EZ Home Search Guide to Living in Richland County, SC 

Want to be close to everything that South Carolina has to offer? Live in Richland County, the center of the state. Not only is Richland home to the state capitol, but your location means the mountains to the beaches are a few short hours’ drive. Plus, the so-called “Soda City” is a dynamic place to live, with a youthful atmosphere thanks to its large universities and role as the epicenter of state politics.

Learn more about life in Richland County, South Carolina.

About Richland County

As mentioned, Richland County is in the heart of South Carolina. Much of the eastern area is devoted to Columbia, the state capital. Columbia is the state’s largest city by population. The county itself is second in population to Greenville County.

Richland supposedly earned its name due to its “rich lands.” It was an important agricultural area, buoyed by the rivers that comprise its borders and cut through the region. Sections of the Wateree River, Congaree River, Saluda River, Broad River, and Lake Murray make up parts of the boundaries.  Richland County is surrounded by Fairfield, Sumter, Calhoun, Lexington, and Newberry County. It’s also bisected by interstates I-77, I-20, and I-26. 

The topography of Richland is slightly diverse. Large parts are sandhills with well-drained soils and longleaf pine forests. In the north are more red hills, while wide valleys and swamps are found in the south and eastern areas. The diverse types of soil enabled a range of agriculture, from peaches to melons to cotton. 

Columbia and its surrounding suburbs are known as “Soda City,” not from any affiliation with soda products but thanks to an old abbreviation for Columbia, “Cola.” While that abbreviation isn’t used anymore, the nickname has stuck. 

Richland County History

The Congaree tribe once lived in modern-day Richland County. The tribe was displaced due to European settlers moving into the Carolinas, but their name remains on the Congaree River that comprises the county’s southern border.

Richland County’s lands were originally part of the Camden District. After the American Revolution, this district was separated into two counties, Lexington and Richland. Richland was officially designated in 1785 and given its name due to its bountiful agricultural production. 

The early South Carolina lawmakers decided to set up a state capital along the Congaree River rather than Charleston because it was a more central location. This move created Columbia, which grew in population and importance as it became the county seat and home to the state’s university in 1804. 

Changing the capital to here also brought significant trade and manufacturing into the area. The cotton grown on the surrounding plantations was shipped through Columbia and manufactured into textiles at the mills set up around the region. 

By the start of the American Civil War, Columbia was the largest inland community in the Carolinas, with Richland County serving as a regional crossroads. General William T Sherman captured the city towards the end of the Civil War. The troops burned it as part of his march to the coast. 

The US Army selected the area to establish Fort Jackson in 1917. The large army base and World War I industry helped the city swell from 23,000 residents in 1870 to 78,000 by 50 years later. 

During the Great Depression era, rapid change came to the agricultural community. New industrial and commercial facilities were designed to meet the needs of the growing metropolis. Richland County transitioned from an agricultural hub with 3,200 farms to just 382 farms by 1980. Modern Richland County is a thriving urban center for South Carolina.

Columbia has been home to some notable Americans, including President Woodrow Wilson. He lived in Columbia for a time when growing up.

Richland County Cities And Areas

State capital Columbia makes up a large amount of Richland County. Its border partially lies inside neighboring Lexington County. Columbia has the highest population in the state. The city has a downtown area, urban neighborhoods, college neighborhoods, and suburban communities. 

Richland is also home to Fort Jackson, a US Army base established in 1917. It is named after US President Andrew Jackson, who was born along the Carolina border. Around 14,000 active soldiers and their families reside on or near Fort Jackson. The army base takes up 52,000 acres near the county center, with its easternmost borders against Columbia’s suburbs of Forest Acres and Capitol View.

Irmo is a large suburb of Columbia situated near Lake Murray. It is home to around 12,000 residents. Despite its large size, Irmo does not have an established downtown area. Part of the town lies inside Lexington County.

Blythewood is another large suburb of Columbia. Historically, it was one of the area’s crossroads destroyed by General Sherman’s troops through the American Civil War. The town’s original name was Doku based on a Native American tribe that relied on the area for a watering source. The town has seen significant growth in the last three decades. 

The Forest Acres suburb is around 20 minutes from Columbia. The town is like a city-within-a-city, with some large neighborhood parks and a robust school system. Over 10,000 people live in the Forest Acres area.

Dentsville is in the northeastern tip of Columbia. It’s close to several Richland County smaller lakes and The Spur at Northwoods Golf Club. Over 15,000 people live in Dentsville. 

St. Andrews is a densely populated suburb that lies along the Broad River and the Lexington County border. Just across the river is Columbia International University. Over 20,000 people live in St. Andrews. 

The small town of Hopkins lies just 6 miles northwest of the state’s only National Park, the Congaree National Park. It was founded around 1836 and today has a population around 3,000. 

Southeast Richland County remains more rural, between the Congaree National Park and Fort Jackson. You’ll find small southern towns like Eastover, Gadsden, and Wateree.

Richland County Job Market

Major industries have been attracted to Richland County as an industrial and manufacturing hub for the state. Some of the major employers are in health care and social assistance, public administration, retail trades, education services, and finance and insurance. 

The area’s major employers include Amazon, Blue Cross, the Department of Defense, Charter Communications, the Richland County School Districts, the University of South Carolina, Wells Fargo & Company, and the City of Columbia. The county has central hubs or headquarters for Tyson, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Pure Power Technologies, International Paper, and SoftDocs.

During 2020, Richland had an unemployment rate of 5.8%, below the state and national averages for the year. As of June 2021, its unemployment rate was 4.6%, while the state reported 4.5%. Both were below the national average of 6.1% in June 2021. The occupations with the most reported job openings were registered nurses, sales representatives in wholesale and manufacturing, managers, customer service representatives, and retail salespersons. 

Richland County’s Community profile projects that the job market will grow from 381,000 in 2016 to 427,000 employees positions by 2026.

The community profile predicts the most growth by 2026 will be in the transportation and warehousing industry, followed by accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, and administrative and support roles.

Richland County Real Estate Market Highlights

Based on information supplied by the Central Carolina’s Real Estate Association in August 2021, Richland County area available real estate inventory is finally increasing after months of historic declines.

Homebuyers faced a lack of supply and increasing median home prices for the 12-month period beginning August 2020.

The July 2021 market overview shows a dip in the number of new listings in the summer of 2020, followed by a slow and steady increase up to July 2021. The inventory of homes available for sale drops dramatically in the Richland County area throughout 2020. 

We also see a steady decline in the days on the market starting in 2019. At the same time, median sales prices begin to accelerate. 

As of July 2021, the county market experienced:

• A 21% increase in the number of new listings year-over-year
• A 63% drop in the days on market to 17 days
• A 10.6% increase in the median sales price. 

Median sale prices for residential real estate in July 2021 reached $228,625. The month’s supply of inventory hovered around one month, a 41.2% decline from July 2020. 

The Central Carolinas Real Estate Association reports break down the data further by price point and housing characteristics. For specific market information and more current data, contact EZ Home Search.

Richland County Population Growth

The county has seen slow but steady year-over-year increases in its population over the last decade. The average age of a resident was 33.8 years old. According to the 2020 US Census Data release, Richland County’s population grew 8.2% over the last ten years. The updated census counted 416,147 residents. It has the second largest population in the state, behind Greenville County. 

Columbia only grew by 5.7%, but with 136,632 residents, the capital remains the most populated city in the state. Blythewood experienced the most growth, 134.6%, and now has a population of 4,772.

The Richland County Community Profile shows the age demographic with the most residents was the 20-to-24-year-old group, followed closely by the 15-to-19-year-old age bracket. 

Demographically, around 47.2% of county residents identified as white only, while 45.9% identified as black or African-American. Approximately 4.5% identified as two or more races.

Richland County Education

Richland County families are served by three public school districts that provide education to over 70,000 students in grades K-to-12. You can find which school district services a particular area by using the Richland County internet mapping tool. 

• District 1 is the ninth-largest school district in the state. It serves 24,000 students across 52 different schools. Its service area spans 480 square miles along the western side of the county.
• District 2 is in the northeast area of Richland County. It serves students in Richland County and Fort Jackson. The population is 27,000 students that are spread across 40 different schools.
• Lexington-Richland District 5 is in the northwest portion of the county. It serves students in Richland and Lexington counties, with approximately half being on the Richland County side of the border. Its service area has a total of 17,000 students across 23 different schools.
• Some of the area’s top-rated public schools include Lake Murray Elementary School, Spring Valley High School, and Spring Hill High School. 

Over 21 private schools are available for families in Richland County. Some of the top-performing private schools include Hammond School, Ben Lippen School, and Cardinal Newman. 

Eight higher education institutions are available to Richland County residents. The primary one is the University of South Carolina, the largest education institution in the state. Over 52,000 students are enrolled and pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies.

Benedict College is also located in Columbia. This is a historically black college or university (HBCU) known for excellence in its high-demand fields of study like sports management, STEM, and computer science. 

Columbia College is a private liberal arts college founded by the United Methodist Church. It offers bachelor’s degrees and ten master’s programs. Historically a women’s college, it became fully co-educational in 2020 and welcomed its first co-ed residential class in fall 2021. 

Midlands Technical College is a two-year public college offering 150 skilled-based programs. Campuses are near Fort Jackson and in the northeast.

Allen University is a four-year private, faith-based liberal arts institution with 11 undergraduate programs and two master’s programs in religious studies.

Columbia International University is a four-year Christian college with 24 undergraduate majors, graduate and seminary programs, and professional certificates.

South University is a four-year College offering baccalaureate, masters and doctoral programs of study. Its Columbia campus was established in 2002. Its programs include nursing, pharmacy, business & technology, health care, criminal justice, and public health.

Richland County Health Care

Major health care providers in Richland County provide an array of services to assist the area’s residents.

MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center has a 332-bed facility in downtown plus a Northeast campus. Its medical services range from emergency services, orthopedics, cardiology, and radiology. The Northeast hospital has a comprehensive cardiac department, plus specialists in urology and sleep disorders.

Prisma Health Baptist Hospital is a 352-bed center with over 740 affiliated doctors. The hospital specializes in heart, cancer, and orthopedic treatments. It also earned Magnet program recognition for its nursing care.

Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital has a 76-bed facility to service residents of Irmo, Harbison, Chapin, and Dutch Fork. Its specialties include maternity care, medical and surgical inpatient care, intensive care, and diagnostic services.

Prisma Health Richland Hospital has a 641-bed facility. There are over 4,200 employees who work in a range of specialties. Its notable areas include behavior care, cancer, heart, obstreperous, orthopedics, neonatology, stroke, and trauma. 

Richland County Things To Do

Life is dynamic inside Richland County. The high number of collegiate institutions leads to a robust nightlife scene, especially in Columbia itself. Colonial Life Arena is the scene for concerts and large-scale events, but you can also find intimate venues like Township Auditorium and the Koger Center. 

Columbia is also the destination for family entertainment, with trampoline parks, escape rooms, movie theaters, museums, and historic sites. 

Columbia doesn’t have a professional sports team, but the University of South Carolina athletics has a competitive football, basketball, and track and field program. 

You’re never far from exploring those “rich lands” that gave the area its name. Take advantage of numerous outdoor recreation opportunities available, from neighborhood parks to the state’s only National Park. The Congaree National Park, located in southern Richland County, preserves the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest still left in the United States. The park spans over 26,000 acres. 

For the golfer, there are also several notable golf courses. Among these are Oak Hills, once named one of the best places to play, The Woodlands Golf & Country Club, and the Linrick golf course. All of these offer championship courses, picturesque terrain, and rolling hills. 

Lake Murray and its world-class fishing make it a boating destination. Along with the area’s several rivers, you are never far from a day relaxing on the water.

Richland County Local Attractions

Sesquicentennial State Park is located in South Carolina’s Sandhills region. Locals call the park “Sesqui,” as it was built during the Great Depression to commemorate the City of Columbia’s 150th anniversary. Rent paddleboards and explore the nearby lake.

Straddling the Lexington County border, The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is a 170-acre zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden along the Saluda River. It’s a great day to spend with the family, as it has a splash pad for the kids in the summer.

Walk along the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park to see the old Canal works. The surrounding area has been converted into natural hiking and biking trails.

The Columbia Museum of Art was originally the private residence of the Taylor family, a prominent family in local history. It is adjacent to the University of South Carolina campus and close to the South Carolina State House. It has been the home of the Columbia Museum of Art for over 50 years.

The South Carolina State Museum has four floors of exhibits, a digital dome planetarium, interactive theater, and observatory. It is along the Congaree River in downtown Columbia.

History buffs will enjoy the South Carolina State House, which houses the South Carolina General Assembly, offices of the governor, and lieutenant governor.

The Soda City Market is a gathering of food trucks in tinted stalls showcasing locally-made arts and crafts. It is a weekly Main Street event inspired by traditional European street markets. 

Richland County Dining

The county is a melting pot of cultures, with immigrants bringing unique flavors to the local scene. Columbia has the most diverse options when it comes to dining out in Richland County. You will find everything from traditional South Carolina-inspired dishes to restaurants serving globally inspired cuisine. 

Here are a few examples of what you have available in the area:

• Blue Marlin serves A fusion of African, West Indian, and Caribbean flavors.
• Mr. Friendly’s has a sophisticated yet casual take on southern cuisine. It prides itself on using fresh ingredients with simple preparations, drawing from local farmers’ and sources.
• Motor Supply Co. Bistro is another farm-to-table offering located in the historic Congaree Vista. They change their menu daily and blend American, Asian, French, and Italian styles of cooking.
• Saluda’s Restaurant is in the Five Points neighborhood of Columbia. This is a special event type of dining out venue.
• 929 Kitchen & Bar Is inspired by Korean cuisine and is located in the Vista area of Columbia.

Richland County Shopping

Being a highly-populated region, residents have numerous retailers available to service all daily and specialty needs. You can find everything from major brand name retailers in the Richland Mall to Farmer’s Markets to specialty boutique shops.

The Richland Mall off Forest Drive in Columbia is home to retailers like Belk, Barnes & Noble Bookstores, and a Regal Cinema. 

Shop with history at The Arcade Building. Located within the 1300 block of Main Street, the Arcade Mall was Columbia’s first indoor shopping center. Find dining and local retailers within the building.  

Columbia Place is one of the largest shopping malls in the state, located off of I-20 and I-77. It is anchored by Macy’s and has other retailers such as Foot Locker, GNC, Journeys, Magic City, and Party City. 

For outdoor shopping experiences, choose between the Cross Hill Market and the Trenholm Plaza. Both of these have local and national retailers in a more neighborhood-style shopping venue.  

The Village at Sandhill is another open-air shopping mall with three large retail centers in the village. The Town Center has a Main Street-styled entrance with a selection of lifestyle retailers and restaurants. It also hosts live entertainment, cultural and holiday events, and community activities. 

Richland County Local Favorites

While you are a Richland County resident, catch a game of the Columbia Fireflies, the local Minor League Baseball Team.

The Robert Mills House and Garden is a historic place built in 1823. It is listed on the National Historic Landmark for its architectural significance.

The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum preserve artifacts from the state during the Revolutionary and Civil War.

The Milton Memorial Observatory is an astronomical observatory operated by the University of South Carolina.

The Waverly Historic District is a National Historic District with 132 contributing buildings. It was the first suburban development in Columbia. It evolved into a self-sustaining black community during the segregation era. It was home to many Civil Rights activists.

Residents cool off during the dog days of summer at Saluda Shoals. The water’s temperature hovers near 65 degrees all year long.

Living In Richland County

For a more urban style of South Carolina living, definitely check out Richland County. You can live in the state capital of Columbia, one of its many suburbs, or find a more rural homestead that is still close to urban amenities. The people here still live up to the south’s notorious hospitality but also offer more diversity and cultural experiences.