Midlands of South Carolina



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:


 * Calhoun
 * Fairfield
 * Kershaw
 * Lexington
 * Orangeburg
 * Richland
 * Saluda
 * Sumter

Other counties usually included

 * Lee
 * Clarendon
 * Newberry
 * Aiken

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.

Primary cities
(including county and 2020 census count)
 * Columbia, Richland and Lexington 136,632
 * Sumter, Sumter County 42,976
 * Lexington, Lexington County, 23,568
 * Orangeburg, Orangeburg County 12,704

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
 * Irmo, Richland and Lexington, 11,569
 * Newberry, Newberry, 10,691
 * Forest Acres Richland, 10,606

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

 * Interstate 20
 * Interstate 77
 * Interstate 95
 * Interstate 26
 * Interstate 126
 * US 321
 * US 21
 * US Route 1
 * US 76
 * US 176
 * US 178
 * US 378
 * US 15
 * US 301
 * US 601
 * US 521
 * SC 277
 * SC 12
 * SC 34
 * SC 261