Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County
Richland County
U.S. county
	County of Richland
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Country	United States ;
Seat	Columbia
Area
• Total	772 sq mi (2,000 km2)
• Land	757 sq mi (1,960 km2)
• Water	15 sq mi (40 km2)
Population (2020)
• Total	416,147
• Density	540/sq mi (210/km2)
Website	richlandcountysc.gov

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[[Category:{{{state}}} counties]]

Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 416,147, making it the second-most populous county in South Carolina. The county seat and largest city is Columbia, which is also the state capital.

History[edit | edit source]

Richland County was established in 1785 as part of the Ninety-Six District. The county was named for its "rich land." The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Congaree.

Geography[edit | edit source]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 772 square miles (2,000 km²), of which 757 square miles (1,960 km²) is land and 15 square miles (39 km²) (1.9%) is water. The Congaree River and Wateree River are significant water bodies in the county.

Demographics[edit | edit source]

As of the 2020 census, there were 416,147 people, 153,483 households, and 95,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 550 people per square mile (210/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 47.3% White, 45.9% Black or African American, 2.1% Asian, and 4.7% from other races.

Government and Politics[edit | edit source]

Richland County is governed by a county council consisting of 11 members. The county is part of South Carolina's 2nd congressional district and South Carolina's 6th congressional district.

Economy[edit | edit source]

The economy of Richland County is diverse, with significant contributions from education, healthcare, government, and military sectors. The presence of the University of South Carolina and Fort Jackson are major economic drivers.

Education[edit | edit source]

Richland County is home to several institutions of higher learning, including the University of South Carolina, Columbia College, and Midlands Technical College.

Transportation[edit | edit source]

The county is served by several major highways, including Interstate 20, Interstate 26, and Interstate 77. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport provides air service to the region.