Columbia, SC
Quality of Life, Demographics, And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-10-17

Living In Columbia, South Carolina Summary

Life in Columbia research summary. HomeSnacks has been researching the quality of life in Columbia over the past eight years using Census data, FBI crime data, cost of living data, and other primary sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in Columbia:

  • The population in Columbia is 137,276.

  • The median home value in Columbia is $193,100.

  • The median income in Columbia is $48,791.

  • The cost of living in Columbia is 98 which is 1.0x lower than the national average.

  • The median rent in Columbia is $1,007.

  • The unemployment rate in Columbia is 7.3%.

  • The poverty rate in Columbia is 24.3%.

Columbia SnackAbility

4
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
8
Affordability
5
Diversity
9
Safety
3
Amenities
8.5
Education
8
Commute
9.5

Columbia, SC Crime Report

4,759
Total Crimes
3,454.4
Total Crimes / 100k People
48.63%
Above National Average
Statistic Count
Raw
Columbia
/ 100k People
South Carolina
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 4,759 3,454.4 3,251.8 2,324.2
Violent Crime 825 598.8 530.7 369.8
Murder 13 9.4 10.5 6.3
Robbery 100 72.6 59.8 66.1
Aggravated Assault 667 484.1 420.3 268.2
Property Crime 3,934 2,855.5 2,721.1 1,954.4
Burglary 495 359.3 448.0 269.8
Larceny 3,011 2,185.6 1,991.0 1,401.9
Car Theft 428 310.7 282.1 282.7

Columbia, SC Cost Of Living

98
Columbia's Overall Cost Of Living
1.0x
Lower Than The National Average
Living Expense Columbia South Carolina National Average
Overall 98 96 100
Services 95 99 100
Groceries 105 100 100
Health 71 96 100
Housing 91 89 100
Transportation 85 90 100
Utilities 129 107 100

Columbia, SC Photos

Rankings for Columbia in South Carolina

Map Of Columbia, SC

Best Places Around Columbia

1

Lexington, SC
Population 23,068

2

Oak Grove, SC
Population 11,803

3

Seven Oaks, SC
Population 15,561

4

Irmo, SC
Population 11,581

5

Forest Acres, SC
Population 10,621

6

West Columbia, SC
Population 17,265

7

Lugoff, SC
Population 9,127

8

Woodfield, SC
Population 8,970

9

Cayce, SC
Population 13,637

10

Dentsville, SC
Population 15,245

Population over time in Columbia

Year Population % Change
2021 134,057 0.5%
2020 133,352 0.8%
2019 132,236 -0.2%
2018 132,537 0.4%
2017 131,958 0.5%
2016 131,331 0.2%
2015 131,004 1.0%
2014 129,757 0.8%
2013 128,777 0.9%
2012 127,605 -

Race / Ethnicity in Columbia

White
48.0% (65,859)
African American
40.3% (55,373)
American Indian
0.2% (246)
Asian
2.6% (3,565)
Hawaiian
0.2% (268)
Other
0.3% (443)
Two Or More
2.8% (3,883)
Hispanic
5.6% (7,639)
Race Columbia SC USA
White 48.0% 63.1% 59.4%
African American 40.3% 26.0% 12.2%
American Indian 0.2% 0.2% 0.6%
Asian 2.6% 1.6% 5.6%
Hawaiian 0.2% 0.1% 0.2%
Other 0.3% 0.3% 0.4%
Two Or More 2.8% 2.6% 3.2%
Hispanic 5.6% 6.0% 18.4%

Gender in Columbia

Female
50.0% (68,588)
Male
50.0% (68,688)
Gender Columbia SC USA
Female 50.0% 51.3% 50.5%
Male 50.0% 48.7% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Columbia for adults over 25

< 9th Grade
2.0% (2,745)
9-12th Grade
7.0% (9,609)
High School / GED
19.0% (26,082)
Some College
19.0% (26,082)
Associate's Degree
8.0% (10,982)
Bachelor's Degree
25.0% (34,319)
Master's Degree
12.0% (16,473)
Professional Degree
5.0% (6,863)
Doctorate Degree
3.0% (4,118)
Education Columbia SC USA
< 9th Grade 2.0% 3.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 7.0% 8.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 19.0% 29.0% 26.0%
Some College 19.0% 20.0% 20.0%
Associate's Degree 8.0% 10.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 25.0% 19.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 12.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Professional Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 3.0% 1.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Columbia, South Carolina

Less than $10,000
12.9% (1,764,050)
$10,000 to $14,999
6.0% (825,748)
$15,000 to $24,999
10.2% (1,393,962)
$25,000 to $34,999
9.7% (1,328,556)
$35,000 to $49,999
12.6% (1,733,800)
$50,000 to $74,999
14.8% (2,037,120)
$75,000 to $99,999
10.5% (1,442,199)
$100,000 to $149,999
11.2% (1,534,312)
$150,000 to $199,999
5.0% (692,212)
$200,000 or more
7.1% (975,637)
Income Columbia SC USA
Less than $10,000 12.9% 6.9% 5.5%
$10,000 to $14,999 6.0% 4.5% 3.9%
$15,000 to $24,999 10.2% 9.2% 7.8%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.7% 9.7% 8.2%
$35,000 to $49,999 12.6% 13.1% 11.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 14.8% 18.0% 16.8%
$75,000 to $99,999 10.5% 12.7% 12.8%
$100,000 to $149,999 11.2% 14.3% 16.3%
$150,000 to $199,999 5.0% 5.8% 7.8%
$200,000 or more 7.1% 5.9% 9.5%

Articles About South Carolina

Enjoy The Snack?