West Columbia, SC
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around West Columbia to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in West Columbia, South Carolina

Life in West Columbia research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in West Columbia over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of West Columbia based on the most recently available data.

17,963 Population
$226,049 Median home value
$56,912 Median income
95 Cost of living -5% vs US
$1,201 Median rent
4.8% Unemployment
Not sure West Columbia fits? Try our place-match quiz → Planning a move? Find movers to West Columbia, SC Get matched →

West Columbia SnackAbility

5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 6/10
Housing 7/10
Affordability 5/10
Diversity 8.5/10
Safety 3/10
Amenities 8.5/10
Education 8/10
Commute 9/10

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

  • There were 964 total crimes in West Columbia in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in West Columbia is 5,185.3 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in West Columbia is 747.7 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in West Columbia is 4,437.6 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in West Columbia is 144.68% above the national average.

964
Total Crimes
144.68%
Above National Average
West Columbia
US

Crime In West Columbia Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
West Columbia
/ 100k People
South Carolina
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 964 5,185.3 2,402.5 2,119.2
Violent Crime 139 747.7 436.7 359.0
Murder 3 16.1 7.5 5.0
Robbery 14 75.3 35.1 61.0
Aggravated Assault 113 607.8 357.1 256.0
Property Crime 825 4,437.6 1,965.8 1,760.0
Burglary 69 371.1 282.4 229.0
Larceny 690 3,711.5 1,468.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 66 355.0 215.1 259.0
Worried about safety? Compare home security systems in West Columbia Get matched →

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

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

  • The cost of living in West Columbia is 95 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in West Columbia is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median home value in West Columbia is $226,049.

  • The median income in West Columbia is $56,912.

95
West Columbia's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average
West Columbia
US

Cost Of Living In West Columbia Comparison Table

Living Expense West Columbia South Carolina National Average
Overall 95 92 100
Services 101 97 100
Groceries 103 96 100
Health 90 82 100
Housing 96 101 100
Transportation 106 101 100
Utilities 94 97 100
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in West Columbia Get matched →

Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

West Columbia, SC Weather

  • The average high in West Columbia is 75.2° and the average low is 52.0°.

  • There are 69.6 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 44.9 inches of precipitation each year with 1.1 inches of snow.

StatWest Columbia
Average Annual High75.2
Average Annual Low52.0
Annual Precipitation Days69.6
Average Annual Precipitation44.9
Average Annual Snowfall1.1
75.2°
Average High
69.6
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

West Columbia, SC Photos

Newbrooklandtavern
Source: Public Domain
West Columbia Riverwalk Park
Source: Wikipedia User Gillis 1000 | CC BY-SA 4.0
West Columbia Riverwalk North
Source: Wikipedia User Gillis 1000 | CC BY-SA 4.0
University Of South Carolina Horseshoe
Source: Wikipedia User Dfscgt21 | CC BY-SA 3.0

Rankings & Articles For West Columbia

Locations Around West Columbia

Map Of West Columbia, SC

Best Places Around West Columbia

1

Lexington, SC
Population 24,585

$303,204+34% vs West Columbia
2

Oak Grove, SC
Population 12,256

$240,139+6% vs West Columbia
3

Seven Oaks, SC
Population 15,921

$244,675+8% vs West Columbia
4

Irmo, SC
Population 11,813

$281,254+24% vs West Columbia
5

Red Bank, SC
Population 11,314

$221,898-2% vs West Columbia
6

Forest Acres, SC
Population 10,530

$335,524+48% vs West Columbia
7

Woodfield, SC
Population 9,465

$177,049-22% vs West Columbia
8

Cayce, SC
Population 13,741

$210,164-7% vs West Columbia
9

Dentsville, SC
Population 15,209

$192,194-15% vs West Columbia
10

St. Andrews, SC
Population 19,868

$189,377-16% vs West Columbia

West Columbia Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in West Columbia

The current population in West Columbia is 17,963. The population has increased 22.5% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 17,963 1.4%
2023 17,723 1.5%
2022 17,459 1.1%
2021 17,265 -2.9%
2020 17,782 0.8%
2019 17,641 2.0%
2018 17,296 1.4%
2017 17,056 7.0%
2016 15,947 1.2%
2015 15,757 0.9%
2014 15,623 0.9%
2013 15,489 1.9%
2012 15,194 1.7%
2011 14,937 1.8%
2010 14,668 -

Race / Ethnicity in West Columbia

White 63.5% (11,403)
African American 16.1% (2,894)
American Indian 0.2% (34)
Asian 4.3% (767)
Hawaiian 0.0% (0)
Other 0.0% (0)
Two Or More 3.6% (645)
Hispanic 12.4% (2,220)
See the full breakdown

West Columbia is:

  • 63.5% White with 11,403 White residents.

  • 16.1% African American with 2,894 African American residents.

  • 0.2% American Indian with 34 American Indian residents.

  • 4.3% Asian with 767 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 0 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.0% Other with 0 Other residents.

  • 3.6% Two Or More with 645 Two Or More residents.

  • 12.4% Hispanic with 2,220 Hispanic residents.

Race West Columbia SC USA
White 63.5% 61.9% 57.4%
African American 16.1% 24.6% 11.9%
American Indian 0.2% 0.2% 0.5%
Asian 4.3% 1.7% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.0% 0.5% 0.6%
Two Or More 3.6% 3.7% 4.3%
Hispanic 12.4% 7.4% 19.3%

Gender in West Columbia

Female 55.0% (9,881)
Male 45.0% (8,082)
See the full breakdown
  • West Columbia is 55.0% female with 9,881 female residents.

  • West Columbia is 45.0% male with 8,082 male residents.

Gender West Columbia SC USA
Female 55.0% 51.3% 50.5%
Male 45.0% 48.7% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in West Columbia for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 1.0% (179)
9-12th Grade 7.0% (1,257)
High School / GED 23.0% (4,131)
Some College 17.0% (3,053)
Associate's Degree 10.0% (1,796)
Bachelor's Degree 25.0% (4,490)
Master's Degree 11.0% (1,975)
Professional Degree 3.0% (538)
Doctorate Degree 3.0% (538)
See the full breakdown
  • 1.0% of adults in West Columbia completed < 9th grade.

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

  • 23.0% of adults in West Columbia completed high school / ged.

  • 17.0% of adults in West Columbia completed some college.

  • 10.0% of adults in West Columbia completed associate's degree.

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

  • 11.0% of adults in West Columbia completed master's degree.

  • 3.0% of adults in West Columbia completed professional degree.

  • 3.0% of adults in West Columbia completed doctorate degree.

Education West Columbia SC USA
< 9th Grade 1.0% 3.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 7.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 23.0% 28.0% 26.0%
Some College 17.0% 20.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 10.0% 10.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 25.0% 20.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 11.0% 9.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 3.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 3.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For West Columbia, South Carolina

Less than $10,000 5.0% (89,013)
$10,000 to $14,999 3.4% (61,803)
$15,000 to $24,999 9.2% (164,949)
$25,000 to $34,999 9.6% (171,698)
$35,000 to $49,999 16.6% (298,680)
$50,000 to $74,999 19.3% (346,561)
$75,000 to $99,999 11.4% (205,448)
$100,000 to $149,999 17.4% (312,390)
$150,000 to $199,999 3.6% (64,545)
$200,000 or more 4.5% (81,208)
See the full breakdown
  • 5.0% of households in West Columbia earn Less than $10,000.

  • 3.4% of households in West Columbia earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 9.2% of households in West Columbia earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 9.6% of households in West Columbia earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 16.6% of households in West Columbia earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 19.3% of households in West Columbia earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 11.4% of households in West Columbia earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 17.4% of households in West Columbia earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 3.6% of households in West Columbia earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 4.5% of households in West Columbia earn $200,000 or more.

Income West Columbia SC USA
Less than $10,000 5.0% 5.9% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.4% 3.8% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 9.2% 7.3% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.6% 7.7% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 16.6% 11.9% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 19.3% 17.0% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 11.4% 13.1% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 17.4% 16.4% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 3.6% 8.0% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 4.5% 8.9% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)