Census ACS · #71 MSA
Columbia Metro Area
The Columbia, Sc Metropolitan Statistical Area has 839,868 residents. The median household income is $66,146 and the median home value is $213,400.
839,868
Population
227
People / sq mi
$66,146
Median Income
$213,400
Median Home Value
The Columbia CBSA covers 3,703 sq mi of land at 226.8 people per square mile.
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 55.4% |
| Black or African American | 33.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% |
Economy & Income
$66,146
Median Household Income
$37,159
Per Capita Income
10.8%
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Unemployment
Cost of Living
The Columbia metro's price level is 93.7 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 6.3% lower the US average. The local median income of $66,146 has the buying power of $70,622 in average-priced US metros.
93.7
Price Level (US = 100)
$70,622
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$66,146
Nominal Median Income
Housing
$213,400
Median Home Value
$1,145
Median Rent
69.2%
Homeownership
Education
91.1%
High School+
35.0%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.5%
Drive Alone
9.9%
Work From Home
25.1 min
Avg Commute
34.8%
Foreign Born
Columbia spans this state
Nearby metros
Largest cities in South Carolina
Largest counties in South Carolina
Part of South Carolina
Other metros
Metro areas in South Carolina
Metro rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
The Columbia, Sc Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of 839,868 according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates, making it the #71 largest CBSA in the US.
The median household income in the Columbia metro area is $66,146, with a per capita income of $37,159.
The Columbia, Sc CBSA spans the state of South Carolina.
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More from South Carolina
Data for the Columbia, Sc CBSA (17900) from the American Community Survey 5-Year estimates. Core-Based Statistical Areas combine cities, suburbs, and surrounding counties tied together by commuting patterns.
Educational attainment is the headline number in Columbia: 35.0% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Columbia is a metro area in SC with a population of 839,868.
Median household income is $66,146, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 10.8%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $213,400, with typical rent around $1,145.
About 35.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, near the 35.0% national figure.
The education numbers are the throughline: a college-heavy population in Columbia usually coincides with higher incomes and a workforce concentrated in professional and information industries.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.