West Columbia, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Columbia, South Carolina had a total population of 17,963, the 35th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $56,912, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
West Columbia Quick Facts
How West 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 | 17,723 | 17,963 | +1.4% |
| Median household income | $54,152 | $56,912 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $186,200 | $201,700 | +8.3% |
How West 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+)
West Columbia Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Lexington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 24,585 | $87,126 | 7.4% | $297,700 |
| Seven Oaks | 15,921 | $62,955 | 12.2% | $208,400 |
| Oak Grove | 12,256 | $74,554 | 12.6% | $210,300 |
| Red Bank | 11,314 | $68,004 | 11.5% | $189,000 |
| White Knoll | 8,310 | $80,246 | 11.1% | $249,400 |
| Batesburg-Leesville | 4,941 | $49,646 | 15.1% | $135,100 |
| Springdale | 2,742 | $77,722 | 5.8% | $221,700 |
| Pine Ridge | 2,596 | $95,000 | 7.3% | $227,900 |
| South Congaree | 2,075 | $59,539 | 14.6% | $192,500 |
| Gaston | 1,803 | $60,000 | 18.0% | $120,000 |
Cities Similar to West Columbia
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 18,072 | $49,520 | $398,400 | 59.4% | 36.0% |
| Berea | 16,862 | $49,829 | $204,700 | 21.3% | 22.9% |
| Seven Oaks | 15,921 | $62,955 | $208,400 | 41.3% | 12.2% |
| St. Andrews | 19,868 | $46,511 | $161,300 | 25.7% | 25.4% |
| Red Hill | 15,920 | $68,250 | $249,500 | 21.8% | 19.1% |
Population Overview
West Columbia is a small city located in South Carolina, within Lexington County. The total population is 17,963. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Columbia is 38.6 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in West Columbia is $56,912. This is 18% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $201,700. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in West Columbia is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.4% vs 7.4%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.3% vs 1.8%).
Education
40.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 90.5%. Notably, 16.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West 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 West Columbia, South Carolina?
West Columbia, South Carolina has a population of 17,963 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Columbia, SC?
The median household income in West Columbia is $56,912, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Columbia, SC?
The poverty rate in West Columbia is 13.7%. This means approximately 2,409 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Columbia, South Carolina?
West Columbia's population is 63.5% White, 16.1% Black, 12.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Columbia, SC?
The median home value in West Columbia is $201,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is West Columbia, South Carolina?
40.9% of adults (25+) in West Columbia hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.