Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

West Columbia, SC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

17,723

Median Agei

37.2

Race & Ethnicityi

White

64.7%11,465

Black

16%2,832

Hispanic/Latino

11.6%2,058

Two or More

3.9%699

Asian

3.5%619

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%34

Other

0.1%16

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.8%480

High School Diploma

19.9%2,498

Some College (<1 yr)

4.9%614

Some College (1+ yr)

12.9%1,624

Associate's Degree

9.7%1,213

Bachelor's Degree

24.5%3,069

Master's Degree

9.6%1,205

Professional Degree

1.8%226

Doctorate

2.2%279

HS or Higher

89.3%

BA or Higher

38.1%

Graduate+

13.6%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$186,200

Median Renti

$1,092

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

56.7%4,688

Renter-Occupied

43.3%3,579

Total Units

8,818

Homeownership

56.7%

Vacancy Rate

6.2%

Home Values

Under $50K

5.4%253

$50K–$100K

9.8%461

$100K–$150K

17.2%804

$150K–$200K

25.2%1,182

$200K–$300K

28.9%1,355

$300K–$500K

9.2%432

$500K–$1M

3.5%165

$1M+

0.8%36

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

222

$750–$1,000

1,098

$1,000–$1,250

938

$1,250–$1,500

472

$1,500–$2,000

443

$2,000+

189

Year Built

2020 or later

0.7%61

2010–2019

10.3%911

2000–2009

10.1%891

1990–1999

11.7%1,034

1980–1989

8.4%741

1970–1979

14.5%1,277

1960–1969

16.4%1,448

1950–1959

18.5%1,628

1940–1949

6.2%544

1939 or earlier

3.2%283

Heating Fuel

Electricity

61.8%5,110

Utility Gas

36.1%2,986

Bottled/LP Gas

1.1%89

No Fuel

0.5%42

Wood

0.4%30

Fuel Oil

0.1%6

Solar

0%4

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$54,152

Mean Household Incomei

$74,844

Per Capita Incomei

$35,326

Poverty Ratei

13.8%

Unemploymenti

Labor Forcei

9,504

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

6.1%505

$10K–$15K

3.5%290

$15K–$20K

3%251

$20K–$25K

7%575

$25K–$30K

3.6%296

$30K–$35K

5.5%457

$35K–$40K

6.4%533

$40K–$45K

4.8%400

$45K–$50K

5%410

$50K–$60K

10.8%890

$60K–$75K

8.6%713

$75K–$100K

12%995

$100K–$125K

9.5%786

$125K–$150K

5.3%436

$150K–$200K

4%332

$200K+

4.8%398

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

100

Residentsi

150

Avg. Tenant Renti

$383/mo

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers90 homes81% occupied$383/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 89 homes

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $54,152/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

78%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

17%

Low income$27K–$43K/yr

Who Receives This Housing

82% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

88% of subsidized households are minority

29% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

40% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

1,6039%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

463

China

200

Guatemala

156

Germany

India

Korea

Canada

United Kingdom

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

8,969

Avg. Commutei

18.1 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

8,963

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

1,202(8.3% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

87.8%Insured

12.2%Uninsured

West Columbia, SC Population, Income & Demographics 2026