Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is the capital of the U.S. state of South Carolina and the second-most populous city in the state. With an estimated population of 147,035 in 2025, it is the principal city of the Columbia metropolitan area, the second-largest metropolitan area in South Carolina, with an estimated population of 879,918 in 2025. Columbia serves as the county seat of Richland County, while portions of the city extend into neighboring Lexington and Kershaw counties. The city's name derives from "Columbia", a historic poetic personification of the United States, and is commonly shortened to "Cola", inspiring the nickname "Soda City".

Located near the geographic center of South Carolina at the fall line, Columbia developed at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda rivers, which form the Congaree River. Established in 1786 as South Carolina's first planned capital city, it has served as the seat of state government for more than two centuries and is home to the South Carolina State House. During the American Civil War, much of the city was destroyed in the burning of Columbia in 1865 before being rebuilt during Reconstruction.

Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, the state's flagship public university, and Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army's largest basic combat training installation. State government, higher education, healthcare, military activities, insurance, and manufacturing form the foundation of the regional economy, while recent decades have seen significant investment in the Congaree Vista, Main Street, and the BullStreet District.

The city is a major cultural center for South Carolina, with institutions including the South Carolina State Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, and Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Columbia also serves as a regional center for collegiate athletics through the University of South Carolina and provides access to outdoor recreation along the Three Rivers Greenway, Congaree National Park, and Lake Murray.