As one of the oldest cities in South Carolina, Conway is what many might picture when thinking of a distinct Americana atmosphere, with its historic downtown district and year-round community events. Home to Coastal Carolina University and 15 miles from Myrtle Beach, the city has around 20,000 residents. The Horry County School District, local government and Coastal Carolina University are the city’s most prominent employers. “I’ve been serving this city for 40 years and am so proud of how much we’ve grown. We used to be just a stop along the way to get to Florence or Myrtle Beach,” says Conway's Mayor Barbara Jo Blain. “What’s special about our little city is that we’ll always show up for each other and try to listen when there’s demand for something.” In hopes of preserving the city’s infrastructure and contributing to beautification efforts, Conway offers tax incentives for preservation and redevelopment. Additionally, the city is creating priority investment zones to draw in new neighborhood developments and affordable housing.
The Conway Water Tower has a paddle boat mural in Conway.
Just a short drive down highway 501 south and you arrive in Myrtle Beach in Conway.
1/2
Understanding Conway's median housing prices and local weather patterns
Homes in the city sit on at least a quarter of an acre, even downtown. The oldest homes date back to the 1940s, while contemporary housing has begun to pop up on the outskirts. The area's median sales price is about $300,000, which has increased over the last year by almost 2%. However, Conway still trends below the average for Horry County. In nearby Myrtle Beach, the median single-family home price is about $100,000 higher, a top reason for Conway’s continued population growth. The city experiences flood risk from the Waccamaw River, and property disclosures in South Carolina require homeowners to inform potential buyers of any water damage or FEMA flood claims. In general, Conway experiences hot summers and mild winters.
Many small restored Bungalows can be seen throughout Conway.
Traditional-styled homes are forever popular in Conway.
1/2
Green spaces and future plans at the Waccamaw River
The Conway Parks and Recreation Department maintains 12 parks and facilities, from the water views at Riverfront Park to the all-ages classes at Conway Sports and Fitness Center. “We want everyone in this city to have access to nature and communal spaces,” Blain says. “There were corners of Conway where, back in my day, you were told to avoid. We turned them into parks and areas for the college kids to gather and play yard games.” She talks about plans for the Waccamaw River, specifically a recreational ferry, that will focus on river tours and connect to other communities across the river.
The Riverwalk is a great place to go for to enjoy nature in Conway.
Along the Waccomaw River is Conway Riverwalk Park that is a relaxed waterfront path and park.
1/2
The local businesses of downtown Conway
Historic downtown Conway is lined with independently owned restaurants, boutique shops and other small businesses. “We have a restaurant for every palate and every price range. Many restaurants provide live entertainment on the weekends and outdoor seating when weather permits,” explains Daved Kinard, owner of The Daisy Fair and president of Conway Downtown Alive. Just 3 miles north of the city center off Highway 501 are several commercial areas, with big-box stores, national grocers and popular retailers.
A favorite sandwich shop with a wide variety to choose from can be found in Conway.
The Crooked Oak Tavern has a large main dining room and a private room for events in Conway.
1/2
Navigating via Route 501
Residents can reach Myrtle Beach in 15 miles via Route 501. However, seasonal tourism at the beach impacts travel times significantly. The C7 bus connects Conway to Myrtle Beach, and the Coast Rapid Transit Authority’s routes extend from Georgetown in the east to Loris in the west. The nearest commercial airport is Myrtle Beach International, just off Route 17, which offers direct flights to over 50 cities as far west as Denver.
Home to Coastal Carolina University
Students in Conway attend Horry County Schools. Conway’s elementary and middle schools are among the Top 10 in the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area. Home to Coastal Carolina University (CCU), Conway sees an influx of college students during the fall and spring semesters. CCU is ranked as the seventh-best university in South Carolina by Niche.
South Conway Elementary School has a grand entrance in Conway.
Conway High School has a large modern football stadium in Conway.
1/2
October is dedicated to Halloween in Conway
Holidays are big affairs in Conway, with Halloween being the star of the show every year. “We kept trying to win awards for having a beautiful Christmas set-up, but other cities across the country have that formula down,” Blain says. “So I thought, what’s a holiday that no one might expect that we can go all-out on? And that was Halloween. It’s become our thing; thousands of people come to see what we've done every year. Some of the older members in the community say I worship the devil, but hey, I got us nationally recognized.” In October, Conway transforms into a spooky spectacle. Huge fake skeletons line the riverfront, alleys transform into mysterious tunnels and every weekend features themed community events.
Crime statistics in Conway
According to FBI statistics, the violent crime rate in Conway is 4.25 per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate is 33.83 per 1,000 residents. The Conway Police Department supports Crime Watch groups throughout the city and implements a text-based CodeRED system for emergencies.
Written By
Kaitie Lamb
Photography Contributed By
Carmen Natale
Video By
Sara Warthen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
The Brandi Minchillo Team,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Conway, SC sell after 80 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Conway, SC over the last 12 months is $299,986, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Better Than New! This immaculate 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home truly outshines new construction with its thoughtful upgrades, spacious layout, and move-in-ready condition. Offering a bonus room, a dedicated office, and generous living spaces, this home was designed for both comfort and function. The heart of the home is the beautifully designed kitchen, featuring stainless steel appliances, abundant
Welcome to Beach Gardens, a natural gas community! This charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home greets you with a welcoming hallway leading to a guest bedroom and a full guest bath at the front of the home. A second guest bedroom and laundry room are located just down the entryway. The kitchen features a large sink with garbage disposal, stainless steel appliances including range, microwave,
Better than new, this beautifully maintained 2017-built home is tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac and offers 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a large upstairs loft that can serve as a 4th bedroom, home office, or flex space—all within an open-concept layout perfect for modern living. Enjoy the security and efficiency of a newer build without the added expense of upgrades—everything has
It's all about the upgrades!!! Check out this upgraded 4-Bedroom Home with Pond View in Spring Oaks – Conway. This better-than-new 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers 1,982 sq ft of upgraded living space, thoughtfully designed for modern comfort and everyday style — all overlooking a peaceful pond. With high-end upgrades inside and out, this is not your cookie-cutter builder-grade home. Step inside
Investment opportunity to own 10 individual condos in one building built in 2021 in the Kiskadee Parke Community with leases in place and currently managed by a local Property Management company. This package includes 3-3Bedroom/2 bath units and 7-2 Bedroom/2 bath units. Each condo features low maintenance materials that are ideal for rental units. Beautiful white cabinets, granite and SS
Construction to begin soon. Expected availability January 2026. Experience the epitome of serene living at Midtown Oaks, where tranquility harmonizes with coastal allure in Conway. This home proudly boasts an open floor plan, spacious family room, gorgeous kitchen w/ quartz countertops with a large peninsula, smooth cooktop range, appliances included (except washer and dryer), an abundance of
Construction to begin soon! Expected availability January 2026. Experience the epitome of serene living at Midtown Oaks, where tranquility harmonizes with coastal allure in Conway. This home proudly boasts an open floor plan, spacious family room, gorgeous kitchen w/ quartz countertops with a large island, walk-in pantry, smooth cooktop range, appliances included (except washer and dryer), an
Construction to begin soon! Expected availability January 2026. Experience the epitome of serene living at Midtown Oaks, where tranquility harmonizes with coastal allure in Conway. This home proudly boasts an open floor plan, spacious family room, gorgeous kitchen w/ quartz countertops with a large peninsula, smooth cooktop range, appliances included (except washer and dryer), an abundance of
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
