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CITY · 2020 ACS

West Columbia

South Carolina · 17,416 residents · 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 $44,282. Population has grown 33% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $156,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.4
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
17,416
+33%since 2000
from 13,064 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,858 / sq mi
+33%since 2000
from 1,394 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.4
+4%since 2000
from 38.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
10K12K14K16K19K1990201020202024West Columbia
202418K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$44,282
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,999 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,237
+67%since 2000
from $18,135 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
27.7%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.0%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 16.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade10.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade7.4%
US avg: 10%
Other services7.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$156,200
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$852
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $499 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
54.9%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 54.3% in 2000
45.1% rent
Afford Score
3.5
+38%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic63.3%(11,022)
Black17%(2,959)
Hispanic / Latino12.3%(2,150)
Asian2.8%(490)
Other3.3%(571)
Diversity Score67.7%(11,795)
Diversity Score
68
+30%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
34.3%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 20.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.1%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 78.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.0%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.1 min
+53%since 2000
from 11.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.1%
+4.9 ptssince 2009
from 76.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
59.6%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 65.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.0%
−17.7 ptssince 2009
from 56.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.7%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
Female
53.3%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.2% in 2009
Foreign born
8.0%
−7.2 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.3%
−65.9 ptssince 2013
from 78.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare West Columbia to nearby cities

WEST COLUMBIA VS
Oak Grove
Income$74,554+68%
Home value$210,300+35%
Population12,256−34%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST COLUMBIA VS
St. Andrews
Income$46,511+5%
Home value$161,300+3%
Population19,868+7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST COLUMBIA VS
Cayce
Income$62,045+40%
Home value$166,800+7%
Population13,680−26%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WEST COLUMBIA VS
Seven Oaks
Income$62,955+42%
Home value$208,400+33%
Population15,921−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in West Columbia, South Carolina?

West Columbia, South Carolina has about 17,416 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in West Columbia, South Carolina?

The typical household in West Columbia, South Carolina earns about $44,282 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 $156,200, and the typical rent is about $852 a month.

How educated are people in West Columbia, South Carolina?

About 34.3% 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 19.0% 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 6,828 residents, a change of about 64 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 →