How many people live in the Columbia, SC area?
Updated Mar. 4, 2026Refreshed annually
In 2024 there were 870,200 people in the Columbia, SC area. That makes the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area the 70th-most populous metro area in the US. It is home to 0.26% of the nation's population.
870K
population of Columbia, SC area (2024)
0.26%
Columbia, SC area share of US population (2024)
Between 2010 and 2024, the population of the Columbia, SC area increased from 769,300 to 870,200—a 13.1% increase. During that same period, the US population grew 9.9%.
About 870,200 people lived in the Columbia, SC area in 2024.
Population estimates of the Columbia, SC Metro Area, 2010–2024
What are the age demographics of the Columbia, SC area?
About 16.9% of the Columbia, SC area's population in 2024 was aged 65 years or older, lower than the 18% share in the nation overall. Children (under 18) account for 21.8% of the Columbia, SC area population, above the 21.6% population share of children nationwide.
A lower share of the Columbia, SC area population is 65 and older than the US overall.
Population share by age group in Columbia, SC Metro Area and the US overall (2024)
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of the Columbia, SC area?
Non-Hispanic Black or African American residents make up 34.1% of the Columbia, SC area population, higher than the national share of 12.6%.
Racial and ethnic make up differ based on location. These figures reflect how people identified their race alone (not in combination with other races), and separate out Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, following Census reporting standards.
A higher share of the Columbia, SC area population is non-Hispanic Black or African American than the US overall.
Population share by race and ethnicity in Columbia, SC Metro Area and the US overall (2024)
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
