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CITY

West Columbia

South Carolina · 18,489 residents (2025 est.) · 9.374 sq mi
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The short version

West Columbia has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $56,912. Population has grown 38% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $201,700.

At a glance
Lower income
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
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,963
+38%since 2000
from 13,064 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,916 / sq mi
+37%since 2000
from 1,394 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.6
Unchangedsince 2000
from 38.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:18,489 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
10K12K14K16K19K1990201020202024West Columbia
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$56,912
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,999 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,920
+104%since 2000
from $18,135 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
36.9%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.7%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 16.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.433
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.434 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$201,700
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,201
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $499 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
55.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 54.3% in 2000
44.7% rent
Vacancy rate
8.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.8%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.5
+39%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in West Columbia on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic72.6%(9,483)
Black19.6%(2,561)
Hispanic / Latino4.7%(609)
Asian1.7%(221)
Other0%
Diversity Score51.9%(6,782)
2024
White, non-Hispanic63.5%(11,403)
Black16.1%(2,894)
Hispanic / Latino12.4%(2,220)
Asian4.3%(767)
Other3.8%(679)
Diversity Score69.1%(12,407)
Diversity Score
69
+33%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.9%
+20.3 ptssince 2000
from 20.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.5%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
16.0%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.5 min
+65%since 2000
from 11.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 76.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.7%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.8%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.8%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 65.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.1%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
45.0%
−11.7 ptssince 2009
from 56.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.0%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
55.0%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
10.3%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.2%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.1%
+5.3 ptssince 2012
from 10.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.8%
−67.4 ptssince 2013
from 78.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.2%
+19.5 ptssince 2017
from 68.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
85.0%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 87.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
9.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2016
from 10.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare West Columbia to nearby cities

WEST COLUMBIA VS
Oak Grove
Income$74,554+31%
Home value$210,300+4%
Population12,256−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST COLUMBIA VS
St. Andrews
Income$46,511−18%
Home value$161,300−20%
Population19,868+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST COLUMBIA VS
Cayce
Income$62,045+9%
Home value$166,800−17%
Population13,680−26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST COLUMBIA VS
Seven Oaks
Income$62,955+11%
Home value$208,400+3%
Population15,921−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

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.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

West Columbia, South Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy