Population: 116,278
Elevation: 314 feet
Land area: 125.2 square miles
Location: 3 miles from the exact geographical center of the state;
halfway between Greenville to the northwest and Charleston to the
southeast.
Nearest cities:
Forest Acres, SC
(3.3 miles),
Arcadia Lakes, SC
(3.9 miles), West
Columbia, SC (5.1 miles),
Cayce, SC (5.3
miles),
Dentsville, SC (5.6
miles),
Woodfield, SC (6.0
miles),
St. Andrews, SC
(6.3 miles),
Springdale, SC (7.8
miles).
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time. Daylight saving time is observed
in summer.
Getting There
By Car
I-20 reaches Columbia from the northeast (connecting with I-95 running
north and south) and southwest, I-26 from the southeast from Charleston
(crossing I-95) and northwest, and I-77 from the north.
By Plane
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport (803/822-5000) is served by
Continental Airlines (800/525-0280), Delta (800/221-1212), and US Airways
(800/428-4322).
By Train
For Amtrak service, call 800/USA-RAIL
Getting Around:
Three interstate highways (I-20, I-26, I-77) crisscross the region, with two
other major interstates (I-85 and I-95) within an hour’s drive. In addition, the
Columbia Metropolitan Airport offers service from major airlines and motor
freight carriers. Amtrak and Greyhound Bus Lines provide additional
transportation.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport: (803) 822-5000
Columbia City Bus: (803) 217-9019
Greyhound: (800) 231-2222
Amtrak: 800) 872-7245
Local Seasons:
Each season in Columbia brings with it new opportunities to experience a city
known for its Southern hospitality. Columbia’s year round mild climate is one
of the major contributing factors for people visiting year after year. In the
summer, temperatures seldom rise above a comfortable level, with the average
near 80. Even though the weather is moderate throughout the year, it is varied
enough to make each season interesting. Due to the Gulf Stream breezes, a walk
through downtown can easily be enjoyed during what is traditionally winter.
Snowfall is rare but can bring a pleasant feel to a cool winter’s day. The
beach is always a viable option and should be enjoyed for its beauty and
tranquility. Whether it’s a summer, winter, fall, or summer visit to Columbia,
this city of the south is ready and waiting with a warm smile and a Gulf breeze.
Weather
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average temp. (°F)
47.0
51.0
58.5
66.0
73.6
79.9
83.4
81.9
76.7
66.0
57.1
49.4
High temperature (°F)
57.8
62.8
70.9
79.1
86.0
91.7
94.9
93.0
88.0
78.4
69.0
60.4
Low temperature (°F)
36.2
39.2
46.2
52.8
61.2
68.1
71.8
70.8
65.5
53.6
45.1
38.4
Precipitation (in)
4.6
3.7
4.6
3.0
3.2
5.1
5.2
4.6
3.8
2.9
3.1
3.4
Climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Days with precip.
10
9
10
8
8
10
12
11
8
6
7
9
Wind speed (mph)
7.2
7.7
8.2
8.2
7.0
6.6
6.3
5.8
6.0
6.1
6.3
6.7
Morning humidity (%)
83
82
84
84
85
86
88
91
92
91
89
84
Afternoon humidity (%)
54
49
48
44
48
51
53
56
55
51
51
53
Sunshine (%)
55
59
64
70
68
67
67
66
65
67
63
59
Days clear of clouds
9
9
9
11
9
8
7
8
10
13
12
10
Partly cloudy days
6
6
8
8
10
11
13
12
9
7
6
6
Cloudy days
16
13
14
11
11
11
12
11
12
11
12
15
Snowfall (in)
0.5
0.8
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
National Holidays:
New Year's Day: Jan. 1
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day: 3rd Mon. in Jan.
President's Day: 3rd Mon. in Feb.
Memorial Day: last Mon. in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: 1st Mon. in Sept.
Thanksgiving Day: 4th Thurs. in Nov.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Dec. 24 and 25
New Year's Eve: Dec. 31
Columbia
