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

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

Numeric Change 2000-2007:

37,057

Population 2000:

320,677

Avg. Ann. Growth Rate 1980-2000:

0.94%

Population Estimate 2006:

351,164

Avg. Ann. Growth Rate 2000-2007:

1.65%

Population Estimate 2007:

357,734

Percent Change 2006-2007:

1.84%

Persons Per Square Mile 2007:

473.2

Economic Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Jobs 1980:

161,003

Personal Income (PI) 2006:

$11,643,456

Jobs 1990:

205,940

Avg. Ann. Growth Rate (PI) 1969-2006:

7.8%

Jobs 2000:

240,579

Per Capita Personal Income 2006:

$33,157

Jobs 2005:

239,270

% of U.S. PCPI 2006:

90%

Jobs 2006:

239,960

Average Wage Per Job 2006:

$37,678

Numeric Change Jobs 2005-2006:

690

% of U.S. Avg. Wage Per Job 2006:

90%

Avg. Annual Growth Rate 1980-2000:

2.47%

Unemployment Rate 2007:

5.5%

Avg. Annual Growth Rate 2000-2006:

0.05%

Avg. Unemployment 1998-2007:

4.6%

Tax Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Assessed Property 2005:

$1,299,186,867

Per Capita Assessed Property 2005:

$4,051

County Base Millage Rate 2007:

0.1001

Additional Sales Tax (if applicable)

Value of One Mil 2007:

$1,230,000

Local Option Sales Tax:

1.0%

Millage Cap FY09:

4.7%

Capital Projects Sales Tax:

Net Taxable Sales FY06:

$5,869,859,369

School District Sales Tax:

Admissions Tax Collected FY06:

$2,865,856

Transportation Sales Tax:

Accommodations Tax Collected FY06:

$1,975,648

Financial & Employment Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Total Revenues FY06:

$200,441,696

Per Capita Revenues:

$625

Total Expenditures FY06:

$179,115,533

Per Capita Expenditures:

$559

General Fund Budget FY08:

$126,631,519

Per Capita General Fund Budget:

$395

Total Debt Outstanding FY07:

$122,706,788

Per Capita Debt Outstanding:

$355

Payroll FY 2008:

$98,159,789

Credit Rating(s) FY07

Full-Time Employees FY08:

1,834

Moody's:

Aa2

Part-Time Employees FY08

Standard & Poor:

Full Time Emp/1,000 Cnty Residents:

5.72

Fitch: