Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina Overview

Columbia earns an overall grade of D with a composite score of 44.4 out of 100, ranking #809 of 20 cities in South Carolina. The city's strongest category is Affordability (79/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (9/100).

Income & Employment in Columbia

The median household income in Columbia is $52,943 according to Census ACS data. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. The city's population grew 1.8% recently, indicating strong demand.

Safety in Columbia

Columbia has a violent crime rate of 767.5 per 100,000 residents. This is above the national average, and safety is an important factor to consider. The property crime rate is 3501.8 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Columbia

Columbia has a cost of living index of 92.9 (where 100 equals the national average), which is well below the national average. The median home value is $243,500. Median monthly rent is $1,158. Overall, Columbia offers below-average costs relative to the rest of the country.

Health & Wellness in Columbia

The adult obesity rate in Columbia is 34.4% according to CDC PLACES data. The diabetes prevalence rate is 12.1%. Residents report an average of 19.2 poor mental health days per month. These health indicators are important for assessing overall quality of life in Columbia, South Carolina.

Education & Schools in Columbia

Columbia has 69 public schools serving 47,371 students. The high school graduation rate is 80.2%, a solid rate. The student-teacher ratio is 13.7:1, indicating smaller class sizes. The district spends $17,096 per student. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Columbia

Columbia has an annual average temperature of 64.8°F. Summers average 79.3°F. Winters average 52.2°F. The city receives approximately 48.5 inches of precipitation per year.

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