing metro areas on the East Coast.