Richland County, SC

County

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2021 Population

414,719

0.0142% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

33.8

0.297% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

16.8%

1.33% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$56,137

3.12% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$175,100

4.54% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

198,056

0.0798% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Richland County, SC had a population of 415k people with a median age of 33.8 and a median household income of $56,137. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Richland County, SC grew from 414,660 to 414,719, a 0.0142% increase and its median household income grew from $54,441 to $56,137, a 3.12% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Richland County, SC are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (46.9%), White (Non-Hispanic) (41.1%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.93%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.86%), and White (Hispanic) (1.95%).

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.

97.1% of the residents in Richland County, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Richland County, SC are University of South Carolina-Columbia (10,191 degrees awarded in 2021), Columbia College (217934) (463 degrees), and Columbia International University (456 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Richland County, SC was $175,100, and the homeownership rate was 59.1%.

Most people in Richland County, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.8 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 415k people, from which 97.1% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.85% of Richland County, SC residents were born outside of the country (24.3k people).

In 2021, there were 1.14 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (195k people) in Richland County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 171k White (Non-Hispanic) and 12.2k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.1%

2021 Citizenship

96.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.1% of Richland County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Richland County, SC was 96.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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)
195k ± 1.31k
White (Non-Hispanic)
171k ± 660
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
12.2k ± 454

5.43%

Hispanic Population

22.5k people

5.43% of the people in Richland County, SC are hispanic (22.5k people).

The following chart shows the 7 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
59,828 ± 5,970 people
India
16,728 ± 3,170 people
Honduras
13,020 ± 2,798 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 59,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 16,728 and Honduras with 13,020.

Foreign-Born Population

5.85%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

24.3k people

5.87%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

24.3k people

As of 2021, 5.85% of Richland County, SC residents (24.3k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Richland County, SC was 5.87%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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-)
9,271 ± 883
Vietnam
7,551 ± 648
Gulf War (1990s)
5,800 ± 664

Richland County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.23 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Richland County, SC employs 198k people. The largest industries in Richland County, SC are Health Care & Social Assistance (28,837 people), Educational Services (22,369 people), and Retail Trade (21,794 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($60,250), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($60,017), and Finance & Insurance ($51,469).

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,907. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.463, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

198k

2021 Value

± 4,367

0.0798%

1 Year growth

± 3.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Richland County, SC grew at a rate of 0.0798%, from 198k employees to 198k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Richland County, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (24,652 people), Management Occupations (20,026 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (19,936 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 false.

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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

198k

2021 Value

± 4,367

0.0798%

1 Year growth

± 3.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Richland County, SC grew at a rate of 0.0798%, from 198k employees to 198k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Richland County, SC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (28,837 people), Educational Services (22,369 people), and Retail Trade (21,794 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

$40,870

Median earning men ± $1,192

$33,187

Median earning women ± $1,095

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($56,635), Public Administration ($53,663), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($50,252).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($46,659), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($44,517), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($41,026).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

3,810
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
2,911
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
2,259
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$4.16M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$3.65M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$2.16M
Manufacturing

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $39.9B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($29.5B) and Machinery ($26.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$273B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

124% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $273B. This is expected to increase 124% to $613B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$28.9B
Georgia
$21.4B
Texas
$10.9B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $28.9B, followed by Georgia with $21.4B and Texas and $10.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Richland County, SC went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 68.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (30.1%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.05%).

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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (68.4%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (30.1%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.05%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Richland County, SC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Richland County, SC awarded 12,206 degrees. The student population of Richland County, SC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 17,993 male students and 25,416 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Richland County, SC are White (8,212 and 70.5%), followed by Black or African American (1,942 and 16.7%), Hispanic or Latino (513 and 4.41%), and Two or More Races (373 and 3.2%).

The largest universities in Richland County, SC by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina-Columbia (10,191 and 83.5%), Columbia College (217934) (463 and 3.79%), and Columbia International University (456 and 3.74%).

The most popular majors in Richland County, SC are General Business Administration & Management (578 and 4.74%), General Finance (553 and 4.53%), and Other Public Health (492 and 4.03%).

The median tuition costs in Richland County, SC are $16,155 for private four year colleges, and $12,288 and $33,528 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Richland County, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 66.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 20.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 43,409 (41.4% men and 58.6% 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 2021 there were 43,409 students enrolled in Richland County, SC, 41.4% men and 58.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 27,020 records, of which 57.8% were women and 42.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Finance
553 degrees awarded
Other Public Health
492 degrees awarded
Experimental Psychology
338 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Richland County, SC was General Finance with 553 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
10,191 degrees awarded
Columbia College (217934)
463 degrees awarded
Columbia International University
456 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina-Columbia with 10,191 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 4,874 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Richland County, SC, which is 0.665 times less than the 7,332 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 8,212 degrees mean that there were 4.23 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 1,942 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, 4-year or above ($16,920) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,080) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

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.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.829% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.722% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.18M), Some college (890k), and Bachelors Degree (688k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Richland County, SC was $175,100 in 2021, which is 0.715 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $167,500 to $175,100, a 4.54% increase. The homeownership rate in Richland County, SC is 59.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Richland County, SC have an average commute time of 22.8 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.

Median household income in Richland County, SC is $56,137. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Richland County, SC was Census Tract 23 with a value of $171,500, followed by Census Tract 12 and Census Tract 24, with respective values of $118,542 and $114,375.

In 2022, 17.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Richland County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 1.01%.

Housing

Property

$175,100

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,974

$94,635

Median Property Taxes

±$2,707

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

59.1%

Homeownership

2021

68.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 59.1% of the housing units in Richland County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 59.8%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 23
Census Tract 12
Census Tract 24

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Richland County, SC was Census Tract 23 with a value of $171,500, followed by Census Tract 12 and Census Tract 24, with respective values of $118,542 and $114,375.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Richland County, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$56,137

Median Household Income

± $1,729

160k

Number of Households

± 3,590

In 2021, the median household income of the 160k households in Richland County, SC grew to $56,137 from the previous year's value of $54,441.

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.

0.463

2021 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.462

2020 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.122% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2021

Drove Alone (74.8%)
Carpooled (7.79%)
Walked (7.39%)

In 2021, 74.8% of workers in Richland County, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.79%) and those who walked to work (7.39%).

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

22.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Richland County, SC have a shorter commute time (22.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.08% 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 2022, 17.4% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Richland County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 1.01%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

16.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Richland County, SC (64.7k out of 386k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. 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 2022, 21.4% of the children was living in poverty in Richland County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.6%.

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.

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Health

90.8% of the population of Richland County, SC has health coverage, with 46.5% on employee plans, 15.2% on Medicaid, 8.09% on Medicare, 16.9% on non-group plans, and 4.13% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Richland County, SC see 1178 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1178 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1097 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 281 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.6% were men and 53.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,178 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Richland County, SC

Primary care physicians in Richland County, SC see an average of 1,178 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,178 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 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.8% under 18 years, 25.5% between 18 and 34 years, 36.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.6% were men and 53.4% were women.

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

Uninsured People

9.2%

Uninsured

46.5%

Employer Coverage

15.2%

Medicaid

8.09%

Medicare

16.9%

Non-Group

4.13%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Richland County, SC declined by 0.67% from 9.26% to 9.2%.

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 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 67.5 in Richland County, SC.

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

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, 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 33.6% in Richland County, SC.

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

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