Is South Conway safe?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Conway as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Conway
“Go with care. South Conway is primarily a quiet, low-density residential and semi-rural community where violent crime is uncommon for visitors. Property crime and vehicle break-ins occur periodically across Horry County, so standard common-sense precautions are recommended.”
About the area
South Conway is a sprawling community situated just south of historic downtown Conway in Horry County. It offers a mix of modest suburban subdivisions, open green spaces, and easy highway access to both the Waccamaw River and the greater Grand Strand.
- Suburban / Semi-Rural
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
- Riverfront Access
Walking and biking in South Conway
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 28/100
Dedicated bicycle lanes are virtually non-existent on main thoroughfares like US-701, confining safe cycling to residential subdivisions and rural back roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent crime and tourist-driven disturbance rates compared to coastal Myrtle Beach
- High rate of single-family homeownership creating stable, family-oriented neighborhoods
- Spacious residential lots and low population density minimize street-level opportunistic crime
Cons
- Elevated property crime and vehicle theft rates relative to national suburban medians
- Lower median household income with some pockets of aging manufactured housing
- Sparse street lighting and lack of pedestrian infrastructure along major corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in South Conway, though occasional unhoused individuals or panhandling can be observed near high-traffic highway intersections.
What South Conway is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm with light commuter traffic along US-701 and quiet subdivision streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active with routine retail errands and local traffic, presenting very little safety concern.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and mellow as storefronts close down, with safe residential surroundings.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and isolated due to sparse street lighting, making roadside walking unadvisable.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is very limited; Coast RTA provides periodic regional bus connections along primary arteries to Myrtle Beach, but a personal vehicle is essential.
Parking is completely hassle-free and free of charge, with ample surface parking at all commercial plazas and expansive private driveways.
Things to do in South Conway
- Stroll along the historic Conway Riverwalk and marina along the Waccamaw River
- Rent a kayak or take a guided boat tour of the scenic local wetlands and blackwater rivers
- Sample traditional Carolina pit-smoked barbecue at long-standing regional smokehouses
Local favorites
- Big D's Bar-B-Q T&C · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (920)Popular local buffet serving authentic wood-smoked barbecue, fried chicken, and classic southern sides.
- Waccamaw Outfitters · Outdoor Recreation Store · 4.8★ (290)Full-service outfitter offering kayak rentals, river excursions, and local outdoor gear.
- Rivertown Bistro · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1450)Acclaimed dining destination serving elevated Southern fare and fresh regional seafood in a warm atmosphere.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.