Columbia

About Columbia

Columbia is the capital of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is the second-most populous city in the state, with a population of 136,632 at the 2020 census and estimated at 147,035 in 2025. It is the principal city of the Columbia metropolitan area, the second-largest metropolitan area in South Carolina, with an estimated population of 879,918 in 2025. Columbia serves as the county seat of Richland County, while portions of the city extend into neighboring Lexington and Kershaw counties. The city's name derives from "Columbia", a historic poetic personification of the United States, and is commonly shortened to "Cola", inspiring the nickname "Soda City".

Located near the geographic center of South Carolina at the fall line, Columbia developed at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda rivers, which form the Congaree River. Established in 1786 as South Carolina's first planned capital city, it has served as the seat of state government for more than two centuries and is home to the South Carolina State House. During the American Civil War, much of the city was destroyed in the burning of Columbia in 1865 before being rebuilt during Reconstruction.

Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, the state's flagship public university, and Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army's largest basic combat training installation. State government, higher education, healthcare, military activities, insurance, and manufacturing form the foundation of the regional economy, while recent decades have seen significant investment in the Congaree Vista, Main Street, and the BullStreet District.

The city is a major cultural center for South Carolina, with institutions including the South Carolina State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, and Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Columbia also serves as a regional center for collegiate athletics through the University of South Carolina and provides access to outdoor recreation along the Three Rivers Greenway, Congaree National Park, and Lake Murray.

Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Columbia weather: 7-day forecast

Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).

Live webcams in Columbia

Webcams: Windy.com

Living in Columbia

Median household income

$55,529

Median home value

$264,300

Median rent

$1,204/mo

Median age

28.6

Map of Columbia

Tap any street on the map to see it in Street View below. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Columbia Street View

Drag the image to look around and tap the arrows on the ground to move. If it says there is no imagery, tap a nearby street on the map above.

Columbia, SC population

Columbia had 136,632 residents in the 2020 Census.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.

Columbia at a glance

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.

Towns near Columbia

• Woodfield2.3 mi NW
• Arcadia Lakes3.8 mi W
• Dentsville4.0 mi NW
• Forest Acres4.3 mi W
• Capitol View5.3 mi S
• Arthurtown7.9 mi SW
• Olympia9.1 mi SW
• Hopkins9.9 mi S
• Cayce10.2 mi SW
• Elgin10.8 mi NE
• St. Andrews11.9 mi W
• West Columbia12.1 mi W

Straight-line distance between town centers.

Frequently asked questions about Columbia