Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia: The most populous city in South Carolina. It is located on the Congaree River in central South Carolina. Columbia is known for its many colleges and universities, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina State Museum.

About

Columbia is a city located in the county of Richland in the U.S. state of South Carolina. Its population at the 2010 census was 129,272. After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 132,130 inhabitants.

The city was created 237 years ago in 1786.

Columbia was founded in 1786 as the new state capital. It replaced Charleston and was strategically situated at the confluence of major rivers. Columbia officially incorporated as a city in 1854.

Columbia emerged as a trading hub and distribution point for the cotton-driven economy. Infrastructure like rail lines and textile mills drove expansion into the early 1900s. Fort Jackson was established in 1917, bolstering growth.

Key Facts About Modern Columbia

Here are some key details about Columbia today:

  • Population: Around 133,000 residents, though over 300,000 live in the Metro area.
  • Economy: Major employers include Fort Jackson, the University of South Carolina, Palmetto Health, and various government/corporate offices. Tourism is also significant.
  • Neighborhoods: Popular areas include Downtown, the Vista arts district, Five Points, and Shandon. There is great diversity from historic to modern residential.
  • Parks: Columbia has numerous public parks and gardens, including Finlay Park and Riverfront Park along the Congaree River.
  • Attractions: Top sites include the South Carolina State House, EdVenture Children's Museum, Riverbanks Zoo, and the Columbia Museum of Art.

Columbia provides big-city culture and economic energy to the region while retaining its historic southern identity and charm. Education, government, and corporate activity drive continued growth.

Columbia locator map
Location of Columbia on South Carolina map.

Quick Facts about Columbia

Population : 132,130 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : South Carolina (United States)
County : Richland County
Different from : Colombia
Postal code : 29201, 29203-6, 29209-10, 29212, 29223, 29225, 29229
Phone Area Codes : 803
Water as percent of area : 2.05%
Land as percent of area : 97.95%
Named for : Christopher Columbus
Altitude : 292 feet / 89 meters
Capital city : Columbia is capital of Republic of South Carolina, South Carolina
Establishment : January 01, 1787 (237 years ago)
Time Zone : Eastern Time Zone
Local time : 01:00:45 (3rd December 2024)
Population growth : 2.16% (2010-2020)
Fall skyline of Columbia SC from Arsenal Hill image
Fall skyline of Columbia SC from Arsenal Hill
Fall skyline of Columbia SC from Arsenal Hill image

Geography

Columbia is located at 34°0'3"N 81°2'5"W (34.0007100, -81.0348100).

Columbia map

    Stephen K. Benjamin ,

  • Accra
  • Chelyabinsk (1995 )
  • Cluj-Napoca
  • Kaiserslautern (2000 )
  • Plovdiv

Demographics

The population of Columbia increased by 2.16% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 129,272 - census
2011 131,302 1.55% estimation process
2012 131,761 0.35% estimation process
2013 131,527 -0.18% estimation process
2014 131,781 0.19% estimation process
2015 133,616 1.37% estimation process
2016 134,129 0.38% estimation process
2017 134,005 -0.09% estimation process
2018 132,770 -0.93% estimation process
2019 131,674 -0.83% estimation process
2020 132,130 0.35% estimation process

Columbia zip code is 29201. County name: Richland, County fips: 45079

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Best Things to Do in Columbia

1 Frankie's Fun Park

Rating: 4.4 (3057)

140 Parkridge Dr, Columbia, SC 29212, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18037812342 🔗 Url

Frankie's Fun Park

2 South Carolina State Museum

Rating: 4.7 (2662)

301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18038984921 🔗 Url

South Carolina State Museum

3 EdVenture Children's Museum

Rating: 4.5 (2372)

211 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18037793100 🔗 Url

EdVenture Children's Museum

4 Palmetto Falls Water Park

Rating: 4.3 (331)

6511 Marion Ave, Columbia, SC 29207, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18037513475 🔗 Url

Palmetto Falls Water Park

5 Fort Jackson Post Flag

4325 Jackson Blvd, Columbia, SC 29207, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ 🔗 Url

Other Places in Columbia

1 SC Department of Insurance

Rating: 3.8 (39)

1201 Main St #1000, Columbia, SC 29201, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18037376160 🔗 Url

SC Department of Insurance

2 Labor Licensing & Regulation

Rating: 2.6 (37)

110 Centerview Dr, Columbia, SC 29210, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18038964300 🔗 Url

3 Cosmetology Board

Rating: 1.6 (22)

110 Centerview Dr # 109, Columbia, SC 29210, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18038964588 🔗 Url

4 Columbia City Hall

Rating: 4.2 (22)

1737 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201 ➦ Show Map

☎ +18035453000 🔗 Url

Columbia City Hall

5 South Carolina Department of Education

Rating: 4.2 (13)

1429 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18037348500 🔗 Url

South Carolina Department of Education

6 Sc Board of Dentistry

Rating: 2.2 (5)

110 Centerview Dr # 101, Columbia, SC 29210, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18038964599 🔗 Url

7 Forest Acres City Hall

Rating: 1.5 (2)

5209 N Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC 29206 ➦ Show Map

☎ +18037829475 🔗 Url

8 South Carolina Department of Agriculture

Rating: 1 (1)

1200 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18037342210 🔗 Url

9 USDA Rural Development

Rating: 5 (1)

1701 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201, United States ➦ Show Map

☎ +18037655163 🔗 Url

USDA Rural Development

10 Columbia City Hall

Rating: 5 (1)

Laurel St, Columbia, SC 29201 ➦ Show Map

☎ 🔗 Url

Schools in Columbia

College & universities near Columbia, SC

Code Name City ZIP
491923 Southeastern Esthetics Institute Columbia (SC) 29201-0000
467863 Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia Columbia (SC) 29201-3126
218663 University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia (SC) 29208
217721 Benedict College Columbia (SC) 29204-1086
217624 Allen University Columbia (SC) 29204

Stations (4)

Amtrak & bus stations near Columbia, SC

Code Name Address Type
CLB Columbia 850 Pulaski Street RAIL
CAM Camden 1060 West Dekalb Street RAIL
DNK Denmark 200 West Baruch Street RAIL
KTR Kingstree 101 East Main St. RAIL

Post offices near Columbia

Post Office Name City ZIP
Capitol Post Office Columbia (SC) 29201
Columbia Post Office Columbia (SC) 29201
Five Poin Post Office Columbia (SC) 29205
Eau Clair Post Office Columbia (SC) 29203
Edgewood Post Office Columbia (SC) 29204

Other places with the same name (16)

  • Columbia , Missouri The most populous city in the state of Missouri. It is located on the Missouri River in central Missouri. Columbia is known for its many colleges and universities, its many parks and green spaces, and its many attractions, such as the University of Missouri and the Missouri State Historical Society. with a population of 124,769 people.
  • Columbia , Tennessee The county seat of Maury County, Tennessee. It is located on the Duck River in the middle part of the state. Columbia is known for its many parks and green spaces, its many historical sites, and its many attractions, such as the Columbia Historical Society and the Columbia Museum of Art. with a population of 41,826 people.
  • Columbia , Illinois city in Illinois, United States with a population of 10,627 people.
  • Columbia , Pennsylvania borough in western Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States with a population of 10,295 people.
  • Columbia , Indiana county seat in Indiana with a population of 9,416 people.
  • Columbia , Mississippi city in Mississippi, United States with a population of 5,850 people.
  • Columbia , Connecticut town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States with a population of 5,355 people.
  • Columbia , Kentucky city in Adair County, Kentucky, United States with a population of 4,902 people.
  • Columbia , Ohio township of Ohio with a population of 1,128 people.
  • Columbia , North Carolina human settlement in Tyrrell County, North Carolina, United States of America with a population of 752 people.
  • Columbia , New Hampshire town in New Hampshire, United States with a population of 744 people.
  • Columbia , Alabama town in Alabama, United States with a population of 743 people.
  • Columbia , Maine town in Maine, USA with a population of 469 people.
  • Columbia , Louisiana parish seat of Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, United States with a population of 364 people.
  • Columbia , South Dakota city in Brown County, South Dakota, United States with a population of 108 people.

Other cities in Richland County

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Richland County , SC.

City Name Population Title
Dentsville 14,062 Census-designated place in Richland County, South Carolina
Forest Acres 10,615 City in Richland County, South Carolina, United States of America
Woodfield 9,303 Census-designated place in Richland County, South Carolina
Blythewood 4,531 Human settlement in South Carolina, United States of America
Arcadia Lakes 874 Human settlement in Richland County, South Carolina, United States of America
Eastover 850 Human settlement in Richland County, South Carolina, United States of America

Distance to Other Cities

Columbia distances to largest South Carolina cities