West Columbia, SC

Originally known as Brookland because of the abundance of clear-water brooks in the area, West Columbia acquired its current name in 1936 when the city's charter was changed. The city is located in the eastern portion of Lexington County and is part of the Columbia metropolitan area.

Although the city is only two miles from the state capital of Columbia, West Columbia has its own police and fire protection, street cleaning and sanitation services, and planning and zoning commission. West Columbia's approximately 14,000 residents can take advantage of the ballet, theater, museums and art galleries available in Columbia, however, and the city is also served by the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. In addition, it is only a day's drive to larger cities such as Charlotte and Atlanta or to resort towns such as Myrtle Beach.

Moderate temperatures make West Columbia a pleasant place to live in or visit year-round, with an average high of 75 degrees in the summer and an average low of 52 degrees in the winter.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

West Columbia accommodates about 6,500 with an occupancy ratio of about 92 percent. About 3,200 are owner occupied, and 2,800 are renter occupied.

With a total area of 6.3 square miles, West Columbia is a fairly walkable city. Most of the restaurants, coffee shops and bars are located within a short distance of the center of the city.

West Columbia comprises several distinct districts:

• New Brookland Historic District existed as a community in the 1880s, but its population boomed after the opening of the Columbia Duck Mill by the Columbia Mills Company in 1894. This area was originally a planned residential community for employees of the mill, which was one of America's first hydroelectrically powered textile mills. The district is composed of approximately 20 early twentieth century commercial structures, the city's historical business core, and the "mill village," a 24 block residential area east of the old business district and overlooking the Congaree River.
• Triangle City District was the commercial center of West Columbia from the 1940s through the 1980s. The area's several small shopping centers and local businesses deteriorated, beginning in the late-1980s when residential development concentrated in the west and northwest of West Columbia. The city has undergone a streetscape project to revitalize the area.
• The Rivers District boasts a new amphitheater and walkway along the Congaree River. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens has an entrance located in West Columbia that takes visitors directly into the gardens.
• The Avenues District became the premier residential area when West Columbia grew from the river. Young families now live in these homes on streets designated by letters, such as D Avenue and C Avenue.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Leading industries in the city are educational, health and social services, retail trade and construction. The unemployment rate in West Columbia is 7.90 percent, slightly less than the U.S. average. Compared to the rest of the country, West Columbia's cost of living is 21.82% lower than the U.S. average.

West Columbia's largest employers include Lexington Medical Center and United Parcel Service.

FAMILY FUN

• Riverwalk Park: The park spans three miles along the base of the Congaree River. The walkways provide views of the Columbia skyline and space for walking, running, and bicycling.
• Finlay Park: Columbia's most visited park is only a few miles from West Columbia and has cascading waterfalls, two playgrounds and picnic tables. It is also a popular location for concerts and festivals.
• Adventure Carolina: Canoe and kayak trips down the Congaree, Broad, Saluda and Edisto Rivers can be arranged here. Customers can choose from a list of trips or customize one to meet their needs. Adventure Carolina also offers classes on topics including fly-fishing and outdoor cooking.

SPORTS TEAMS

• Baseball: The Capital City Bombers are a Class A team.
• Hockey: The Columbia Inferno is a professional team in the East Coast Hockey League.

The University of South Carolina Gamecocks play baseball, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball on the collegiate level. A day trip to Atlanta or Charlotte offers sports fans the chance to see professional baseball, basketball and football games.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• West Columbia Amphitheater: Concerts, plays and political rallies take place at this venue located along the Congaree River across from downtown.
• Koger Center for the Performing Arts: The venue is home to the Columbia City Ballet, which presents 80 performances each year. The center also offers Broadway shows and performances by the South Carolina Philharmonic.
• Columbia Museum of Art: The international art museum was founded in 1950. Its new, 128,000 square-foot facility was opened in 1998. The museum is distinctive in South Carolina for its dedication to touring and exhibiting international art.
• Capital City Cloggers: This clogging-only dance studio is run by husband-and-wife team Clay and Heather Barnhart. The studio opened in 2008 and provides coeducational clogging instruction for all ages.

FOR VISITORS

• Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens: The 170-acre zoo and garden is situated along the Lower Saluda River. The zoo has more than 2,000 animals, and the botanical gardens have 70 acres of woodlands, gardens, historic ruins and plant collections.
• Lexington County Museum: The history of Lexington County from 1770 to the Civil War is displayed at this complex. The museum showcases locally made artifacts and numerous historic structures, including the John Fox House.
• EdVenture Children's Museum: Children 12 and under and their families are the target audience for this nonprofit facility. The museum has hundreds of interactive exhibits across several indoor galleries and outdoor galleries on topics such as the human body, computer technology and nature.
• South Carolina State Museum: The multistory museum is housed in the former Columbia Mill building, the world's first fully electric textile mill. Exhibits educate visitors on South Carolina's art, the area's dinosaurs, South Carolina animal habitats and the Civil War.
• Governor's Mansion: South Carolina's governors have lived here since 1868. Public tours include the state dining room, private drawing rooms, library and gardens.

EDUCATION

• University of South Carolina: The university offers a wide range of degree programs through its various colleges and schools. The campus has an enrollment of 41,000 students.
• Allen University: This historically black university was founded in 1870 to provide education for freed slaves.
• Benedict College: The private coeducational liberal arts college has 2,500 students, giving it the largest undergraduate student body among independent colleges in South Carolina.
• Midlands Technical College: This two-year college offers career-oriented programs for an enrollment of 30,000 students annually.
• Lutheran Southern Seminary: A Christ-centered curriculum is available at the seminary, which offers three degree programs.
• Columbia International University: The campus of this small Christian university is situated along the Broad River.