Richland County, SC

County

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2024 Population

422,117

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

34.4

0.585% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

17.2%

1.82% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$63,784

3.38% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$242,800

8.3% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

199,082

0.827% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Richland County, SC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.8% of the residents in Richland County, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Richland County, SC are University of South Carolina-Columbia (10,467 degrees awarded in 2023), Columbia International University (649 degrees), and Columbia College (217934) (475 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Richland County, SC was $242,800, and the homeownership rate was 60.3%.

Most people in Richland County, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Richland County, SC was 2 cars per household.

Richland County, SC borders Calhoun County, SC, Fairfield County, SC, Kershaw County, SC, Lexington County, SC, Newberry County, SC, and Sumter County, SC.

About the photo: State Capitol, Columbia, SC

Photo by Ron Cogswell

United States South Carolina Columbia, SC

Population & Diversity

Richland County, SC is home to a population of 422k people, from which 96.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 5.94% of Richland County, SC residents were born outside of the country (25.1k people).

In 2024, there were 1.19 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (198k people) in Richland County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 166k White (Non-Hispanic) and 12.8k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.8%

2024 Citizenship

96.9%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 96.8% of Richland County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Richland County, SC was 96.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Richland County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Richland County, SC

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
198k ± 1.22k
White (Non-Hispanic)
166k ± 626
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
12.8k ± 1.11k

6.44%

Hispanic Population

27.2k people

6.44% of the people in Richland County, SC are hispanic (27.2k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Richland County, SC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
63,986 ± 6,172 people
India
20,779 ± 3,532 people
Honduras
17,281 ± 3,222 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 63,986 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 20,779 and Honduras with 17,281.

Foreign-Born Population

5.94%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

25.1k people

5.83%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

24.4k people

As of 2024, 5.94% of Richland County, SC residents (25.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Richland County, SC was 5.83%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Richland County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
12,658 ± 1,185
Vietnam
6,317 ± 536
Gulf War (1990s)
5,559 ± 754

Richland County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 2 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Richland County, SC.

Economy

The economy of Richland County, SC employs 199k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Richland County, SC were Health Care & Social Assistance (28,432 people), Educational Services (22,248 people), and Retail Trade (21,759 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($133,333), Utilities ($81,646), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($69,810).

Employment

Occupations

199k

2024 Value

± 4,586

0.827%

1 Year growth

± 3.18%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Richland County, SC grew at a rate of 0.827%, from 197k employees to 199k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Richland County, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (24,253 people), Management Occupations (21,086 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (19,360 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Richland County, SC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

199k

2024 Value

± 4,586

0.827%

1 Year growth

± 3.18%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Richland County, SC grew at a rate of 0.827%, from 197k employees to 199k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Richland County, SC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (28,432 people), Educational Services (22,248 people), and Retail Trade (21,759 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Richland County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Richland County, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,863

Median earning men ± $1,300

$37,818

Median earning women ± $1,625

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($70,976), Public Administration ($62,984), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($59,196).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($55,233), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($50,668), and Wholesale Trade ($48,926).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Y-Axis

2.54%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 2.26M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 2.54% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Carolina.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

822
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
590
Other Services (except Public Administration)
513
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.86M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$1.08M
Finance and Insurance
$854k
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Education

In 2023, universities in Richland County, SC awarded 13,016 degrees. The student population of Richland County, SC in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 17,881 male students and 27,004 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Richland County, SC are White (8,453 and 68.7%), Black or African American (2,024 and 16.5%), Hispanic or Latino (604 and 4.91%), and Asian (516 and 4.19%).

The largest universities in Richland County, SC by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina-Columbia (10,467 and 80.4%), Columbia International University (649 and 4.99%), and Columbia College (217934) (475 and 3.65%).

The most popular majors in Richland County, SC are General Finance (603 and 4.63%), General Business Administration & Management (598 and 4.59%), and Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (518 and 3.98%).

The median tuition costs in Richland County, SC are $15,690 for private four year colleges, and $12,288 and $34,543 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Richland County, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 62%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 21.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 44,885 (39.8% men and 60.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 44,885 students enrolled in Richland County, SC, 39.8% men and 60.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 27,530 records, of which 60% were women and 40% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Finance
603 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
467 degrees awarded
General Public Health
451 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Richland County, SC was General Finance with 603 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Richland County, SC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of South Carolina-Columbia
10,467 degrees awarded
Columbia International University
649 degrees awarded
Columbia College (217934)
475 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina-Columbia with 10,467 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 5,040 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Richland County, SC, which is 0.632 times less than the 7,976 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 8,453 degrees mean that there were 4.18 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 2,024 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 2-year ($18,341) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,482) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,500) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Richland County, SC was $242,800 in 2024, which is 0.73 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $224,200 to $242,800, a 8.3% increase. The homeownership rate in Richland County, SC is 60.3%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Richland County, SC have an average commute time of 23.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Richland County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 18.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Richland County, SC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 2.3%.

Housing

Property

$242,800

Median Property Value 2024

±$4,791

$101,223

Median Property Taxes

±$2,686

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Richland County, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Richland County, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

60.3%

Homeownership

2024

69%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 60.3% of the housing units in Richland County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 60.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Richland County, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$63,784

Median Household Income

± $1,530

168k

Number of Households

± 4,247

In 2024, the median household income of the 168k households in Richland County, SC grew to $63,784 from the previous year's value of $61,699.

The following chart displays the households in Richland County, SC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Richland County, SC is from South Carolina.

0.464

2023 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.464

2022 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2023, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.464 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.102% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (71.3%)
Worked At Home (12.5%)
Carpooled (7.92%)

In 2024, 71.3% of workers in Richland County, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (12.5%) and those who carpooled to work (7.92%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

23.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Richland County, SC have a shorter commute time (23.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.43% of the workforce in Richland County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Richland County, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Richland County, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Richland County, SC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 18.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Richland County, SC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 2.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

17.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Richland County, SC (68k out of 395k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Richland County, SC is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 19.9% of the children was living in poverty in Richland County, SC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 796 in Richland County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 191 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

91.3% of the population of Richland County, SC has health coverage, with 43.3% on employee plans, 16.3% on Medicaid, 8.81% on Medicare, 18.6% on non-group plans, and 4.26% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Richland County, SC see 1,212 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,212 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1054 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 240 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.1% were men and 52.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,212 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Richland County, SC

Primary care physicians in Richland County, SC see an average of 1,212 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,212 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Richland County, SC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.7% under 18 years, 25.2% between 18 and 34 years, 35.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 14.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.1% were men and 52.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.66%

Uninsured

43.3%

Employer Coverage

16.3%

Medicaid

8.81%

Medicare

18.6%

Non-Group

4.26%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Richland County, SC declined by 1.21% from 8.77% to 8.66%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Richland County, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 66.8 in Richland County, SC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Richland County, SC.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 33.9% in Richland County, SC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Richland County, SC.