Columbia Population 2026
Columbia has a population of 142,416, making it the #196 biggest city in 🇺🇸 United States, located in South Carolina. It is about 62× smaller than New York City, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
142,416
Rank in United States
#196
Coordinates
34.00°N, 81.03°W
~89 m elevation · America/New_York
Distance to capital (Washington)
651 km
404 miles, straight line
Other big cities in South Carolina
| City | Population | Rank in United States |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 132,609 | #212 |
| North Charleston | 108,304 | #291 |
| Mount Pleasant | 81,317 | #446 |
| Rock Hill | 71,548 | #534 |
| Greenville | 64,579 | #616 |
| Summerville | 48,848 | #901 |
| Sumter | 40,816 | #1089 |
| Goose Creek | 40,633 | #1096 |
Cities near Columbia
- West Columbia16,060 people · ~4 km away
- Saint Andrews21,151 people · ~8 km away
- Seven Oaks15,144 people · ~12 km away
- Lexington20,138 people · ~19 km away
- Sumter40,816 people · ~65 km away
- Aiken30,604 people · ~80 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Columbia?
Columbia has a population of 142,416 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #196 biggest city in United States.
What state is Columbia in?
Columbia is located in South Carolina, United States.
Is Columbia the capital of United States?
No, the capital of United States is Washington D.C., about 651 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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