Date Formed:

1785

Land Area (square miles):

756

County Seat:

Columbia

Other Cities and Towns:

Arcadia Lakes, Blythewood, Eastover, Forest Acres, Irmo

Form of Government:

Council-Administrator

Council Members:

Method of Election

Single Member

Term Length

4 years

Council of Government:

Central Midlands

County History According to the South Carolina State Library Reference Room

Richland County was probably named for its "rich land." The county was formed in 1785 as part of the large Camden District. A small part of Richland later went to Kershaw County (1791). In 1786 the state legislature decided to move the capital from Charleston to a more central location. A site was chosen in Richland County, which is in the geographic center of the state, and a new town was laid out. Columbia subsequently became not only the center of government but an important trade and manufacturing center. Cotton from the surrounding plantations was shipped through Columbia and later manufactured into textiles there. Columbia is also known for its educational institutions, particularly the University of South Carolina, which was founded in 1802. General William T. Sherman captured Columbia during the Civil War, and his troops burned the town on February 17, 1865. The U.S. Army returned on more friendly terms in 1917, when Fort Jackson was established. Confederate general, South Carolina Governor, and U.S. Senator Wade Hampton (1818-1902) was a resident of Richland County, and President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) lived in Columbia as a boy.

Population Trends

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Population 1980:

269,735

Numeric Change 1980-2000:

50,942

Population 1990:

285,720

Avg. Ann. Growth Rate 1980-2000:

0.94%

Population 2000:

320,677

Percent Change 2005-2006:

1.8%

Population Estimate 2005:

341,813

Persons Per Square Mile 2006:

460.6

Population Estimate 2006:

348,226

Link to SC Office of Research and Statistics - Community Profile Demographic Data

Link to SC Office of Research and Statistics - Kids Count

Economic Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Jobs 1980:

161,003

Personal Income 2005:

$10,773,410

Jobs 1990:

205,940

Per Capita Pers. Income (PCPI) 2005:

$20,643

Jobs 2000:

240,579

% of U.S. PCPI 2005:

91%

Avg. Annual Growth Rate 1980-2000:

2.47%

Average Wage Per Job 2005:

$35,284

Jobs 2004:

236,409

% of U.S. Avg. Wage Per Job 2005:

88%

Jobs 2005:

239,270

Avg. Unemployment 1996-2006:

4.3%

Numeric Change 2004-2005:

2,861

Unemployment Rate 2006 Ann. Avg:

5.8%

Tax Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Assessed Property 2004:

$1,233,596,316

Per Capita Assessed Property 2004:

$3,847

County Base Millage Rate* 2006:

0.0983

Additional Sales Tax (if applicable)

Value of One Mil 2006:

$1,197,000

Local Option Sales Tax:

Net Taxable Sales FY 2005:

$5,869,859,369

Capital Projects Sales Tax:

Admissions Taxes Collected FY 2005:

$2,865,856

School District Sales Tax:

Accomodations Taxes Collected FY 2005:

$1,975,648

Transportation Sales Tax:

* County Base Millage Rate reflects county mils only and does not include millages charged by other taxing entities (cities, schools, etc.)

Link to SC Employment Security Commission - Top Employers by County

Link to SC Office of Research and Statistics - Community Profile Demographic Data

Financial and Employment Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Total Revenues FY 2004:

$171,832,514

Per Capital Revenues:

$536

Total Expenditures FY 2004:

$131,543,275

Per Capita Expenditures:

$410

General Fund Budget FY 2007:

$118,908,203

Per Capita General Fund Budget:

$371

Total Debt Outstanding FY 2006:

$84,895,956

Per Capita Debt Outstanding:

$250

Credit Ratings(s) FY 2006:

Payroll FY 2007:

$90,296,203

Moodys:

Aa2

Full-Time Employees FY 2007:

1782

Standard & Poor:

Part-Time Employees FY 2007:

Fitch:

Full Time Emp/1,000 Cnty Residents:

5.56

Link to SC Office of Research and Statistics - Local Government Finance Report (Full document in Excel)

Sources: County histories obtained from the South Carolina State Library Reference Room at http://www.state.sc.us/scsl/cnties.html. All other sources are listed in the appendix tables.

Updated

9/19/2007 15:37

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