Long lines at the Carolina Forest Library, over the last few weeks, proved the Carolina Forest community could turn out for an election.
Many pointed out that Myrtle Beach residents, along with some Socastee residents, voted at the Carolina Forest Library. The final numbers unequivocally proved to be largely Carolina Forest residents.
First the community lead Horry County in real estate sales. Next the community lead Horry County as the highest average income per household across one community.
The City of Myrtle Beach has Grand Dunes and the Dunes Club. However, those neighborhoods are dwarfed by the many lower income per capita homes distributed across the city. Income disparity is rampant in the City of Myrtle Beach. Carolina Forest has a more uniform, largely retirement income base across its community.
In 2016, Carolina Forest voter turnout was typically light. “… if you don’t have somebody that shares your views, why even participate? That’s I think a common view,” Carolina Forest voter Ryan Ocean told WPDE in 2016.
2020 made it clear that when it comes to county-wide elections, moving forward, Carolina Forest will be ground zero.
A NEW ERA
Carolina Forest has a growing population of 40,000 people. Many stood in line from late October until last Tuesday.
Carolina Forest can no longer be ignored by anyone running for County Council Chairman, School Board Chairman, S.C. Senate, County Clerk of Court, County Treasurer or any other county-wide elected office.
For a decade, some political pundits said Carolina Forest would likely never vote.
During this election cycle something changed. Moving forward, we will see if Carolina Forest chooses to use the obvious influence it now has in Horry County.
For 6 decades, the City of Myrtle Beach ran all things politics in Horry County.
The Carolina Forest community (with no mayor, nor city government) now has more political influence than its troubled neighbor on the coast.