RICHLAND COUNTY 5/14/12
Date Formed:  1785 Richland,Richland
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: 11
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
Census Population 1990 285,720 3 Numeric Change Census 1990-2010 98,784 3
Census Population 2000 320,677 2 Numeric Change Pop. Est. 2010-2011 3,433 7
Census Population 2010 384,504 2 Percent Change Pop. Est. 2010-2011 0.9% 11
Population Estimate 2010 385,683 2 Persons Per Square Mile 508.6 2
Population Estimate 2011 389,116 2
Economic Data Value Rank Value Rank
Jobs 2010 228,031 3 Personal Income 2010, in thousands $13,601,563 3
Jobs 2009 230,038 2 Per Capita Personal Income  2010 $35,266 5
Jobs 2008 228,031 3 % of U.S. Per Capita PI 2010 88% 5
Avg. Ann. Growth Rate Jobs 1990-2010 0.5% 13 Average Wage Per Job 2010 $42,710 4
Percent Change Jobs 2009-2010 -0.9% 21 % of U.S. Avg. Wage Per Job 2010 91% 4
Numeric Change Jobs 2009-2010 -2,007 45 Unemployment Rate 2011 10.1% 31
Tax Data Value Value
Assessed Property 2010 $1,519,166,268 Per Capita Assessed Property 2010 $3,951
County Base Millage Rate 2011 0.1053 Additional Sales Tax, if applicable
Value of One Mil 2011 $1,418,000 Local Option Sales Tax 1.0%
Net Taxable Sales FY10 $4,963,576,996 Capital Projects Sales Tax  
Admissions Tax Collected FY10 $3,283,397 School District Sales Tax  
Accommodations Tax Collected FY10 $2,261,256 Transportation Sales Tax  
County Finance & Employment Data Value
Total Revenues FY10 $234,209,711 Value
Total Expenditures FY10 $236,615,016 Per Capita Revenues FY10 $609
General Fund Budget FY12 $134,823,817 Per Capita Expenditures FY10 $615
Total Debt Outstanding FY11 $106,573,907 Per Capita Gen. Fund Budget FY12 $351
Payroll FY12 $97,218,373 Per Capita Debt Outstanding FY11 $288
Full-Time Employees FY12 1,872 Credit Rating(s) FY11
Part-Time Employees FY12 0 Moody's: Aa1
Full-Time Emp/1,000 Cnty Residents 4.87 Standard & Poor: AA+
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