RANK #544 / 996 · POP 416,161 · SC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
Richland County, South Carolina, is defined by its central location in the state and its county seat, Columbia, which serves as the state capital. The county is bisected by Interstates 20, 26, and 77, facilitating commutes within the region and to nearby areas. The Broad and Saluda rivers converge here to form the Congaree River, contributing to the area's natural landscape. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Congaree National Park, known for its old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, along with Harbison State Forest and Sesquicentennial State Park. The community offers a mix of urban amenities in Columbia and more rural settings in towns like Blythewood and Eastover.
Life in Richland County attracts a mix of families and young professionals, with public schools generally performing above average. Commute options include personal vehicles and public transit provided by The COMET, which operates bus routes throughout Richland and parts of Lexington counties. The economy is experiencing growth, with recent investments in commercial and residential development, as well as the manufacturing and energy sectors. The presence of the University of South Carolina and Fort Jackson, a major U.S. Army training base, also contribute to the local economy and community.
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Scout Motors Manufacturing Plant
Scout Motors
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Project West Manufacturing Facility
Undisclosed (Project West)
|
$400M | Proposed |
|
Cirba Solutions Lithium-ion Battery Recycling and Materials Campus
Cirba Solutions
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
Pontiac Solar Farm
Pontiac Solar LLC
|
$112M | Planned |
|
Eastover Solar Farm
Eastover Solar (Community Energy)
|
$80M | Operating |
|
Affordable Housing Communities (Oak Grove at Hunt Club & Willowbrook)
Columbia Housing Authority
|
$70M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Richland County has a Boom Town Index score of 45/100, ranking #544 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $59,850, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Richland County is $201,200 with median rent at $1,142/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2975, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed +1.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.17% of Richland County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.