United Way of Horry County Shares Results from Community Needs Assessment

For more information visit UnitedWayHorry.org.

Blakely Roof with the United Way of Horry County was in the studio for United Way in Action, which is all about sharing the great work UWHC is doing in the community.

Blakely discusses their 2025 Community Needs Assessment, which is a comprehensive report that captures the voices, experiences, and data shaping life across Horry County and identifies the most pressing priorities for the years ahead.

The assessment engaged more than 3,200 survey participants and nearly 200 residents through 10 Community Conversations held throughout urban and rural areas of the county, including Spanish-language sessions and
outreach to historically underrepresented communities. The findings are organized around United Way’s four impact areas: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency.

Key findings reveal growing concerns around affordability, access to healthcare, early childhood readiness, and housing stability. While Horry County continues to experience rapid population growth, 41% of households are living below the ALICE threshold—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—meaning they earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic necessities.

United Way of Horry County will use the findings to guide strategic investments, inform partnerships, and support collective impact efforts aimed at improving long-term outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Also, the United Way is hosting a State of Our Families event on March 19, 2026. The event will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the HGTC Conference Center on Crabtree Ln.

They will take a closer look at the financial realities facing families across Horry County. This event will introduce ALICE—hardworking households who struggle to afford basic necessities—and mark the public rollout of our updated Community Game Plan.

Register here: https://unitedwayhorry.org/2026-state-of-our-families/ to be part of the conversation shaping solutions for our community.