Nichols ZIP Codes — Horry County, SC

There is one unique ZIP code in Nichols, South Carolina and it is 29581. Area code: 843.

ZIP codes

164.68

sq mi land

0.92

sq mi water

843

area code

Nichols, SC ZIP code map

About Nichols, SC

Nichols is a quaint town located in South Carolina, specifically within Horry County. Known for its small-town charm, Nichols serves as a peaceful retreat in the midst of the bustling Grand Strand. The community is characterized by its friendly residents and a commitment to maintaining a close-knit atmosphere.

Location & geography

Nichols is situated in the northeastern part of South Carolina, roughly 23 miles west of Myrtle Beach, a major tourist destination. It is bordered by several nearby cities, including Dillon to the northwest at around 23 miles and Marion to the southwest, approximately 20 miles away. The town spans a land area of 164.68 square miles, which includes 0.92 square miles of water, providing a blend of lush land and small water bodies.

Community & economy

The character of Nichols is defined by its welcoming atmosphere and rural lifestyle, where residents enjoy a slower pace of life. The local economy is primarily based on agriculture and small businesses, with many residents engaged in farming or working in nearby larger towns. Daily life in Nichols often revolves around community events and family gatherings, which strengthen the bonds among its inhabitants.

Transportation

Nichols is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 401, which provides direct routes to surrounding towns and cities. The nearest major airport is Myrtle Beach International Airport, located about 25 miles to the east, which serves both domestic and some international flights. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transit for residents.

History

Nichols was founded in the early 20th century and has a rich agricultural heritage that has shaped its community. Over the years, the town has been known for its strong tobacco and cotton industries, which played significant roles in the local economy. Notable events in Nichols’ history include the establishment of various community organizations that have fostered local culture and connected residents.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Nichols is that despite its small size, it celebrates an annual event known as the 'Nichols Peanut Festival,' attracting visitors from around the region. This festival not only showcases local agricultural products but also features entertainment and activities that highlight the town's charming community spirit.

ZIP codes for Nichols, SC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
29581	Nichols	Horry	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,436

Population

34.1

Median age

$48,173

Median household income

$22,386

Per capita income

$108,900

Median home value

$752

Median monthly rent

78.2%

Home ownership

27.4%

Poverty rate

5.2%

Unemployment

1,731

Housing units

7.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

192

Under 5

172

208

5–9

186

254

10–14

227

114

15–19

102

129

20–24

115

318

25–34

285

229

35–44

204

288

45–54

257

120

55–59

108

138

60–64

124

249

65–74

222

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,280	28.9%
18 and over	3,156	71.1%
65 and over	666	15.0%
Median age	34.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 72.2%

Black or African American 25%

Two or more races 2.7%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	3,202	72.2%
Black or African American	1,110	25%
Two or more races	120	2.7%
Asian	4	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 14.1%

$10k–$15k 3.6%

$15k–$25k 6.3%

$25k–$35k 9.5%

$35k–$50k 19.0%

$50k–$75k 20.8%

$75k–$100k 15.3%

$100k–$150k 6.4%

$150k–$200k 0.6%

$200k+ 4.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	14.1%
$10k–$15k	3.6%
$15k–$25k	6.3%
$25k–$35k	9.5%
$35k–$50k	19.0%
$50k–$75k	20.8%
$75k–$100k	15.3%
$100k–$150k	6.4%
$150k–$200k	0.6%
$200k+	4.4%
Median income	$48,173

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.5%

$50k–$100k 31.8%

$100k–$150k 16.8%

$150k–$200k 19.9%

$200k–$300k 8.3%

$300k–$500k 7.9%

$500k–$1M 1.2%

$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$108,900
Median rent / month	$752
Owner occupied	78.2%
Renter occupied	21.8%
Vacant	25.5%
Single-family detached	52.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.2%
Mobile homes	44.1%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	3.11

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	13.4%
2000–2009	3.8%
1990–1999	23.2%
1980–1989	14.9%
1970–1979	18.6%
1960–1969	12.5%
1950–1959	6.7%
1940–1949	1.3%
1939 or earlier	5.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	3.1%
2 bedrooms	22.8%
3 bedrooms	59.3%
4 bedrooms	10.8%
5+ bedrooms	1.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.5%
1 vehicle	29.0%
2 vehicles	37.4%
3 or more	29.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	84.5%
Propane / LP gas	12.5%
Fuel oil	0.1%
No fuel used	2.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	740	48.1%
Cohabiting couple	187	12.1%
Male householder, no spouse	255	16.6%
Female householder, no spouse	358	23.2%
Households with children under 18	456	29.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	485	31.5%
Average household size	2.88

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.8%	34.0%
Married	52.5%	48.1%
Separated	3.6%	0.7%
Widowed	4.3%	10.9%
Divorced	8.7%	6.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.2%

Some HS, no diploma 14.9%

HS graduate 46.6%

Some college, no degree 13.2%

Associate's degree 15.5%

Bachelor's degree 4.0%

Graduate / professional 3.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	82.9%
Bachelor's or higher	7.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	77	6.7%
Kindergarten	76	6.6%
Elementary school	688	59.5%
High school	161	13.9%
College / grad school	154	13.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 17.6%

Construction 15.0%

Retail trade 15.0%

Public administration 11.7%

Other services 10.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.5%

Information 4.7%

Agriculture & mining 4.1%

Transportation & utilities 3.4%

Manufacturing 3.2%

Professional & management 3.1%

Finance & real estate 1.2%

Wholesale trade 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	21.0%
Service	30.1%
Sales & office	18.1%
Natural resources & construction	20.3%
Production & transportation	10.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.7%
Government	20.6%
Self-employed	3.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	92.2%
Carpool	5.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.6

Poverty

All people 27.4%

Under 18 years 51.6%

18 and over 17.6%

Married-couple families 2.6%

Female-led households 52.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	33.4%
Retirement income	24.2%
Supplemental Security	6.1%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	19.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	43.9%
High cholesterol	38.2%
Heart disease	8.5%
Stroke	4.7%
Asthma	10.6%
Arthritis	32.7%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	10.2%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.7%
No physical activity	32.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.5%
Fair or poor health	21.3%
Poor mental health	16.5%
Poor physical health	14.5%
No health insurance	20.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.7%
Visited dentist	56.0%
Cholesterol screening	88.8%
Teeth loss	21.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	254	8.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.1%
Under 18	0.2%
18–64 years	15.5%
65 and over	35.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	46.0%
Public insurance	51.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,072	91.8%
Spanish	5	0.1%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	5	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,414	99.5%
Born in same state	4,414	99.5%
Born in different state	3,497	78.8%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	22	0.5%
Not a US citizen	18	81.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	995	22.4%
French	793	17.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	109	2.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	34.7%
Internet access	87.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Nichols, SC have?

Nichols, SC has one ZIP code: 29581. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.