Columbia, SC Demographics

A map of Columbia's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	63,825	67,238	45.7%	49.2%
Black	56,006	52,038	40.1%	38.1%
Hispanic	8,651	8,103	6.2%	5.9%
Multiracial	5,378	4,278	3.9%	3.1%
Asian	4,436	4,152	3.2%	3.0%
Native American/Other	1,347	823	1.0%	0.6%

Columbia, South Carolina has an estimated population of 139,643, a slight increase from the 136,632 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.7% White, 40.1% Black, 6.2% Hispanic, 3.9% Multiracial, 3.2% Asian, and 1.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Columbia, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Columbia has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than South Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Columbia, that probability was 60.7% in 2020 and 62.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbia is ranked the 2nd most populous place in South Carolina, out of 475 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Columbia was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Columbia's White Population

63,825 residents of Columbia, or 45.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbia is significantly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Columbia ranks 303rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's White population has declined by an estimated 5.1%. White residents' share of Columbia's population has decreased from 49.2% to 45.7%.

Columbia is more White than neighboring Woodfield (13.5% White), Dentsville (10.4% White), and Capitol View (33.6% White). Columbia is less White than neighboring Arcadia Lakes (83.2% White), and Forest Acres (78.8% White).

Columbia's Black Population

56,006 residents of Columbia, or 40.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbia is significantly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Columbia ranks 168th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Black population has grown by an estimated 7.6%. Black residents' share of Columbia's population has increased from 38.1% to 40.1%.

Columbia is more Black than neighboring Arcadia Lakes (6.3% Black), and Forest Acres (12.8% Black). Columbia is less Black than neighboring Woodfield (59.1% Black), Dentsville (74.1% Black), and Capitol View (52.8% Black).

Columbia's Asian Population

4,436 residents of Columbia, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Columbia ranks 28th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Asian population has grown by an estimated 6.8%. Asian residents' share of Columbia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.2%.

Columbia is more Asian than neighboring Dentsville (2.7% Asian), Forest Acres (1.8% Asian), and Capitol View (0% Asian). Columbia is less Asian than neighboring Woodfield (3.8% Asian), and Arcadia Lakes (4.7% Asian).

Columbia's Hispanic Population

8,651 residents of Columbia, or 6.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Columbia ranks 151st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 6.2%.

Columbia is more Hispanic than neighboring Arcadia Lakes (5.4% Hispanic), and Forest Acres (1.7% Hispanic). Columbia is less Hispanic than neighboring Woodfield (20.5% Hispanic), Dentsville (7.9% Hispanic), and Capitol View (10.1% Hispanic).

Columbia's Native American/Other Population

1,347 residents of Columbia, or 1.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbia ranks 265th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 63.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbia's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.0%.

Columbia is more Native American/Other than neighboring Woodfield (0.2% Native American/Other), Arcadia Lakes (0% Native American/Other), Dentsville (0.2% Native American/Other), Forest Acres (0.1% Native American/Other), and Capitol View (0% Native American/Other).

Columbia's Multiracial Population

5,378 residents of Columbia, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbia is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Columbia ranks 283rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 25.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbia's population has increased from 3.1% to 3.9%.

Columbia is more Multiracial than neighboring Woodfield (2.9% Multiracial), Arcadia Lakes (0.3% Multiracial), and Capitol View (3.5% Multiracial). Columbia is less Multiracial than neighboring Dentsville (4.7% Multiracial), and Forest Acres (4.8% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.