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Columbia, SC

Frequently asked questions

Columbia, SC

Columbia is the capital city of the U.S. state of South Carolina. With a population of 136,632 at the 2020 census, it is the second-most populous city in South Carolina. The city serves as the county seat of Richland County, and a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. It is the center of the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a population of 829,470 in 2020 and is the 7th-most populous urban center in the Deep South and the 72nd-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the nation. The name Columbia is a poetic term used for the United States, derived from the name of Christopher Columbus, who explored the Spanish Crown. Columbia is often abbreviated as Cola, leading to its nickname as "Soda City".

The city is located just northwest of the geographic center of South Carolina and was the center of population of South Carolina in 2020. It is also the primary city of the Midlands region of the state. It lies at the confluence of the Saluda River and the Broad River, which merge at Columbia to form the Congaree River. As the state capital, Columbia is the site of the South Carolina State House, the center of government for the state. In 1860, the South Carolina Secession Convention took place in Columbia; delegates voted for secession, making South Carolina the first state to leave the Union in the events leading up to the Civil War.

Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, the state's flagship public university and the largest in the state. The area has benefited from Congressional support for Southern military installations. Columbia is the site of Fort Jackson, the largest United States Army installation for Basic Combat Training. Twenty miles to the east of the city is McEntire Joint National Guard Base, which is operated by the U.S. Air Force and is used as a training base for the 169th Fighter Wing of the South Carolina Air National Guard.

One of Columbia's more prominent geographical features is the fall line, the boundary between the upland Piedmont region and the Atlantic Coastal Plain, across which rivers drop as falls or rapids. Columbia developed at the fall line of the Congaree River, which is formed by the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers. The Congaree was the farthest inland point of river navigation. The energy of falling water also powered Columbia's early mills.

The city has capitalized on this location, which includes three rivers, by identifying as "The Columbia Riverbanks Region". Columbia is located roughly halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Blue Ridge Mountains, at an elevation of around 292 ft (89 m).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 140.68 square miles (364.4 km²), of which 137.81 square miles (356.9 km²) is land and 2.87 square miles (7.4 km²) (1.68%) is water. Approximately ⅔ of Columbia's land area, 81.2 square miles (210 km2), is contained within the Fort Jackson Military Installation, much of which consists of uninhabited training grounds. The actual inhabited area of the city is slightly more than 50 square miles (130 km²).

Health and wellness are paramount in Columbia, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include KORE Wellness, Anytime Fitness, and Columbia Fitness Club. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Columbia, such as the Firebreak Trail and Saluda Riverwalk. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Columbia, SC are Congaree National Park, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, and Columbia Museum of Art.

Population: 144,788 (2024). ZIP codes:  29044, 29201–29212, 29214–29230, 29240, 29250, 29260, 29290, 29292. Area codes: 803, 839. Elevation: 302 ft (92 m). Area: 140.68 sq mi (364.37 km²).

FAQs

Is Columbia, SC a good place to live?

Columbia is in Richland County and is one of the best places to live in South Carolina. Living in Columbia offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Columbia, there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in Columbia and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Columbia are above average.

What are the demographics in Columbia, SC?

Columbia, SC is home to a population of 137k people, of which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2022, 4.59% of Columbia, SC residents were born outside of the country (6.28k people). In 2022, there were 1.19 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (65.5k people) in Columbia, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 54.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.91k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Is Columbia, SC expensive?

The cost of living in Columbia, SC is 2% lower than the state average and 8% lower than the national average. Columbia, SC housing is 26% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 30% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% less in Columbia, SC than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 2% less.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Columbia

MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown 

Columbia Parks and Recreation Department 

KORE Wellness

Anytime Fitness 

Columbia Fitness Club

Firebreak Trail 

Saluda Riverwalk

Congaree National Park

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Columbia Museum of Art

Niche

Data USA

Rentcafe

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