City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

West Columbia, SC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for West Columbia - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

17,723
Residents
$54,152
Median income
$186,200
Median home
$1,276
Median rent (state)

West Columbia - the verdict

Nationally, West Columbia sits in the 26th percentile for household income and the 3rd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

26th
percentile, household income
39th
percentile, home value
44th
percentile, median rent
3rd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: West Columbia, SC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 17,723 residents in West Columbia, a small town within South Carolina. West Columbia households earn a median of $54,152 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.6%. Home values in West Columbia run a median of $186,200, and the median resident age is 37.2 years. Educational attainment runs 38.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 59 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 38% from five years earlier. West Columbia's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 5185.3 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Carolina at 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,276 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in South Carolina run around $224, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 16.6 minutes, with 79.8% driving alone and 8.1% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 90.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

17,723 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$54,152 /yr

Poverty 7.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does West Columbia compare to other US cities?

Where West Columbia sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 26% higher than other cities
Home value 39% pricier than other cities
Median rent 44% pricier than other cities
Safety 3% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at South Carolina, West Columbia ranks #100 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares West Columbia against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to South Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Carolina-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places West Columbia toward the top of South Carolina's cities

Among the 441 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, West Columbia ranks #64 - the 85th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares West Columbia only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#180 of 403
55th percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#118 of 441
59th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#155 of 404
62nd percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#303 of 439
31st percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#64 of 441
85th percentile in South Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within South Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

26thIncome percentile
3rdSafety percentile

26th percentile nationally for median household income · 3rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Columbia's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West Columbia's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 29 Avg. percentile National median
West Columbia's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How West Columbia's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$186,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 61% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. West Columbia $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - West Columbia, SC West Columbia, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Columbia, SC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution West Columbia, SC median $54,152/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
West Columbia, SC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for West Columbia, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 38.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
17,723
Median Income
$54,152
Median Home Value
$186,200
Median Age
37.2
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Labor force participation
60.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
38.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5185.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
747.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4437.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
17,000 residents17,500 residents18,000 residents18,500 residents19,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,489 residents 18,489 residents ▲ +5.7%
West Columbia's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
59
housing units authorized
Single-Family
57
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 95
2020 83
2021 106
2022 334
2023 29
2024 59

Permit volume decreased 38% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.6 minutes
Drive Alone
79.8%
Carpool
7.5%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
8.1%
Other
3.6%

Based on 8,969 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$52
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$224
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a South Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county West Columbia sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,276/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Clemson
17,759 people
Berea
16,642 people
Red Hill
16,480 people
Five Forks
19,093 people
Ladson
16,261 people
North Myrtle Beach
19,343 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Columbia's 17,723 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Calverton, MD
17,721 people
Troy, AL
17,733 people
Godfrey, IL
17,743 people
North Canton, OH
17,746 people
Holly Springs, GA
17,693 people
North Valley Stream, NY
17,756 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Columbia's $54,152 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

New Albany, IN
$54,152 median income
Iaeger, WV
$54,152 median income
Havana, FL
$54,153 median income
Holyoke, CO
$54,154 median income
Kingston, AR
$54,141 median income
Tekamah, NE
$54,139 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Columbia, SC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition West Columbia, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 65.9% 16.0% 12.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.6% White 65.9% Black or African American 16.0% Asian 3.5% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 12.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How West Columbia compares to nearby South Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
West Columbia (this city) 17,723 $54,152
Clemson 17,759 $49,713
Berea 16,642 $48,104
Red Hill 16,480 $62,132
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Columbia, SC?

What is the population of West Columbia, SC? +

The population of West Columbia, SC stands at 17,723 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Columbia, SC? +

The median household income in West Columbia is $54,152 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Columbia? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for West Columbia; the closest available measure is the South Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 93.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Carolina vary by metro area.

Is West Columbia, SC safe? +

West Columbia has a total crime rate of 5185.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in West Columbia, SC? +

The median home value in West Columbia is $186,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.