Richland County, SC Local Data & Statistics

State: SC
Total population: 422,117 Household income: $63,784 Rent: $1,228

Overview

Total population
422,117
Rent
$1,228
Year built
1989
Household income
$63,784
Per capita income
$37,859
Poverty rate
17.2%
Unemployment rate
4.2%
Household size
2.4 persons
Rent over 30% of income
54.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
South Carolina
Total population
422,117
Adults over 25
268,711
Total households
167,961
Household size
2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$63,784
Per capita income
$37,859
Poverty rate
17.2%
Unemployment rate
4.2%
Rent over 30% of income
54.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,228
Year built
1989
Households that rent
39.7%
Households that own
60.3%
Rooms per home (all homes)
5.7

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
40.4%
Black
47.4%
Asian
3%
Two or more races
6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
6.4%
Not Hispanic or Latino
93.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
87.5%
Commute time to work
23 mins
Work from home
12.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
27.5%
High school graduate or GED
21.6%
Some college or associate degree
10.2%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
40.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of Richland County, SC with: Columbia Metro Area, SC South Carolina United States

Richland County, SC

Total population422,117
Rent$1,228
Year built1989
Household income$63,784
Per capita income$37,859
Poverty rate17.2%
Unemployment rate4.2%

Columbia Metro Area, SC

Total population849,181
Rent$1,193
Year built1991
Household income$68,359
Per capita income$37,960
Poverty rate14.5%
Unemployment rate4%

South Carolina State

Total population5,296,225
Rent$1,180
Year built1992
Household income$69,324
Per capita income$39,236
Poverty rate14.1%
Unemployment rate4.2%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric CountyRichland County, SCMetro AreaColumbia Metro Area, SCStateSouth CarolinaCountryUnited States
Total population422,117849,1815,296,225334,922,499
Rent$1,228$1,193$1,180$1,413
Year built1989199119921980
Household income$63,784$68,359$69,324$80,734
Per capita income$37,859$37,960$39,236$44,673
Poverty rate17.2%14.5%14.1%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.2%4%4.2%4%

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Summary for Richland County, SC

Richland County is located in South Carolina .

Rent & Income

In Richland County, the monthly rent is $1,228 and household income is $63,784. Rent is similar to South Carolina and lower than the U.S., and household income is lower than both South Carolina and the U.S. The poverty rate is 17.2%, which is higher than both South Carolina and the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 39.7% of households. About 54.3% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 40.7% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The unemployment rate is 4.2%, which is similar to both South Carolina and the national rate.

 

 

Richland County, SC — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Richland County, SC — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Richland County, SC (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,228 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Richland County, SC

Annual Household Income: $63,784

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Richland County, SC

Estimated Rate: 17.2%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Richland County, SC

In Richland County, SC, households that rent: 66,738 (39.7%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 66,738 39.7%
Owner-Occupied 101,223 60.3%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Richland County, SC

In Richland County, SC, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 36,266 (54.3%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 36,266 54.3%
Other renter households 30,472 45.7%
Total renter households 66,738 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Richland County, SC

Less than High School: 73,801 people (27.5%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 58,092 people (21.6%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 27,416 people (10.2%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 109,402 people (40.7%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 268,711

📊 Unemployment Rate in Richland County, SC

Estimated Rate: 4.2%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.