Metro area profile · South Carolina
Columbia, SC metro area market data
How the Columbia metro area compares with other metro areas for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 879,918
- +6.0% since 2020
- Households
- 339,601
- Median household income
- $68,359
- +22.1% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $232,400
- Jobs located here
- 410,492
- Highest market score
- 76
- Coffee shops and cafes, #22 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Columbia metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Columbia metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Columbia metro area has an estimated 879,918 people and 339,601 households. Population estimates show the Columbia metro area grew 6.0% from 2020 to 2025, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Columbia metro area is $68,359, 15% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 22.1%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Columbia metro area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 127, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (70).
Of the business types scored in the Columbia metro area, coffee shops and cafes (76), electricians (74) and bakeries and dessert shops (73) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For coffee shops and cafes, that ranks #22 of 387 scored metro areas.
The Columbia metro area takes in 6 counties: Richland County, Lexington County, Kershaw County, Fairfield County and 2 more. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for pest control companies (57% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for laundromats (37% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Columbia metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Columbia metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee shops and cafes | 76 | #22 of 387 | 248 | 7.3 | $5M | 134 | 114 |
| Electricians | 74 | #26 of 383 | 71 | 2.1 | $13.3M | 111 | 139 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 73 | #24 of 387 | 240 | 7.1 | $5.1M | 124 | 119 |
| Home inspectors | 72 | #23 of 243 | 13 | 0.4 | Index only | 146 | 15 |
| Roofing and gutters | 67 | #65 of 381 | 114 | 3.4 | $8.3M | 98 | 45 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 66 | #104 of 385 | 202 | 5.9 | $2.4M | 82 | 247 |
| Home repair trades | 65 | #77 of 387 | 424 | 12.5 | $2.2M | 92 | 430 |
| Laundromats | 65 | #86 of 364 | 34 | 1.0 | $18.2M | 145 | 21 |
| Pet businesses | 64 | #91 of 387 | 342 | 10.1 | $855K | 97 | 175 |
| Oil change and quick lube | 62 | #85 of 290 | 26 | 0.8 | $11.8M | 86 | 17 |
| Veterinarians | 62 | #106 of 384 | 113 | 3.3 | $2.6M | 95 | 80 |
| Pizza | 61 | #110 of 387 | 213 | 6.3 | $5.8M | 114 | 676 |
| Child care and preschools | 60 | #120 of 387 | 156 | 4.6 | $935K | 93 | 164 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 59 | #128 of 386 | 123 | 3.6 | $2.4M | 93 | 68 |
| Pet stores | 58 | #129 of 382 | 65 | 1.9 | $4.5M | 99 | 27 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 58 | #141 of 387 | 3,186 | 93.8 | $387K | 104 | 1,433 |
| Insurance agencies | 58 | #141 of 387 | 606 | 17.8 | $1.4M | 111 | 406 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 57 | #136 of 387 | 2,356 | 69.4 | $156K | 102 | 964 |
| Auto repair and car care | 57 | #146 of 387 | 1,167 | 34.4 | $262K | 98 | 459 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 56 | #137 of 386 | 118 | 3.5 | $3.1M | 99 | 42 |
| Grocery stores | 56 | #152 of 387 | 196 | 5.8 | $10.2M | 110 | 132 |
| Car washes and detailing | 56 | #161 of 387 | 146 | 4.3 | $2.1M | 83 | 37 |
| Chiropractors | 55 | #159 of 386 | 144 | 4.2 | $2.5M | 106 | 80 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 55 | #160 of 387 | 239 | 7.0 | $4M | 83 | 246 |
| Auto repair shops | 55 | #161 of 387 | 697 | 20.5 | $439K | 99 | 316 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 54 | #166 of 387 | 366 | 10.8 | $1.3M | 79 | 553 |
| Physical therapy | 54 | #166 of 386 | 164 | 4.8 | $2.2M | 93 | 99 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 53 | #173 of 387 | 213 | 6.3 | $1.7M | 97 | 404 |
| House cleaning | 49 | #195 of 375 | 88 | 2.6 | $5.5M | 86 | 240 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 49 | #197 of 387 | 1,786 | 52.6 | $690K | 104 | 629 |
| Property management | 49 | #202 of 374 | 114 | 3.4 | Index only | 79 | 140 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 48 | #213 of 387 | 622 | 18.3 | $3.2M | 95 | 256 |
| Gas stations | 46 | #226 of 387 | 517 | 15.2 | $1.9M | 80 | 401 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 46 | #230 of 387 | 534 | 15.7 | $1.2M | 91 | 272 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 45 | #240 of 387 | 727 | 21.4 | $851K | 97 | 339 |
| Barbershops | 45 | #252 of 387 | 238 | 7.0 | $1.2M | 65 | 13 |
| Funeral homes | 44 | #221 of 377 | 82 | 2.4 | $522K | 77 | 35 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 44 | #223 of 347 | 67 | 2.0 | $3.5M | 85 | 95 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 44 | #240 of 381 | 107 | 3.2 | $2.9M | 93 | 91 |
| Nail salons | 43 | #261 of 387 | 234 | 6.9 | $1.3M | 75 | 45 |
| Spas and skin care | 42 | #265 of 387 | 379 | 11.2 | $774K | 88 | 70 |
| Pest control | 41 | #238 of 345 | 76 | 2.2 | $6.4M | 62 | 66 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 41 | #257 of 387 | 556 | 16.4 | $2.2M | 73 | 676 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 41 | #280 of 387 | 153 | 4.5 | $1.5M | 75 | 73 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | 40 | #137 of 197 | 20 | 0.6 | $18.3M | 75 | 33 |
| Convenience stores | 40 | #259 of 387 | 335 | 9.9 | $6M | 76 | 124 |
| Real estate | 40 | #282 of 387 | 1,437 | 42.3 | Index only | 80 | 701 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 40 | #285 of 387 | 1,112 | 32.7 | Index only | 82 | 363 |
| Gyms | 40 | #286 of 387 | 265 | 7.8 | $878K | 67 | 95 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 39 | #297 of 387 | 485 | 14.3 | $480K | 72 | 168 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 38 | #321 of 387 | 1,875 | 55.2 | $156K | 74 | 305 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 37 | #302 of 373 | 198 | 5.8 | Index only | 65 | 61 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 37 | #303 of 387 | 415 | 12.2 | $883K | 90 | 306 |
| Hair salons | 37 | #323 of 387 | 984 | 29.0 | $298K | 69 | 167 |
| Tire shops | 36 | #285 of 386 | 171 | 5.0 | $1.8M | 72 | 68 |
| Dry cleaners | 31 | #230 of 272 | 53 | 1.6 | $11.7M | 74 | 46 |
Household spending in the Columbia metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $306.2M | $902 | 94 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $986.9M | $2,906 | 112 |
| Food away from home | $1.2B | $3,627 | 89 |
| Groceries | $2B | $5,883 | 93 |
| Personal care products and services | $293.4M | $864 | 86 |
| Child care and other personal services | $145.9M | $430 | 74 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $232.6M | $685 | 70 |
| Medical and dental services | $366.5M | $1,079 | 84 |
| Pets | $292.4M | $861 | 95 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $618.6M | $1,822 | 89 |
| Vehicle insurance | $842.6M | $2,481 | 127 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $944.4M | $2,781 | 92 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $485.4M | $1,429 | 101 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $5B | $14,697 | 88 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Columbia metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 879,918+6.0% since 2020
- Households
- 339,601
- Median age
- 39.2
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 69%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 3,703 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 229
- Median household income
- $68,359+22.1% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $92,243
- Median home value
- $232,400
- Jobs located here
- 410,492
- Daytime population
- 894,123Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Columbia metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Columbia metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Columbia metro area 6
- Richland County, SC422,117 people
- Lexington County, SC304,887 people
- Kershaw County, SC68,314 people
- Fairfield County, SC20,550 people
- Saluda County, SC19,131 people
- Calhoun County, SC14,182 people
Other markets based in South Carolina 12
- Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area961,939 people
- Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area834,267 people
- Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro area383,016 people
- Spartanburg, SC metro area374,737 people
- Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area227,455 people
- Florence, SC metro area199,675 people
- Sumter, SC metro area104,725 people
- Greenwood, SC area93,909 people
- Orangeburg, SC area83,253 people
- Seneca, SC area80,469 people
- Murrells Inlet, SC area64,811 people
- Gaffney, SC area56,647 people
Questions
How fast is the Columbia, SC metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Columbia metro area at 879,918 people in 2025, up 6.0% since 2020, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 339,601 households. Median household income rose 22.1% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Columbia, SC metro area spend?
Households in the Columbia metro area spend about $5B a year on rent and homeowner costs, $2B on groceries and $1.2B on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Columbia metro area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 127, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (70).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Columbia, SC metro area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Columbia metro area are for coffee shops and cafes (76), electricians (74) and bakeries and dessert shops (73). The Columbia metro area ranks #22 of 387 scored metro areas for coffee shops and cafes.
How does the Columbia, SC metro area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Columbia metro area is $68,359 a year, 15% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 6.0% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $232,400, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Columbia metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for pest control companies (57% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for laundromats (37% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. All 56 business types have a score in the Columbia metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Columbia metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in South Carolina · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Columbia metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Columbia metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.