For decades, Litchfield Beach has been the top spot for visitors who want to sink their toes in the sand on Pawleys Island. A mix of rental properties and family homes bring a mix of tourists and full-time residents to the shore. The community, which takes its name from the Litchfield rice plantation, began developing into a beach resort in the 1950s and 1960s. Since then, the strip of coastline has become one of the most popular beaches in the country. In 2020, Litchfield Beach was featured on TripAdvisor’s list of top 10 beaches in the U.S. There’s also easy access to seafood restaurants, family-friendly attractions and nearly a dozen golf courses. Anyone looking for a piece of Litchfield Beach property will have many options between the gated condo complexes and clusters of beach houses in a variety of sizes. “Litchfield offers tranquility that other beach areas often lack,” says Doug Henderson, a Pawleys Island native and Realtor at Heritage Coast Realty. “It's a slower-paced way of life that emphasizes the natural setting and all that it has to offer rather than a focus on commercialization.”
Litchfield Beach has elevated beach homes with modern style.
Find colorful townhomes with palm trees at Litchfield Beach in Pawleys Island.
Catch a stunning sunrise at Litchfield Beach in Pawleys Island.
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Family homes in North Litchfield and condos at Litchfield by the Sea
Litchfield Beach is divided into three areas that cater to different lifestyles. North and South Litchfield have multiple beach homes used as full-time residences. “North Litchfield is the most residential beach community in town,” says Jay Nelson, a Pawleys Island native and a sales executive with the Litchfield Company. “When you get off the beachfront, it’s almost all full-timers, which is cool because most other beach communities are rentals, but here people live there 365.” Beachfront homes with balconies, private boat slips and brightly colored exteriors start at $800,000 and can reach up to $3 million. Smaller beach homes range from $400,000 to $800,000, and bungalows and cottages farther from the water cost between $250,000 to $400,000. Coastal flooding is common, so houses by the beach are usually built up or have additional defenses like storm doors. The gated Litchfield by the Sea community is sandwiched between North and South Litchfield and mainly consists of condos and townhouses. These units typically range from $200,000 to $500,000, and monthly HOA fees vary from $500 to $1,000, depending on the building. All of Litchfield Beach has a CAP Index Crime Score of 3, just below the national average score of 4.
Find spacious oceanfront homes with double porches and beach access at Litchfield Beach.
Litchfield Beach has elegant homes on tidal creeks in Pawleys Island.
Litchfield by the Sea has coastal style condos and townhomes in Litchfield Beach.
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Public and private access along Litchfield Beach
On any given day, locals can hunt for crabs or cast a line along Litchfield Beach’s miles of coastline. While most of the beach is open to the public, Litchfield by the Sea residents enjoy private beach access. The gated community also has its own private amenities, including a mini waterpark and private fishing pier. Golfers will never have to go far for tee time thanks to the island’s many courses, including Litchfield Country Club, River Club and Tradition Club, all within about 5 miles of Litchfield Beach. The northern side of Litchfield Beach borders Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens, which each draw in hundreds of visitors every year. Huntington Beach State Park centers around 3 miles of beachfront hiking trails, while Brookgreen Gardens is famous for having the country’s largest collection of American sculptures.
Litchfield Beach locals enjoy quiet walks with their dog at the water edge.
Litchfield locals enjoy walking their dogs at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet.
Brookgreen Gardens has beautiful statues in gardens in Murrells Inlet.
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Beach day breakfast at Litchfield Restaurant
Most of the island’s best restaurants and shops surround the busy Ocean Highway, next to Litchfield. Just a mile off the beach, Litchfield Restaurant has been a favorite place to get breakfast before a day on the shore since it opened in 1968. Hanser House offers fresh seafood, hearty sandwiches and soup made from the owner’s family recipes. Perrone’s Restaurant and Bar has more upscale offerings, with a menu of dry-aged steak, caviar and oysters. Retail options on Ocean Highway include supermarkets like Food Lion and boutique stores like Hammock Shops Village, which sells everything from fine jewelry and candles to homemade dog treats and Southern pecans.
Litchfield Restaurant in Pawleys Island is a popular family restaurant with delicious food.
Pawleys Island Wear is a popular store Litchfield locals like to shop in Pawleys Island.
Food Lion in Litchfield is a great place to shop for all your grocery needs.
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Ocean Highway leads to Myrtle Beach and Georgetown
Pawleys Island has a long tourist season, so there are extra cars on the road nearly every month of the year. “Growing up, we always said that Memorial Day to Labor Day was the tourist season, and now our season has broadened,” Nelson says. “Now people stay at Litchfield by the sea during Christmas, and a lot of other people have learned that October is some of the best weather you get here. Our other quiet months are in January and February.” Litchfield is 12 miles from Georgetown and 28 miles from Myrtle Beach, giving locals access to the best of both waterside cities. Georgetown and Myrtle Beach can be reached by a drive on Ocean Highway – also called Route 17 – or on Coast RTA’s daily bus route. These cities offer additional shopping, dining and some essentials. Georgetown Airport has a small regional airport for recreational pilots, while Myrtle Beach International Airport is the largest local commercial airport. Many houses of worship are right on the island, including the Pawleys Island Chapel, which has been in its seaside location on Myrtle Avenue since 1947.
Top-rated athletics at Waccamaw High School
Niche gives Waccamaw Elementary an A-minus grade, and named it the best public elementary school in Georgetown County. Waccamaw Intermediate School, Waccamaw Middle School and Waccamaw High School all earn B-plus grades from Niche and are some of the best-rated schools in the Georgetown County School District. Waccamaw High is in the top 10 high schools in the Myrtle Beach metro. The high school’s high rating is in part thanks to its decorated athletic programs in football, soccer and tennis. Coastal Carolina University is one of the largest regional colleges, just outside of Myrtle Beach, and the University of South Carolina and Clemson University both have research institutions on Pawleys Island.
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
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Parks in this Area
Huntington Beach State Park
Brookgreen Gardens
Retreat Park
Transit
Airport
Myrtle Beach International
37 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Litchfield Beach
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island sell after 92 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island over the last 12 months is $675,200, up 1% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
FIRST-TIME Home Buyer? DOWNSIZING? Looking for an INVESTMENT? This One Has It All! Welcome to easy, SINGLE-LEVEL LIVING in beautiful PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC. This first-floor condo is located in the quiet, GATED COMMUNITY of Pawleys Pavilion—less than two miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy low-maintenance living with tile flooring throughout, hard surface countertops, and a screened porch
Welcome to 168 Saint Christopher Circle, a beautifully updated 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the heart of Pawleys Island. Situated on a generous double lot totaling 0.56 acres, this inviting property offers the perfect blend of modern updates and coastal charm. Inside, you’ll love the stunning updated kitchen featuring quartz countertops, new cabinetry, a stylish backsplash, and stainless steel
Discover the charm of King's River Townhomes, nestled within the prestigious gates of Litchfield Plantation. As you drive through the picturesque, mature tree-lined street, you'll be welcomed to your new home. King’s River Townhomes are conveniently located near Waccamaw Schools, shopping, dining, golf, and stunning beaches. Enjoy access to exclusive amenities, including a pool and beach house.
Welcome to this stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bath home located in the picturesque Pawley's Island, SC! As you step through the front door, you'll immediately be delighted by the soaring vaulted ceilings that span the main living area, creating an expansive and airy feel throughout the home. The open floor plan allows natural light to pour in, giving the space a bright, welcoming ambiance. The spacious
Welcome to this exquisite 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath raised beach home, located in the highly sought-after community of Marshland Park in Pawley’s Island. With gorgeous details throughout, this home offers a perfect blend of comfort, style, and functionality, making it ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. The open concept main living space features a spacious and inviting floor plan that
Experience the pinnacle of Lowcountry living with this impeccable townhome in the highly sought-after Litchfield Plantation. Perfectly positioned to capture breathtaking, unobstructed views of the ricefields, Waccamaw River, and Intracoastal Waterway, this residence is a true coastal sanctuary. Step inside to discover a thoughtfully designed open floor plan where natural light floods through
Seize your chance to live in one of the premier apartment communities in Pawleys Island, SC. Picture coming home every day to the warm embrace of meticulous landscaping, comfortable homes, and thoughtful amenities tailored to enhance your life. Located in Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, with easy access to Coastal HWY 17 and Transit Bus Lines, Litchfield Oaks Apartments is just minutes away
This lovely first floor 2 bed/2 bath, furnished condo is located in the gated community of Pawleys Pavilion. Laminate wood flooring in living room and kitchen, tile in bathrooms, and carpet in bedrooms. Kitchen has brand new granite countertops and new appliances. The living area opens to the screened porch. There is a large park next to complex used by tenants and dogs. There is a community
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jan Sitter,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,208
Median Age
60
Population under 18
14.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
41.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$70,489
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$95,531
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.6%
College Graduates
48.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.4%
% Population in Labor Force
43.8%
Below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
39/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
