County · South Carolina
Richland County, South Carolina
Richland County, South Carolina. Richland County had 434,956 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.5% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 16 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 9 census-designated) and 98 census tracts. GEOID 45079.
Richland County is one of the 6 counties of the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
434,956
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 416,147 · ACS 2020-2024: 422,117
Median household income
$63,784
±$1,530 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$242,800
±$4,791 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$1,228
±$21 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Richland County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 416,147 residents in Richland County. The Census Bureau estimates 434,956 for July 1, 2025, up 4.5% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 422,117 over 757 square miles of land.
| Measure | Richland County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 422,117 | 5,296,225 | +10,760 |
| Households | 167,961±1,263 | 2,117,989 | +16,108 |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.16 |
| Housing units | 187,611±138 | 2,443,039 | +14,568 |
Richland County's population since 2000
From 320,677 in 2000 to 434,956 in 2025: up 35.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Richland County?
Richland County holds 16 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 9 census-designated places. The largest is Columbia with 147,035 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Columbia | 136,632 | $55,529 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Andrews | 20,675 | $46,511 |
| Dentsville | 14,431 | $45,473 |
| Forest Acres | 10,617 | $78,306 |
| Woodfield | 9,199 | $45,526 |
| Lake Murray of Richland | 8,110 | $119,107 |
| Irmo | 11,569 | $80,489 |
| Blythewood | 4,772 | $94,167 |
| Capitol View | 4,653 | $46,645 |
| Hopkins | 2,514 | $50,063 |
| Arthurtown | 2,294 | $21,046 |
| Gadsden | 1,301 | $52,966 |
| OlympiaGEOID 4552900 | 1,087 | $29,663 |
| Arcadia Lakes | 865 | $103,250 |
| Eastover | 614 | $20,735 |
| Cayce | 13,781 | $62,045 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Richland County?
The median resident of Richland County is 34.4 years old; 21.6% are under 18 and 14.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 46.9%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 39.4%. 6.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Richland County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.4±0.2 | 40.2 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 21.6%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.1%±0.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.4% | 7.4% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 39.4%±0.1 pts | 61.9% | −2.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 46.9%±0.3 pts | 24.6% | +0.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.1 pts | 1.7% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.0%±0.4 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.7%±0.4 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.7%±0.5 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.3%±0.6 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.7%±0.6 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.2%±0.5 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.7%±1.1 pts | 32.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 17.3%±0.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 6.0%±0.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Richland County earn?
Half of Richland County's 167,961 households earn less than $63,784 a year (±$1,530), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $67,401 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $3,617 after inflation. 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Richland County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,784±$1,530 | $69,324 | −$3,617 |
| Mean household income | $90,966±$2,253 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,859±$933 | $39,236 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.2%±1.1 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.5%±2.4 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 10.6%±0.8 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.4%±0.8 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Richland County?
Owners occupy 60.3% of Richland County's occupied homes and renters 39.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $242,800 by its owner (±$4,791). The median renter pays $1,228 a month including utilities, and 49.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Richland County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $242,800±$4,791 | $259,000 | +$42,074 |
| Median gross rent | $1,228±$21 | $1,180 | +$32 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.4%±2.3 pts | 42.8% | +5.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,533±$29 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.3%±0.9 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 187,611±138 | 2,443,039 | +14,568 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3%±1.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.7%±1.0 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.5%±0.5 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.3%±0.3 pts | 3.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Richland County building?
Builders took permits for 3,382 new housing units across Richland County in 2025 (2,336 single-family), 7.8 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Richland County get to work?
71.3% of Richland County's workers drive alone and 12.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.4%.
| Measure | Richland County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.6%±0.7 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4%±0.7 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.3%±1.1 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.9%±0.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 5.4%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.5%±0.7 pts | 11.5% | +9.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min±0.5 | 25.6 min | +1.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Richland County's census tracts?
Richland County is divided into 98 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $14,945 (Tract 109) to $199,375 (Tract 23).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Richland County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 2nd of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 2nd of 46 |
| Median household income | 17th of 46 |
| Median home value | 11th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 9th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4th of 46 |
| Median age | 46th of 46 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Richland County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.