HomeSouth CarolinaRichland County
Richland County, South Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Richland County, South Carolina had an estimated 430,651 residents on July 1, 2024, up 3.5 percent since the 2020 census base of 416,146, across 757 square miles. County output reached $37.44 bn in 2024, 9,426 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 330 7(a) approvals worth $190.6 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Richland County
How many people live in Richland County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024422,117
- Households167,961
- Average household size2.51
- Median household income$63,784
- Median age34.4
- Median gross rent$1,228 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$242,800
- Home value to household income3.8 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income23.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher40.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree17.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over268,711
- Population under 1890,969
- Share under 1821.6 percent
- Population 65 and over59,468
- Share 65 and over14.1 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64271,680
- Civilian labor force212,808
- Unemployment rate6.4 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over64.3 percent
- Rank by population among South Carolina counties2nd of 46
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included175th of 3,222
Richland County is the 2nd largest of 46 South Carolina counties by population. A median home costs 3.8 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 21.6 percent against 14.1 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Richland County
Is Richland County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024430,651
- Census 2020 base population416,146
- Population change since the 2020 census base3.49 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20245,415
- Births, 20244,425
- Deaths, 20243,473
- Natural change, 2024952
- Net domestic migration, 20242,349
- Net international migration, 20242,110
- Total net migration, 20244,459
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 20245,948
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents779th of 3,144
The county has grown 3.49 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Richland County
Where are people moving to Richland County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving13,442
- People arriving, from those returns24,652
- Tax returns filed by households leaving13,505
- Net household movement-63
- Adjusted gross income arriving$764.1 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-91.8 m
- Average income of an arriving household$56,848
- Average income of a leaving household$63,381
- Largest single originLexington County (2,795 households)
- Largest single destinationLexington County (3,106 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington County | 2,795 | 4,969 | $144.4 m |
| Kershaw County | 438 | 817 | $21.7 m |
| Mecklenburg County | 369 | 632 | $21.1 m |
| Sumter County | 285 | 526 | $11.0 m |
| Charleston County | 250 | 383 | $16.7 m |
| Greenville County | 245 | 380 | $15.6 m |
| York County | 232 | 426 | $11.4 m |
| Orangeburg County | 199 | 355 | $6.6 m |
Households arriving report $6,533 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Lexington County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Richland County
What is the Richland County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$37.44 bn
- County GDP, 2023$34.74 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20247.8 percent
- GDP change over five years40.1 percent
- Rank by GDP among the South Carolina areas BEA publishes3rd of 46
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes159th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$88,691
Output grew 7.8 percent in the latest year and 40.1 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Richland County
Employment by industry in Richland County
- Covered employment, annual average227,771
- Establishments reporting12,736
- Average annual pay$62,784
- Average weekly wage$1,207
- Health care and social assistance, employment29,014
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$67,835
- Accommodation and food services, employment21,767
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$22,755
- Retail trade, employment21,036
- Retail trade, average annual pay$39,270
- Finance and insurance, employment20,630
- Finance and insurance, average annual pay$87,022
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment16,997
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment13,882
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 29,014 | 1,484 | $67,835 |
| Accommodation and food services | 21,767 | 1,024 | $22,755 |
| Retail trade | 21,036 | 1,416 | $39,270 |
| Finance and insurance | 20,630 | 850 | $87,022 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 16,997 | 935 | $42,910 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 13,882 | 2,136 | $103,264 |
| Manufacturing | 12,206 | 364 | $78,094 |
| Other services, except public administration | 6,894 | 986 | $47,003 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 29,014 jobs, 12.7 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Richland County
How many businesses are in Richland County?
- Establishments, all industries9,426
- Employment at those establishments169,733
- Annual payroll$8.94 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents22.3
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Richland County
Building permits in Richland County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20243,469
- Declared construction value permitted$624.5 m
- Single family units authorized2,154
- Multifamily units authorized1,315
- Multifamily share of units37.9 percent
- Average declared value per unit$180,036
- Units authorized per 1,000 households20.7
Single-family homes are 62.1 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Richland County
SBA loans in Richland County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded330
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$190.6 m
- Average 7(a) approval$577,624
- Median 7(a) approval$150,000
- 10th percentile approval$20,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,658,400
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)3,776
- Jobs per approval11.4
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active64
- Distinct industries receiving approvals136
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer13.0 percent
- Loans on real estate terms43
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter269
- Franchise loans75
- Franchise share of approvals22.7 percent
- Leading industry by approval countLimited-Service Restaurants (18)
- Most active lenderTD Bank, National Association (48)
- 504 approvals recorded51
- 504 gross approval dollars$42.6 m
- Average 504 approval$835,608
- Median 504 approval$428,000
- Distinct CDCs active5
- 504 jobs per approval12.1
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved14.5
- Most active CDCCertified Development Corporation of South Carolina (31)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$233.2 m
The average approval of $577,624 sits well above the median of $150,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 13.0 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Richland County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Richland County
Do SBA loans in Richland County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded56
- Paid in full49
- Charged off7
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans12.5 percent
- Status: Paid in full49
- Status: Exempt from disclosure203
- Status: Cancelled49
- Status: Charged off7
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed22
Of the 56 loans that have reached a final outcome, 12.5 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Richland County
SBA lending by place in Richland County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending9
- Columbia, approvals256
- Irmo, approvals26
- Blythewood, approvals22
- Elgin, approvals12
- Hopkins, approvals7
- Ridgeway, approvals2
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 256 | $166,489,800 |
| Irmo | 26 | $6,770,500 |
| Blythewood | 22 | $9,492,500 |
| Elgin | 12 | $3,287,300 |
| Hopkins | 7 | $2,624,300 |
| Ridgeway | 2 | $825,000 |
| Lugoff | 2 | $438,800 |
| Spartanburg | 2 | $255,000 |
| 1 other borrower city | 1 | $432,700 |
Columbia accounts for 256 approvals against 26 in Irmo. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Richland County
How large is Richland County?
- Land area757 sq mi
- Rank by land area among South Carolina counties13th of 46
- Width, east to west41.8 mi
- Height, north to south36.3 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land558
- Establishments per square mile12.45
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Richland County
Flood risk in Richland County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Richland County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 450170
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 8
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book8
- Of those, participating in the NFIP8
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 8
- Communities carrying a CRS class3
- Radon levels in Richland County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Richland County (community 450170), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 8, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Richland County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 8, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Richland County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Richland County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024422,117
- Households167,961
- Average household size2.51
- Median household income$63,784
- Median age34.4
Common questions
Richland County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Richland County, South Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 430,651 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 422,117, in 167,961 households, ranking 2nd of 46 South Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Richland County's population growing?
The population has grown 3.49 percent since the 2020 census base of 416,146, to 430,651 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 4,425 births against 3,473 deaths, with net migration of 4,459. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Richland County?
$63,784. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $242,800, which is 3.8 times income, and median gross rent is $1,228 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Richland County?
9,426 establishments, employing 169,733 people with an annual payroll of $8.94 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Richland County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 29,014 jobs, 12.7 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 227,771 jobs at an average annual pay of $62,784, or $1,207 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Richland County?
330 7(a) approvals totaling $190.6 m since FY2020, across 64 lenders, with a median approval of $150,000, plus 51 504 approvals worth $42.6 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Richland County get paid back?
Of the 56 loans that have reached a final outcome, 49 were paid in full and 7 charged off, a charge-off rate of 12.5 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Richland County?
3,469 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $624.5 m. Multifamily was 37.9 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Richland County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Richland County come from?
The largest single origin is Lexington County, with 2,795 households. Arriving households report an average income of $56,848 against $63,381 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Richland County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Richland County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Richland County
Cities and places in Richland.
16 Census places lie wholly or partly in Richland County. All 16 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | city | 139,643 | 256 | Wholly in this county |
| St. Andrews | CDP | 19,868 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Dentsville | CDP | 15,209 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Cayce | city | 13,741 | None recorded | 30.7 percent here, 69.3 percent Lexington County |
| Irmo | town | 11,813 | 26 | 72.5 percent here, 27.5 percent Lexington County |
| Forest Acres | city | 10,530 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Woodfield | CDP | 9,465 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lake Murray of Richland | CDP | 7,023 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Blythewood | town | 5,731 | 22 | 90.7 percent here, 9.3 percent Fairfield County |
| Capitol View | CDP | 4,374 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Arthurtown | CDP | 3,272 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hopkins | CDP | 1,985 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Gadsden | CDP | 1,443 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Olympia | CDP | 935 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Arcadia Lakes | town | 901 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Eastover | town | 485 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 18 of the county's 330 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Richland County, the largest being Elgin (12), Ridgeway (2), Lugoff (2). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.