Market Highlights
Located within the Midlands region of South Carolina, Columbia is the state’s capital and largest MSA. Also referred to as Central South Carolina, the Columbia Combined Statistical Area is home to 1,103,952 people. The economy’s largest industries include Government, Healthcare, Retail, and Manufacturing. The State of South Carolina is by far the area’s largest employer, while Prisma Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Lexington Medical Center, and MUSC Health anchor the Healthcare industry. A 1 million+ SF Amazon Fulfillment Center and manufacturing firms like Nephron Pharmaceuticals, Kraft Heinz, Michelin, and Samsung round out the economy.
The University of South Carolina, with an enrollment of over 36,000 students, is the largest university in the state and boasts the #1 ranking for international business. Fort Jackson (Columbia) is the largest US Army installation for Basic Combat Training, and the U.S. Air Force has a significant presence with McEntire Joint National Guard Base (15 miles SE of Columbia) and Shaw Air Force Base (Sumter SC). Together, these 3 locations combine for over 33,000 active duty military, family members, and civilian employees. Sumter (MSA population – 134,925), Orangeburg (MSA Population – 83,094), and Newberry (MSA Population – 38,247) are also collectively part of the Columbia CSA.
The Columbia CSA is home to 313 multifamily properties, 53,253 units, and a development pipeline of 2,666 additional units.
