Columbia, South Carolina
City of Columbia
Skyline of Columbia
Flag
Nickname(s): "The Capital of Southern Hospitality"
(official), "The Metro"
Location in Richland County in the state of South Carolina
Coordinates: 34°00′2″N 81°02′39″W / 34.00056°N
81.04417°W / 34.00056; -81.04417
Country
United States
State
South Carolina
Counties
Richland County and Lexington
County
Government
- Mayor
Bob Coble, (D)
Area
- City
133.8 sq mi (346.5 km2)
- Land
131.3 sq mi (340.1 km2)
- Water
2.5 sq mi (6.4 km2)
Elevation
292 ft (89 m)
Population (2007)
- City
124,818
- Density
928.5/sq mi (358.5/km2)
- Urban
451,792
- Metro
753,663
Time zone
EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code
29201, 29203, 29204, 29205,
29206, 29209, 29210, 29212,
29223, 29229
Area code(s)
803
FIPS code
45-16000[1]
GNIS feature ID
1245051[2]
Website
www.columbiasc.net
Columbia is the state capital and largest city
in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The popu-
lation was 116,278 according to the 2000
census (2007 population estimates put the
city at 124,818). Columbia is the county seat
of Richland County, but a portion of the city
extends into Lexington County. The city is
the center of a steadily growing metro area
of 728,063. The city’s name comes from a po-
etic synonym for America, derived from the
name of Christopher Columbus.
Located just 13 miles (21 km) northwest of
South
Carolina’s
geographic
center,
Columbia is the primary city of the Midlands
region of South Carolina, which comprises
several counties in the central portion of the
state. As such it is centrally located to the
rest of the state. Founded in 1786 as the site
of South Carolina’s new capital city, it was
one of the first planned cities in the United
States. The area is often cited for its high
quality of life offerings, with its many cultural
amenities, parks, and recreational features.
At the confluence of two major rivers,
Columbia is one of the best destinations in
the country for kayak and canoe enthusiasts.
It is also known for its large number of inde-
pendent theater grou