Richland County

Richland County is an administrative division in central South Carolina that includes the state capital along with several smaller towns. The landscape shifts between urban streets, residential areas, and open spaces crossed by several highways.

The county formed shortly after the American Revolutionary War when the young capital needed administrative structures. During the Civil War, Union forces destroyed large parts of the region, shaping its later development.

The county takes its name from the rich farmland that drew early settlers, and today campus life blends with government buildings and residential streets around the capital. Students gather in coffee shops near the university, and on game days the area fills with tailgaters and fans heading to the stadium.

The region covers a broad area with different neighborhoods and smaller towns connected by a network of roads. Visitors should expect to cover longer distances by car, as public transit options remain limited.

A major military installation within the county trains thousands of recruits each year and shapes an important part of the local economy. Many of these soldiers complete their basic training here before being reassigned to other locations.

Location: South Carolina

Inception: March 12, 1785

Capital city: Columbia

Elevation above the sea: 112 m

Shares border with: Fairfield County, Kershaw County, Sumter County, Calhoun County, Lexington County, Newberry County

Website: https://richlandcountysc.gov

GPS coordinates: 34.02180,-80.90304

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:10