Columbia, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Columbia, South Carolina had a total population of 139,643, the 2nd largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $55,529, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Columbia is the 2nd largest city in South Carolina with a population of 139,643.
Columbia Quick Facts
How Columbia Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 139,643 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $55,653 | $55,529 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $243,500 | $264,300 | +8.5% |
How Columbia Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbia Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Richland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Andrews | 19,868 | $46,511 | 25.4% | $161,300 |
| Dentsville | 15,209 | $45,473 | 15.7% | $163,700 |
| Cayce | 13,741 | $62,045 | 13.7% | $166,800 |
| Irmo | 11,813 | $80,489 | 9.2% | $203,400 |
| Forest Acres | 10,530 | $78,306 | 8.2% | $279,300 |
| Woodfield | 9,465 | $45,526 | 19.8% | $150,800 |
| Lake Murray of Richland | 7,023 | $119,107 | 2.0% | $422,100 |
| Blythewood | 5,731 | $94,167 | 4.8% | $384,600 |
| Capitol View | 4,374 | $46,645 | 10.6% | $187,600 |
| Arthurtown | 3,272 | $21,046 | 63.2% | $120,100 |
Cities Similar to Columbia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | 119,913 | $62,956 | $302,200 | 28.6% | 14.4% |
| Charleston | 154,338 | $92,414 | $509,700 | 58.3% | 12.3% |
| Rock Hill | 75,259 | $68,771 | $295,100 | 35.1% | 12.6% |
| Greenville | 72,935 | $71,472 | $487,500 | 55.5% | 14.0% |
| Mount Pleasant | 93,993 | $124,755 | $748,500 | 68.4% | 6.1% |
Population Overview
Columbia is a major urban center located in South Carolina, within Richland County. The total population is 139,643. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbia is 28.6 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbia is $55,529. This is 20% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.0%. This is 70% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. 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 7.5%. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $264,300. Housing costs are 2% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 45.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 40.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (40.1% vs 24.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.2% vs 1.8%).
Education
45.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% higher than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.2%. Notably, 21.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbia, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbia, South Carolina?
Columbia, South Carolina has a population of 139,643 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbia, SC?
The median household income in Columbia is $55,529, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Columbia, SC?
The poverty rate in Columbia is 24.0%. This means approximately 27,663 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbia, South Carolina?
Columbia's population is 45.7% White, 40.1% Black, 6.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbia, SC?
The median home value in Columbia is $264,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Columbia, South Carolina?
45.9% of adults (25+) in Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.