West Columbia is a city of 17,963 people in South Carolina. The population is up 38% since 2000. The typical home is worth $201,700, having more than doubled since 2000. 55% of homes are owner-occupied. Density works out to 1,916 people per square mile. Getting to work takes 19 minutes on average.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $56,912, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
41% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about West Columbia
What changed most since 1990
Adults with a bachelor's degree15.7% → 40.9%(+25.3 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
Population10,588 → 17,963(+70%)US over the same years: +35%
West Columbia's population equals 5.9% of Lexington County's. Its number of households without a car equals 20% of the county's. Its number of foreign-born residents equals 9.3% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)35.4%(426)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)25.3%(305)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era38.5%(464)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War5.2%(63)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.2%(3)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 1,204 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
West Columbia, decade by decade
West Columbia population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
10,588
$55,293
$138,244
15.7%
38.6
2000
13,064
$56,469
$144,275
20.6%
54.0
2010
14,988
$60,200
$189,891
28.8%
67.3
2020
17,416
$53,672
$189,320
34.3%
69.2
2024
17,963
$56,912
$201,700
40.9%
69.1
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in West Columbia, South Carolina?
West Columbia, South Carolina has about 17,963 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in West Columbia, South Carolina?
The typical household in West Columbia, South Carolina earns about $56,912 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is West Columbia, South Carolina expensive?
In West Columbia, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $201,700, and the typical rent is about $1,201 a month.
How educated are people in West Columbia, South Carolina?
About 40.9% of adults age 25 and over in West Columbia, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in West Columbia, South Carolina?
About 13.7% of people in West Columbia, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has West Columbia, South Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, West Columbia, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 7,375 residents, a change of about 70 percent over that period.
