2/2/2010

Date Formed:

1785

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:

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

Population 1980:

269,735

Numeric Change 1980-2000:

50,942

Population 1990:

285,720

Numeric Change 2000-2008:

43,324

Population 2000:

320,677

Avg. Ann. Growth Rate 1980-2000:

0.94%

Population Estimate 2007:

358,020

Avg. Ann. Growth Rate 2000-2008:

1.69%

Population Estimate 2008:

364,001

Percent Change 2006-2008:

1.64%

Persons Per Square Mile 2008:

481.5

Economic Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Jobs 1980:

161,003

Personal Income (PI) 2007:

$12,327,931

Jobs 1990:

205,940

Avg. Ann. Growth Rate (PI) 1969-2007:

7.7%

Jobs 2000:

240,579

Per Capita Personal Income 2007:

$34,434

Jobs 2006:

239,960

% of U.S. PCPI 2007:

89%

Jobs 2007:

244,897

Average Wage Per Job 2007:

$38,569

Numeric Change Jobs 2006-2007:

4,937

% of U.S. Avg. Wage Per Job 2007:

88%

Avg Ann Growth Rate Jobs 1980-2000

2.47%

Unemployment Rate 2007:

6.1%

Avg Ann Growth Rate Jobs 2000-2007

0.26%

Avg. Unemployment 1998-2007:

4.3%

Tax Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Assessed Property 2007:

$1,382,507,017

Per Capita Assessed Property 2007:

$4,311

County Base Millage Rate 2009:

0.1018

Additional Sales Tax (if applicable)

Value of One Mil 2009:

$1,418,000

Local Option Sales Tax:

1.0%

Millage Cap FY10:

5.5%

Capital Projects Sales Tax:

Net Taxable Sales FY07:

$5,867,021,279

School District Sales Tax:

Admissions Tax Collected FY07:

$3,556,634

Transportation Sales Tax:

Accommodations Tax Collected FY07

$2,121,719

Financial & Employment Data

Value

Rank

Value

Rank

Total Revenues FY08:

$230,112,010

Per Capita Revenues FY08:

$718

Total Expenditures FY08:

$217,696,345

Per Capita Expenditures FY08:

$679

General Fund Budget FY10:

$133,795,000

Per Capita General Fund Budget FY10:

$417

Total Debt Outstanding FY08:

$116,731,637

Per Capita Debt Outstanding FY08:

$335

Payroll FY 2008:

$62,363,831

Credit Rating(s) FY08

Full-Time Employees FY10:

2,047

Moody's:

Aa2

Part-Time Employees FY10:

Standard & Poor:

Full Time Emp/1,000 Cnty Residents:

6.38

Fitch:

updated

2/2/2010