Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County is a located in the  of. The recorded its population to be 320,677. In, the estimated that its population had reached 348,226. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only. The is, the state capital. It is also the of South Carolina.

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). The county seat is, which is also the state capital. 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. Cotton from the surrounding plantations was shipped through Columbia and later manufactured into textiles there. General William T. Sherman captured Columbia during the Civil War, and his troops burned the town and parts of the county on February 17, 1865. The U. S. Army returned on more friendly terms in 1917, when Fort Jackson was established, which is now the largest and most active Initial Entry Training Center in the U.S. Army.

Governance
Richland County is governed by an eleven-member, who hold concurrent four year terms. Richland county is governed under the Council-Administrator form of government, which is very similar to the form of government. The major difference between the Council Manager and Council Administrator forms of government is the title of the chief executive, being manager in one in administrator in the other.

Geography
According to the, the county has a total area of 1,999 (772 ). 1,959 km² (756 sq mi) of it is land and 40 km² (15 sq mi) of it (1.98%) is water. Richland County is situated in the center of South Carolina.

Municipalities
Richland County contains five (5) municipalities including the City of and the City of, the towns of , , and.

There are three common school districts, Richland District One, Richland District Two, and Richland-Lexington District Five serving the county.

Adjacent Counties

 * - north
 * - northeast
 * - east
 * - south
 * - west
 * - Northwest

Demographics
As of the of 2000, there were 320,677 people, 120,101 households, and 76,384 families residing in the county. The was 164/km² (424/sq mi). There were 129,793 housing units at an average density of 66/km² (172/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 50.29%, 45.16% or , 0.24% , 1.72% , 0.08% , 1.16% from , and 1.35% from two or more races. 2.72% of the population were or  of any race.

There were 120,101 households out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.70% were living together, 16.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.40% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 13.80% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,961, and the median income for a family was $49,466. Males had a median income of $34,346 versus $25,909 for females. The for the county was $20,794. About 10.10% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the, including 17.50% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

 * Richland County Public Library
 * Richland County Public Library
 * Richland County Public Library
 * Richland County Public Library
 * Richland County Public Library
 * Richland County Public Library
 * Richland County Public Library
 * Richland County Public Library

Cities and Towns

 * (pop. 833)
 * (pop. 170)
 * (pop. 122,819)
 * (pop. 830)
 * (pop. 10,908)
 * (pop. 11,039)
 * (pop. 11,039)

Unincorporated Communities

 * (Pop. 13,009)
 * (Pop. 13,009)
 * (Pop. 13,009)


 * (Pop. 21,814)
 * (Pop. 9,238)
 * (Pop. 21,814)
 * (Pop. 9,238)
 * (Pop. 21,814)
 * (Pop. 9,238)
 * (Pop. 9,238)
 * (Pop. 9,238)
 * (Pop. 9,238)
 * (Pop. 9,238)
 * (Pop. 9,238)

Regions

 * Dutch Fork
 * Lower Richland
 * Northeast Richland
 * Fort Jackson