Midlands of South Carolina explained

The Midlands region of South Carolina is the middle area of the state. The region's main center is Columbia, the state's capital. The Midlands is so named because it is halfway point between the Upstate and the Lowcountry. The main area code is 803.

The area has become a major business center in the state, for its growing production of paper products, textile, medical supplies and steel. It is also a center for farming and medical care. The area is also involved in attractions and tourism, featuring shopping, fishing and amusement.

As of the 2020 census the Midlands population was 1,019,439.

Counties

The Midlands area of South Carolina includes at least these eight counties:

Other counties usually included

This region is largely coextensive with the Columbia metropolitan area (which includes Newberry and Orangeburg counties) but .

The middle portion of Orangeburg County is located in the Midlands, while the western part is located in the Central Savannah River Area and the eastern part is considered to be located in the Lowcountry. Other than being designated to the Augusta, GA market, Aiken County is also frequently listed as part of the Central Savannah River Area.

Cities

Primary cities

(including county and 2020 census count)

Columbia, Richland and Lexington 136,632^[1]
Sumter, Sumter County 42,976^[2]
Lexington, Lexington County, 23,568^[3]
Orangeburg, Orangeburg County 12,704^[4]

Suburban towns and cities over 10,000 in population

(including county and 2020 census bureau population estimates)

West Columbia Lexington, 17,416
Cayce, Lexington, 13,789^[5]
Irmo, Richland and Lexington, 11,569
Newberry, Newberry, 10,691
Forest Acres Richland, 10,606^[6]

Suburbs with less than 10,000 inhabitants

(including county and 2020 census bureau population data)

Arcadia Lakes, Richland, 865
Batesburg-Leesville, Lexington, 5,270
Blythewood, Richland, 4,772
Camden, Kershaw, 7,788
Chapin, Lexington, 1,809
Eastover, Richland, 614
Elgin, Kershaw, 1,634
Gaston, Lexington, 1,608
Gilbert, Lexington, 571
Little Mountain, Newberry, 249

North, Orangeburg, 696
Pelion, Lexington, 631
Pine Ridge, Lexington, 2,167
Prosperity, Newberry, 1,178
Ridgeway, Fairfield, 266
Saluda, Saluda, 3,122
Silverstreet, Newberry, 164
St. Matthews, Calhoun, 1,841
Springdale, Lexington, 2,744
Swansea, Lexington, 722
South Congaree, Lexington, 2,377
Winnsboro, Fairfield, 3,215

Unincorporated communities

(2020 Census Figures)

Dentsville, Richland, 14,431
Hopkins, Richland, 13,025 (2010 data)
Lugoff, Kershaw, 9,990
Red Bank, Lexington, 10,924
Seven Oaks, Lexington, 14,652
St. Andrews, Richland, 20,675
Woodfield, Richland, 9,199

Higher education

Allen University- Columbia
Benedict College- Columbia
Central Carolina Technical College- Sumter
Claflin University- Orangeburg
Columbia College- Columbia
Columbia International University- Columbia

Midlands Technical College- Columbia
Newberry College- Newberry
Morris College- Sumter
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College- Orangeburg
South Carolina State University- Orangeburg
University of South Carolina- Columbia
University of South Carolina Sumter- Sumter
Webster University

Media

The region is served by four commercial television stations, WLTX CBS 19, WOLO ABC 25, WACH FOX 57, and WIS 10.

The state's second largest newspaper, The State, is published here.

Major highways

Notes and References

Web site: Columbia city, South Carolina. Census Bureau. Census Bureau. October 1, 2016.
Web site: Sumter City, SC . Censusbureau.gov . U.S. Government . 2 July 2022.
Web site: QuickFacts Lexington town, South Carolina . www.census.gov . U.S. Government . 30 May 2022.
Web site: Orangeburg City Quick Fact . census.gov . U.S. Government . 2 July 2022.
Web site: Cayce City Quick Facts . census.gov . U.S. Government . 2 July 2022.
Web site: Forest Acres City Quickfacts . census.gov . U.S. Government . 2 July 2022.