Columbia, South Carolina Income Statistics
Columbia Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
D
Columbia Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Columbia | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $55,931 | $69,383 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,664 | $52,934 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 3.3% | 5.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.7% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 9.8% | 8.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Columbia is about 19% lower than in South Carolina. Income has been growing slower in Columbia (3.3%/yr) than in South Carolina (5.0%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Columbia earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the South Carolina average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Columbia, South Carolina grew by 41.7% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $55,931 in 2024. That's an average of about 3.3% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Columbia
| Metric | Columbia | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.585 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $57,156 | $62,655 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $47,357 | $49,387 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 17.1% | 21.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Columbia, it is 0.585, higher than South Carolina's 0.547, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 21% more than women's income in Columbia, South Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 21% wage gap accumulates to roughly $342,965 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia, South Carolina has narrowed from about 19% to 17% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 21% in 2021, and was narrowest at 12% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,845 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Columbia | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 10.6% | 11.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 4,592 people are unemployed in Columbia, South Carolina.
The average commute time in Columbia is 15 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in South Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Columbia, South Carolina has fallen from 10.0% to 6.3% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 10.7% in 2013 and fell as low as 5.7% in 2020.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Columbia, South Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it about on par with South Carolina, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Columbia, South Carolina.
How Rich Is Columbia, South Carolina?
Columbia has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $55,931, about 19% lower than the South Carolina average of $69,383.
How fast is household income rising in Columbia, South Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Columbia, South Carolina rose 42%, from $39,480 to $55,931. Over the same years, income here lagged behind South Carolina as a whole: +42% against +59%.
What was the median household income in Columbia in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Columbia, South Carolina was $55,276, up 4% from $53,321 in 2022. The South Carolina median that year was $66,973.
What was the median household income in Columbia in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Columbia, South Carolina was $48,016. By 2024 it had risen 16% to $55,931.
How strong is the job market in Columbia, South Carolina?
Unemployment in Columbia, South Carolina is 6.3%, well above the South Carolina rate of 4.8%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in Columbia, South Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Columbia is 0.585. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Columbia, South Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Columbia, South Carolina has narrowed from about 19% to 17% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 21% in 2021, and was narrowest at 12% in 2014. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $1,845 since 2009.
Analyze any area in the US
Get local demographics for any address, aggregated by drive time or radius, on the interactive map.
Explore the map →