Richland County, SC

County

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Population

414,576

0.725% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

Median Age

33.5

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Household Income

$52,159

0.41% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$163,600

2.73% 1-year decline

Number of Employees

195,352

2.39% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Richland County, SC had a population of 415k people with a median age of 33.5 and a median household income of $52,159. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Richland County, SC grew from 411,592 to 414,576, a 0.725% increase and its median household income grew from $51,946 to $52,159, a 0.41% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Richland County, SC are Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (46%), White (Non-Hispanic) (41.9%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.34%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.01%), and White (Hispanic) (2.36%). NaNk% of the people in Richland County, SC speak a non-English language, and 97.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Richland County, SC are University of South Carolina-Columbia (9,467 degrees awarded in 2017), Columbia College (217934) (419 degrees), and South University-Columbia (398 degrees).

The median property value in Richland County, SC is $163,600, and the homeownership rate is 58.1%. Most people in Richland County, SC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 22.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Richland County, SC is 2 cars per household.

Richland County, SC borders Calhoun County, SC, Fairfield County, SC, Kershaw County, SC, Newberry County, SC, Sumter County, SC, and Lexington County, SC.

About the photo: State Capitol, Columbia, SC

Photo by Ron Cogswell

United States South Carolina Columbia, SC

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for South Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in South Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of South Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Richland County, SC went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 64% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.1%), followed by Other (4.89%). The most partisan county was Allendale County, SC with 76.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (64%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (31.1%)
Republican Party
Other (4.89%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 64% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.1%), followed by Other (4.89%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of South Carolina.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Richland County, SC

64% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in South Carolina

Allendale County, SC
76.1% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Pickens County, SC
73.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Oconee County, SC
71.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in South Carolina was Allendale County, SC with 76.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in South Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from South Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Lindsey Graham

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2013
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Richland County, SC is home to a population of 415k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2018, 5.4% of Richland County, SC residents were born outside of the country (22.4k people).

In 2018, there were 1.1 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (191k people) in Richland County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 174k White (Non-Hispanic) and 13.9k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Richland County, SC

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
191k ± 3.91k
White (Non-Hispanic)
174k ± 780
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
13.9k ± 4.06k

5.19%

Hispanic Population

21.5k people

5.19% of the people in Richland County, SC are hispanic (21.5k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Richland County, SC as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

5.4%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

22.4k people

5.48%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

22.6k people

As of 2018, 5.4% of Richland County, SC residents (22.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Richland County, SC was 5.48%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Richland County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 3.6

In 2018, the median age of all people in Richland County, SC was 33.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 33, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Richland County, SC are getting getting younger. In 2017, the average age of all Richland County, SC residents was 34.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
62,118 ± 6,082 people
India
17,415 ± 3,234 people
Germany
13,326 ± 2,830 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 62,118 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 17,415 and Germany with 13,326.

Citizenship

97.4%

2018 Citizenship

96.9%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.4% of Richland County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Richland County, SC was 96.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Richland County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
8,966 ± 2,009
Vietnam
8,832 ± 1,052
Gulf War (1990s)
5,816 ± 1,318

Richland County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.02 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Richland County, SC is $52,159. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Richland County, SC was Census Tract 23 with a value of $106,250, followed by Census Tract 103.07 and Census Tract 103.06, with respective values of $99,851 and $94,042.

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,129. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.464, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Richland County, SC employs 195k people. The largest industries in Richland County, SC are Health Care & Social Assistance (28,255 people), Retail Trade (23,813 people), and Educational Services (22,755 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($71,474), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($51,079), and Public Administration ($49,534).

Wages

Median Household Income

$52,159

2018 value

± $2,724

0.41%

1 Year Growth

± 7.09%

Households in Richland County, SC have a median annual income of $52,159, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $51,946 in 2017, which represents a 0.41% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Richland County, SC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

$59,728

Average Male Salary in South Carolina

± $1,565

$44,129

Average Female Salary in South Carolina

± $1,115

In 2018, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in South Carolina

Asian
$58,374 ± $10,504
White
$51,299 ± $1,155
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$40,072 ± $12,512

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.14 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in South Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Richland County, SC is from South Carolina.

0.464

2018 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.466

2017 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2018, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.464 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.279% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 23
Census Tract 103.07
Census Tract 103.06

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Richland County, SC was Census Tract 23 with a value of $106,250, followed by Census Tract 103.07 and Census Tract 103.06, with respective values of $99,851 and $94,042.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Richland County, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

16.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Richland County, SC (61.6k out of 378k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Black
37,066 ± 1,560
White
17,945 ± 1,006
Hispanic
4,462 ± 555

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Richland County, SC is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

195k

2018 Value

± 8,736

-2.39%

1 Year decline

± 6.27%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Richland County, SC declined at a rate of -2.39%, from 200k employees to 195k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Richland County, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (24,106 people), Sales & Related Occupations (21,962 people), and Management Occupations (16,355 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Richland County, SC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Richland County, SC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (24,106 people), Sales & Related Occupations (21,962 people), and Management Occupations (16,355 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Richland County, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.51 times higher than expected), Community & Social Service Occupations (1.38 times), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (1.31 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Richland County, SC, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($68,219), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($66,384), and Management Occupations ($60,012).

Industries

Employment by Industries

195k

2018 Value

± 8,736

-2.39%

1 Year decline

± 6.27%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Richland County, SC declined at a rate of -2.39%, from 200k employees to 195k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Richland County, SC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (28,255 people), Retail Trade (23,813 people), and Educational Services (22,755 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Richland County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Richland County, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Richland County, SC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (28,255 people), Retail Trade (23,813 people), and Educational Services (22,755 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Richland County, SC has an unusually high number of Public Administration (1.51 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.44 times), and Information (1.44 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Richland County, SC, by median earnings, are Utilities ($71,474), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($51,079), and Public Administration ($49,534).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Plastics/rubber with $15.9B, followed by Machinery ($15.2B) and Mixed freight ($11.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$163B

2015 Value in South Carolina

$244B

Projected 2045 Value in South Carolina

49.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound South Carolina trade was $163B. This is expected to increase 49.4% to $244B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$22.2B
Georgia
$13.4B
Tennessee
$5.71B

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $22.2B, followed by Georgia with $13.4B and Tennessee and $5.71B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Richland County, SC awarded 12,069 degrees. The student population of Richland County, SC is skewed towards women, with 18,312 male students and 24,478 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Richland County, SC are White (7,837 and 67.4%), followed by Black or African American (2,488 and 21.4%), Hispanic or Latino (461 and 3.96%), and Two or More Races (294 and 2.53%).

The largest universities in Richland County, SC by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina-Columbia (9,467 and 78.4%), Columbia College (217934) (419 and 3.47%), and South University-Columbia (398 and 3.3%).

The most popular majors in Richland County, SC are General Business Administration & Management (700 and 5.8%), General Finance (477 and 3.95%), and General Marketing & Marketing Management (434 and 3.6%).

The median tuition costs in Richland County, SC are $17,714 for private four year colleges, and $11,462 and $31,562 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
483 degree-majorss awarded
General Finance
477 degree-majorss awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
434 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Richland County, SC was General Business Administration & Management with 483 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Richland County, SC according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of South Carolina-Columbia
9,467 degrees awarded
Columbia College (217934)
419 degrees awarded
South University-Columbia
398 degrees awarded

$11,462

Median In-State Public

$17,714

Median Private

In 2017, the Richland County, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina-Columbia with 9,467 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

4,985

Degrees Awarded to Men

7,084

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 4,985 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Richland County, SC, which is 0.704 times less than the 7,084 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Richland County, SC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
7,837 degrees awarded
Black or African American
2,488 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
461 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Richland County, SC were to White students. These 7,837 degrees mean that there were 3.15 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 2,488 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Richland County, SC was $163,600 in 2018, which is 0.712 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $168,200 to $163,600, a 2.73% decrease. The homeownership rate in Richland County, SC is 58.1%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Richland County, SC have an average commute time of 22.1 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Richland County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$163,600

2018 Median

± $5,901

$168,200

2017 Median

± $5,700

In 2018, the median property value in Richland County, SC declined from to $163,600 from the previous year's value of $168,200.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Richland County, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Richland County, SC the largest share of households have a property value in the $125k - $150k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$52,159

Median Household Income

± $2,724

152k

Number of Households

± 6,801

In 2018, the median household income of the 152k households in Richland County, SC grew to $52,159 from the previous year's value of $51,946.

The following chart displays the households in Richland County, SC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Richland County, SC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Richland County, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

58.1%

2018 Homeownership

59.3%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 58.1% of the housing units in Richland County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 59.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Richland County, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

22.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Richland County, SC have a shorter commute time (22.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.64% of the workforce in Richland County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Richland County, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
76.6%
Carpooled
9.47%
Walked
7.51%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Richland County, SC was Drove Alone (76.6%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.47%) and those who Walked (7.51%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Richland County, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Richland County, SC have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

Health

90.5% of the population of Richland County, SC has health coverage, with 47.6% on employee plans, 14.4% on Medicaid, 7.34% on Medicare, 16.7% on non-group plans, and 4.4% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in South Carolina was $7,311 in 2014. This is a 4.15% increase from the previous year ($7,020).

Primary care physicians in Richland County, SC see 1176 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.759% decrease from the previous year (1185 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1194 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 341 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dillon County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.1%). Additionally, Lee County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (42.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,176 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Richland County, SC

Primary care physicians in Richland County, SC see an average of 1,176 patients per year. This represents a 0.759% decrease from the previous year (1,185 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Richland County, SC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

$7,311

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in South Carolina

$4,235

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,491

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,298

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in South Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.15%, from $7,020 to $7,311.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

9.52%

Uninsured

47.6%

Employer Coverage

14.4%

Medicaid

7.34%

Medicare

16.7%

Non-Group

4.4%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Richland County, SC grew by 22.1% from 7.8% to 9.52%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Richland County, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.