Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County
County
Skyline of Columbia
Richland County Justice Center
South Carolina State House
University of South Carolina
Gervais Street Bridge over the Congaree River
Congaree National Park
Sesquicentennial State Park
Flag of Richland County
Flag
Official seal of Richland County
Seal
Official logo of Richland County
Logo
Motto: 
"Uniquely Urban...Uniquely Rural"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Richland County
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°02′N 80°54′W / 34.03°N 80.90°W / 34.03; -80.90
Country United States
State South Carolina
FoundedMarch 12, 1785
Named forThe county's "rich land"[1]
SeatColumbia
Largest communityColumbia
Area
 • Total771.96 sq mi (1,999.4 km2)
 • Land757.28 sq mi (1,961.3 km2)
 • Water14.68 sq mi (38.0 km2)  1.90%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total416,147
 • Estimate 
(2023)
425,138 Increase
 • Density549.53/sq mi (212.17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 6th
Websitewww.richlandcountysc.gov

Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 416,147,[2] making it the second-most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville County. The county seat and largest community is Columbia,[3] the state capital. The county was established on March 12, 1785.[4] Richland County is part of the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 2020, the center of population of South Carolina was located in Richland County, in the city of Columbia.[5] The county is also the location of the geographic center of South Carolina, southeast of Columbia.[6]

  1. ^ "About Richland County". www.richlandcountysc.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020CensusQuickFacts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "South Carolina - Legislative Acts Creating Counties / Districts". South Carolina General Assembly. 1785. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "2020 Centers of Population by State". United States Census Bureau. November 16, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "Geographic Centers of the United States" (PDF). pubs.usgs.gov. September 3, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2023.