Chapter ED Intelligence · Chapter Report
ARC of Eastern South Carolina
Southeast and Caribbean Division · South Carolina Region
SC · 7 counties · HQ Myrtle Beach, SC · FEMA Region IV
706,992
People
296,011
Households
46.9%
Households below the ALICE survival threshold
7
Counties · 4,708 sq mi
Nearly 47% of households across this chapter live below the ALICE survival threshold — the working families one disaster away from crisis.
In this report · Economic vulnerability · Who lives here · Home fire mission (FLARE) · mission delivery & the bespoke relationship strategy to follow
Sources: American Red Cross geography + 2023 demographics reference table; United Way ALICE + poverty (latest county year).
Geography & Footprint
The chapter's footprint.
7
Counties
4,708
Square miles
706,992
People
South Carolina Region
Southeast and Caribbean Division
| County | People | Sq mi | % of chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horry | 381,871 | 1,145 | 54.0% |
| Florence | 137,567 | 804 | 19.5% |
| Darlington | 62,098 | 567 | 8.8% |
| Chesterfield | 42,679 | 806 | 6.0% |
| Marion | 28,508 | 494 | 4.0% |
| Dillon | 27,679 | 407 | 3.9% |
| Marlboro | 26,590 | 485 | 3.8% |
HQ: Myrtle Beach, SC · FEMA Region IV. Counties sorted by population.
Who Lives Here
The people of this chapter.
42
Median age
$51,572
Median household income
19.6%
Age 65+
28.7%
Renter households
Age distribution
Race & ethnicity
Hispanic / Latino (any race): 5.5% of residents.
Source: American Red Cross 2023 demographics reference table. Chapter figures aggregate the 7 counties; median age and income are population-weighted.
Economic Vulnerability
Where the need is greatest.
| County | People | Median HH income | ALICE | Poverty | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlboro | 26,590 | $37,980 | 40.4% | 27.0% | 67.4% |
| Marion | 28,508 | $37,792 | 38.5% | 26.4% | 64.9% |
| Dillon | 27,679 | $37,203 | 31.0% | 28.0% | 59.0% |
| Darlington | 62,098 | $42,116 | 33.2% | 19.5% | 52.6% |
| Chesterfield | 42,679 | $45,210 | 32.2% | 20.1% | 52.3% |
| Florence | 137,567 | $54,247 | 32.3% | 16.7% | 49.0% |
| Horry | 381,871 | $55,874 | 28.5% | 13.1% | 41.6% |
Combined = households in poverty plus ALICE households (above poverty, below the cost of basics), as a share of all county households. Source: United Way ALICE, latest county year.
Risk & Disaster History
What this chapter is up against.
$474.0M
Expected annual loss, all hazards
Horry
Highest-risk county
87.9%
Avg social vulnerability (SVI)
8
FEMA declarations, 5 yr (top county)
| County | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | SVI %ile | FEMA 5yr | FEMA all |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horry | Relatively High | $290.4M | 70.2% | 8 | 34 |
| Florence | Relatively Moderate | $65.2M | 82.6% | 7 | 28 |
| Dillon | Relatively Moderate | $35.0M | 97.5% | 7 | 29 |
| Marion | Relatively Low | $27.1M | 87.5% | 6 | 28 |
| Chesterfield | Relatively Low | $22.5M | 94.6% | 6 | 26 |
| Darlington | Relatively Low | $22.4M | 89.2% | 6 | 26 |
| Marlboro | Relatively Low | $11.4M | 94.0% | 6 | 26 |
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index 2025 (risk rating, expected annual loss), CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022 (social-vulnerability percentile), FEMA disaster declarations — via the Red Cross national county database.
Disaster History
A chapter shaped by disaster.
38
Federal disaster declarations
18
Hurricanes
Hurricane
Most common type
2026
Most recent
By incident type
Most recent declarations
| FY | Disaster | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm |
| 2025 | Covington Drive Fire | Fire |
| 2024 | Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm |
| 2024 | Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm |
| 2024 | Hurricane Debby | Tropical Storm |
| 2023 | Hurricane Idalia | Hurricane |
| 2023 | Hurricane Ian | Hurricane |
| 2022 | Hurricane Ian | Hurricane |
| 2020 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-Line Winds | Severe Storm |
| 2020 | Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 — county-level, deduplicated to unique disasters.
Home Fire Mission · FLARE 2024
Every home fire is a Red Cross moment.
488
Home fires (2024)
48.8%
Red Cross care rate
210
Fires with no Red Cross notification
6.9
Fires per 10,000 residents
Red Cross cared for 49% of home fires — but 210 (43%) happened with no Red Cross notification: the prevention, smoke-alarm, and response opportunity, county by county.
Source: FLARE Fire Incidents 2024 (American Red Cross, public layer). “With care” = Red Cross provided assistance; “no notification” = the Red Cross was never alerted to the fire.
Home Fire · Respond & Prevent
Red Cross shows up — and prevents.
3,986
Home-fire calls answered (RC response)
3,698
Single-family fire responses
5,292
Free smoke alarms installed
236
Multi-family fire responses
Red Cross answered 3,986 home-fire calls and installed 5,292 free smoke alarms across the chapter — response and prevention, county by county.
Sources: DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (RC fire responses); Smoke Alarm Installs FY15–FY24 (American Red Cross).
Blood & BioMed
The blood mission's local footprint.
41,286
Blood units collected (FY22–26)
1,990
Blood drives held
273
Drives in FY2026
7
Counties with drives
Blood drives are active in 7 of the chapter's 7 counties — every county without one is an employer or civic opening: a host site, a sponsored drive, a standing partnership.
Source: BioMed Collections FY22–FY26 (American Red Cross). Drives = collection events; units = products collected.
Red Cross Facilities
The chapter's physical footprint.
4
Red Cross facilities
2
Owned
2
Leased / licensed
1
BioMed sites
By type / function
BioMed facilities
Myrtle Beach SC Blood Donation CenterPlatelets & Red Cells
Sources: Red Cross real-estate portfolio (reintel.jbf.com) + BioMed facilities (biomed.jbf.com).
Locations, types and functions only — no cost, square footage, or lease terms are disclosed.
Red Cross Philanthropy · Major Donors
Who gives here.
Major-donor giving across the chapter — three fiscal years. Internal planning data.
$1,151,515
Total giving, 3-year
36
Major donors
$203,161
Current FY · ▼ 69% vs prior FY
$486,110
Top: Horry
| County | Major donors | Total giving, 3-year |
|---|---|---|
| Horry | 21 | $486,110 |
| Florence | 9 | $367,279 |
| Darlington | 4 | $242,525 |
| Marion | 1 | $45,000 |
| Chesterfield | 1 | $10,602 |
Source: Red Cross major-donor giving by county, three fiscal years.
Internal / executive-director planning use — not donor-facing.
County Deep Dive
Horry County
381,871
People
$55,874
Median HH income
41.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively High
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43.7
ALICE households47,892
Poverty households22,077
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$290.4M
Social vulnerability (SVI)70.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)34
Home fires, CY2024161
Fires, no RC notification75
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$486,110
Horry County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Florence County
137,567
People
$54,247
Median HH income
49.0%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age40
ALICE households17,309
Poverty households8,961
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$65.2M
Social vulnerability (SVI)82.6%
FEMA declarations (all time)28
Home fires, CY2024128
Fires, no RC notification67
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$367,279
Florence County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Darlington County
62,098
People
$42,116
Median HH income
52.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age42.2
ALICE households8,316
Poverty households4,883
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$22.4M
Social vulnerability (SVI)89.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)26
Home fires, CY202472
Fires, no RC notification29
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$242,525
Darlington County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Chesterfield County
42,679
People
$45,210
Median HH income
52.3%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age42.3
ALICE households5,600
Poverty households3,493
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$22.5M
Social vulnerability (SVI)94.6%
FEMA declarations (all time)26
Home fires, CY202435
Fires, no RC notification19
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$10,602
Chesterfield County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Marion County
28,508
People
$37,792
Median HH income
64.9%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age41.8
ALICE households4,537
Poverty households3,114
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$27.1M
Social vulnerability (SVI)87.5%
FEMA declarations (all time)28
Home fires, CY202432
Fires, no RC notification13
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$45,000
Marion County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Dillon County
27,679
People
$37,203
Median HH income
59.0%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age39.6
ALICE households3,282
Poverty households2,967
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$35.0M
Social vulnerability (SVI)97.5%
FEMA declarations (all time)29
Home fires, CY202436
Fires, no RC notification2
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Dillon County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Marlboro County
26,590
People
$37,980
Median HH income
67.4%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age41.2
ALICE households3,935
Poverty households2,622
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$11.4M
Social vulnerability (SVI)94.0%
FEMA declarations (all time)26
Home fires, CY202424
Fires, no RC notification5
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Marlboro County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
Your Live Tools
The chapter's Experience Builder apps & federal tools.
Red Cross Intelligence Briefing
Chapter risk, hardship, hazards & county drilldowns
experience.arcgis.com
Disaster Response Intelligence
Spatial disaster-response intelligence
Experience Builder app
Red Cross Real Estate
Facilities & market intelligence
experience.arcgis.com
Service Area Planning
Service-area geography & planning
Experience Builder app
Community Mobilization V
Local resource & mobilization map
experience.arcgis.com
Biomed
Blood & BioMed footprint
experience.arcgis.com
FEMA RAPT
Resilience analysis & planning
www.fema.gov
Census Community Resilience
People & resilience context
www.census.gov
Red Cross Experience Builder apps give the live, drill-down companion to this report; federal tools add official context.
Sources & Methodology
Every number, traceable.
Tools produce facts; humans own decisions. Each figure in this report traces to a named source and vintage.
| Metric | Source | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| geography + 2023 demographics | ALICE master / Red Cross reference table | 2023 |
| ALICE + poverty households | MASTER counties ALICE+demographics | 2023 |
| flare | flare_fire_incidents (public AGOL, CY24) | CY2024 |
| smoke_alarms | GIS_MAP_FY15_to_FY24 (AGOL item b09f21d9…) | FY15–24 |
| lives_saved | Lives_Saved_Map_30_Apr_2026 (AGOL item ff313330…) | 2026 |
| blood | Biomed Collections 22-26 by chapter/county | FY22–26 |
| risk + disaster history | FEMA NRI 2025 · CDC SVI 2022 · FEMA declarations (red-cross-data county master) | FEMA NRI 2025 · SVI 2022 |
| fema disaster history | FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 | 2026 |
| facilities / real estate (no costs) | Red Cross facilities portfolio — reintel.jbf.com (locations, types & ownership only; no cost/lease terms) | FY25 |
| home-fire RC responses (SFF/MFF) | DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (org AGOL) | FY24–26 |
Geography: American Red Cross chapter↔county reference. The full machine-readable source ledger ships with the data bundle.
Appendix · County Data
Full county table.
| County | Pop | Households | Hardship | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | Fires '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horry | 381,871 | 164,660 | 41.6% | Relatively High | $290.4M | 161 |
| Florence | 137,567 | 55,214 | 49.0% | Relatively Moderate | $65.2M | 128 |
| Darlington | 62,098 | 25,452 | 52.6% | Relatively Low | $22.4M | 72 |
| Chesterfield | 42,679 | 17,408 | 52.3% | Relatively Low | $22.5M | 35 |
| Marion | 28,508 | 12,096 | 64.9% | Relatively Low | $27.1M | 32 |
| Dillon | 27,679 | 11,002 | 59.0% | Relatively Moderate | $35.0M | 36 |
| Marlboro | 26,590 | 10,179 | 67.4% | Relatively Low | $11.4M | 24 |
One row per county. Combined hardship = poverty + ALICE households. Fires = FLARE CY2024.