Columbia, SC
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-16

Living In Columbia, South Carolina Summary

Life in Columbia research summary. HomeSnacks has been researching the quality of life in Columbia over the past eight years using Census data, FBI crime data, cost of living data, and other primary sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Columbia:

  • The population in Columbia is 137,276.

  • The median home value in Columbia is $193,100.

  • The median income in Columbia is $48,791.

  • The cost of living in Columbia is 98 which is 1.0x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Columbia is $1,007.

  • The unemployment rate in Columbia is 7.3%.

  • The poverty rate in Columbia is 24.3%.

Search Homes For Sale In Columbia, SC

Columbia SnackAbility

4
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
8
Affordability
5
Diversity
9
Safety
3
Amenities
8.5
Education
8
Commute
9.5
Search Homes For Sale In Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC Crime Report

Crime in Columbia summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Columbia. Key points include:

  • There were 4,759 total crimes in Columbia in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Columbia is 3,454.4 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Columbia is 598.8 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Columbia is 2,855.5 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Columbia is 48.63% above the national average.

4,759
Total Crimes
48.63%
Above National Average

Crime In Columbia Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Columbia
/ 100k People
South Carolina
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 4,759 3,454.4 3,251.8 2,324.2
Violent Crime 825 598.8 530.7 369.8
Murder 13 9.4 10.5 6.3
Robbery 100 72.6 59.8 66.1
Aggravated Assault 667 484.1 420.3 268.2
Property Crime 3,934 2,855.5 2,721.1 1,954.4
Burglary 495 359.3 448.0 269.8
Larceny 3,011 2,185.6 1,991.0 1,401.9
Car Theft 428 310.7 282.1 282.7

Columbia, SC Cost Of Living

Cost of living in Columbia summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Columbia. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around South Carolina. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Columbia is 98 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Columbia is 1.0x lower than the national average.

  • The median home value in Columbia is $193,100.

  • The median income in Columbia is $48,791.

98
Columbia's Overall Cost Of Living
1.0x
Lower Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In Columbia Comparison Table

Living Expense Columbia South Carolina National Average
Overall 98 96 100
Services 95 99 100
Groceries 105 100 100
Health 71 96 100
Housing 91 89 100
Transportation 85 90 100
Utilities 129 107 100

Columbia, SC Photos

Fall Skyline Of Columbia Sc From Arsenal Hill
Source: Wikipedia User Akhenaton06 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Wade Hampton Equestrian Statuec Columbiac Sc Img
Source: Wikipedia User Billy Hathorn | CC BY-SA 3.0
Robert Mills House
Source: Wikipedia User Akhenaton06 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Lookingdownmainst
Source: Wikipedia User Akhenaton06 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Hampton Neighborhoodc Columbiac South Carolina
Source: Wikipedia User "Author: myself" | CC-BY-SA-3.0
Elmwood Park
Source: Wikipedia User | CC-BY-3.0
Firstcitizensbankhq
Source: Wikipedia User Akhenaton06 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Lady Street Edited
Source: Wikipedia User Akhenaton06 (talk) | CC BY-SA 2.0
Columbiamuseumofart
Source: Wikipedia User Akhenaton06 | CC BY-SA 3.0

2 Reviews & Comments About Columbia

Overall User Rating
3.0
/5
Search Homes For Sale In Columbia, SC

HomeSnacks User - 2018-08-04 23:29:12.408927

It's not much to do in the area, most stores are being and/or have been relocated, Not much of a place i'd consider sociable.

There are some mines and things For sight seeing and collecting. The city is somewhat busy but the people are easy to get along with sometimes. The stores and products in them are pretty rare depending on what store you're visiting, and it's a lot of jobs there.


HomeSnacks User - 2019-01-08 16:43:10.856077

Columbia is an affordable city to live, but as it is the capital of the state, it does lack in tourist aspects. Columbia has a growing art and and music life, but it is a bit disconnected between different areas of the downtown region. Crime happens in all areas of the city.

Riverbanks Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country, so it is our tourism claim to fame. I am also quite proud of our library system.

Review Where You Live

Rankings for Columbia in South Carolina

Locations Around Columbia

Map Of Columbia, SC

Best Places Around Columbia

1

Lexington, SC
Population 23,068

2

Oak Grove, SC
Population 11,803

3

Seven Oaks, SC
Population 15,561

4

Irmo, SC
Population 11,581

5

Forest Acres, SC
Population 10,621

6

West Columbia, SC
Population 17,265

7

Lugoff, SC
Population 9,127

8

Woodfield, SC
Population 8,970

9

Cayce, SC
Population 13,637

10

Dentsville, SC
Population 15,245

Columbia Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Columbia

The current population in Columbia is 137,276. The population has increased 7.6% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2021 137,276 2.9%
2020 133,352 0.8%
2019 132,236 -0.2%
2018 132,537 0.4%
2017 131,958 0.5%
2016 131,331 0.2%
2015 131,004 1.0%
2014 129,757 0.8%
2013 128,777 0.9%
2012 127,605 -

Race / Ethnicity in Columbia

White
48.0% (65,859)
African American
40.3% (55,373)
American Indian
0.2% (246)
Asian
2.6% (3,565)
Hawaiian
0.2% (268)
Other
0.3% (443)
Two Or More
2.8% (3,883)
Hispanic
5.6% (7,639)

Columbia is:

  • 48.0% White with 65,859 White residents.

  • 40.3% African American with 55,373 African American residents.

  • 0.2% American Indian with 246 American Indian residents.

  • 2.6% Asian with 3,565 Asian residents.

  • 0.2% Hawaiian with 268 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.3% Other with 443 Other residents.

  • 2.8% Two Or More with 3,883 Two Or More residents.

  • 5.6% Hispanic with 7,639 Hispanic residents.

Race Columbia SC USA
White 48.0% 63.1% 59.4%
African American 40.3% 26.0% 12.2%
American Indian 0.2% 0.2% 0.6%
Asian 2.6% 1.6% 5.6%
Hawaiian 0.2% 0.1% 0.2%
Other 0.3% 0.3% 0.4%
Two Or More 2.8% 2.6% 3.2%
Hispanic 5.6% 6.0% 18.4%

Gender in Columbia

Female
50.0% (68,588)
Male
50.0% (68,688)
  • Columbia is 50.0% female with 68,588 female residents.

  • Columbia is 50.0% male with 68,688 male residents.

Gender Columbia SC USA
Female 50.0% 51.3% 50.5%
Male 50.0% 48.7% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Columbia for adults over 25

< 9th Grade
2.0% (2,745)
9-12th Grade
7.0% (9,609)
High School / GED
19.0% (26,082)
Some College
19.0% (26,082)
Associate's Degree
8.0% (10,982)
Bachelor's Degree
25.0% (34,319)
Master's Degree
12.0% (16,473)
Professional Degree
5.0% (6,863)
Doctorate Degree
3.0% (4,118)
  • 2.0% of adults in Columbia completed < 9th grade.

  • 7.0% of adults in Columbia completed 9-12th grade.

  • 19.0% of adults in Columbia completed high school / ged.

  • 19.0% of adults in Columbia completed some college.

  • 8.0% of adults in Columbia completed associate's degree.

  • 25.0% of adults in Columbia completed bachelor's degree.

  • 12.0% of adults in Columbia completed master's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Columbia completed professional degree.

  • 3.0% of adults in Columbia completed doctorate degree.

Education Columbia SC USA
< 9th Grade 2.0% 3.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 7.0% 8.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 19.0% 29.0% 26.0%
Some College 19.0% 20.0% 20.0%
Associate's Degree 8.0% 10.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 25.0% 19.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 12.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Professional Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 3.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Columbia, South Carolina

  • 12.9% of households in Columbia earn Less than $10,000.

  • 6.0% of households in Columbia earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 10.2% of households in Columbia earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 9.7% of households in Columbia earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 12.6% of households in Columbia earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 14.8% of households in Columbia earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 10.5% of households in Columbia earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 11.2% of households in Columbia earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 5.0% of households in Columbia earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 7.1% of households in Columbia earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
12.9% (1,764,050)
$10,000 to $14,999
6.0% (825,748)
$15,000 to $24,999
10.2% (1,393,962)
$25,000 to $34,999
9.7% (1,328,556)
$35,000 to $49,999
12.6% (1,733,800)
$50,000 to $74,999
14.8% (2,037,120)
$75,000 to $99,999
10.5% (1,442,199)
$100,000 to $149,999
11.2% (1,534,312)
$150,000 to $199,999
5.0% (692,212)
$200,000 or more
7.1% (975,637)
Income Columbia SC USA
Less than $10,000 12.9% 6.9% 5.5%
$10,000 to $14,999 6.0% 4.5% 3.9%
$15,000 to $24,999 10.2% 9.2% 7.8%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.7% 9.7% 8.2%
$35,000 to $49,999 12.6% 13.1% 11.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 14.8% 18.0% 16.8%
$75,000 to $99,999 10.5% 12.7% 12.8%
$100,000 to $149,999 11.2% 14.3% 16.3%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.0% 5.8% 7.8%
$200,000 or more 7.1% 5.9% 9.5%

Articles About South Carolina

Enjoy The Snack?