Columbia city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Columbia city is a major urban center located in South Carolina. The total population is 138,019. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Columbia city is 28.7 years. This is 28% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Columbia city is $55,653. This is 17% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.3%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.6%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $243,500. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 47.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.0% vs 25.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.6% vs 1.7%).

Education

46.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Columbia city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.9%. Notably, 20.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Columbia city, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.