West Columbia, SC

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

17,963

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

38.6

3.76% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

13.7%

2.85% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$56,912

5.1% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$201,700

8.32% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

8,763

2.23% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in West Columbia, 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.

92.6% of the residents in West Columbia, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in West Columbia, SC are Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia (235 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in West Columbia, SC was $201,700, and the homeownership rate was 55.3%.

Most people in West Columbia, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.5 minutes. The average car ownership in West Columbia, SC was 2 cars per household.

United States South Carolina Lexington County, SC Columbia, SC Lexington (North and East) County--Irmo (West) & West Columbia Cities PUMA, SC Lexington (South & West) County and Cayce PUMA, SC Richland County (Central)--Columbia City PUMA, SC

Population & Diversity

West Columbia, SC is home to a population of 18k people, from which 92.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 9.94% of West Columbia, SC residents were born outside of the country (1.79k people).

In 2024, there were 3.94 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.4k people) in West Columbia, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.89k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.41k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.6%

2024 Citizenship

92.7%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 92.6% of West Columbia, SC residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in West Columbia, SC was 92.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in West Columbia, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
11.4k ± 728
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
2.89k ± 557
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
1.41k ± 537

12.4%

Hispanic Population

2.22k people

12.4% of the people in West Columbia, SC are hispanic (2.22k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
65,146 ± 6,228 people
India
21,511 ± 3,594 people
Colombia
15,785 ± 3,080 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 65,146 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 21,511 and Colombia with 15,785.

Foreign-Born Population

9.94%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.79k people

9.04%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.6k people

As of 2024, 9.94% of West Columbia, SC residents (1.79k 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 West Columbia, SC was 9.04%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
452 ± 118
Gulf War (2001-)
426 ± 218
Gulf War (1990s)
169 ± 85

West Columbia, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.06 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in West Columbia, SC.

Health

89.2% of the population of West Columbia, SC has health coverage, with 41.5% on employee plans, 13.1% on Medicaid, 14.3% on Medicare, 18.1% on non-group plans, and 2.27% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see 1,485 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,485 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1682 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 437 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 44.9% were men and 55.1% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.1% under 18 years, 26.8% between 18 and 34 years, 33.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 44.9% were men and 55.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

10.8%

Uninsured

41.5%

Employer Coverage

13.1%

Medicaid

14.3%

Medicare

18.1%

Non-Group

2.27%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in West Columbia, SC declined by 11.7% from 12.2% to 10.8%.

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

Economy

The economy of West Columbia, SC employs 8.76k people. In 2024, the largest industries in West Columbia, SC were Educational Services (1,396 people), Retail Trade (1,191 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (949 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($78,750), Wholesale Trade ($68,704), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,658).

Employment

Occupations

8.76k

2024 Value

± 755

−2.23%

1 Year decline

± 12.5%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Columbia, SC declined at a rate of −2.23%, from 8.96k employees to 8.76k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in West Columbia, SC, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1,087 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,048 people), and Management Occupations (887 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of West Columbia, 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

8.76k

2024 Value

± 755

−2.23%

1 Year decline

± 12.5%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in West Columbia, SC declined at a rate of −2.23%, from 8.96k employees to 8.76k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in West Columbia, SC, are Educational Services (1,396 people), Retail Trade (1,191 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (949 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of West Columbia, SC, though some of these residents may live in West Columbia, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,450

Median earning men ± $6,624

$38,697

Median earning women ± $4,550

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($67,731), Information ($65,278), and Other Services Except Public Administration ($65,017).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($133,320), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($58,654), and Manufacturing ($55,139).

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.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 58.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.4%), followed by Other (0.595%).

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for West Columbia, SC. Showing the available data for South Carolina.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (58.2%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (40.4%)
Democratic Party
Other (0.595%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 58.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (40.4%), followed by Other (0.595%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from South Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Lindsey Graham

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 2, 2013
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in West Columbia, SC awarded 235 degrees. The student population of West Columbia, SC in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 37 male students and 219 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in West Columbia, SC are Black or African American (112 and 47.7%), White (95 and 40.4%), Two or More Races (13 and 5.53%), and Hispanic or Latino (9 and 3.83%).

The largest universities in West Columbia, SC by number of degrees awarded are Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia (235 and 100%).

The most popular majors in West Columbia, SC are General Cosmetology (98 and 41.7%), Aesthetician & Skin Care Specialist (43 and 18.3%), and Nail Specialist & Manicurist (35 and 14.9%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 256 students enrolled in West Columbia, SC, 14.5% men and 85.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 125 records, of which 82.4% were women and 17.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Cosmetology
98 degrees awarded
Barbering
24 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in West Columbia, SC was General Cosmetology with 98 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 1 to 2 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in West Columbia, SC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

235 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia with 235 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 19 men were awarded degrees from institutions in West Columbia, SC, which is 0.088 times less than the 216 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Black or African American students. These 112 degrees mean that there were 1.18 times more degrees awarded to Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 95 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.

Housing & Living

The median property value in West Columbia, SC was $201,700 in 2024, which is 0.606 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $186,200 to $201,700, a 8.32% increase. The homeownership rate in West Columbia, SC is 55.3%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in West Columbia, SC have an average commute time of 19.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in West Columbia, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$201,700

Median Property Value 2024

±$12,741

$4,713

Median Property Taxes

±$475

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 West Columbia, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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

Rent vs Own

55.3%

Homeownership

2024

69.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 55.3% of the housing units in West Columbia, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 56.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in West Columbia, 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.

$56,912

Median Household Income

± $3,782

8.52k

Number of Households

± 702

In 2024, the median household income of the 8.52k households in West Columbia, SC grew to $56,912 from the previous year's value of $54,152.

The following chart displays the households in West Columbia, 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 West Columbia, SC is from South Carolina.

0.462

2024 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.464

2023 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2024, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.296% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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 (76.2%)
Worked At Home (9.85%)
Carpooled (8.65%)

In 2024, 76.2% of workers in West Columbia, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.85%) and those who carpooled to work (8.65%).

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

19.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in West Columbia, SC have a shorter commute time (19.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.12% of the workforce in West Columbia, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in West Columbia, SC (2.41k out of 17.6k 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 Females 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in West Columbia, SC is White, followed by Black 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.