Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Columbia, South Carolina
State South Carolina
City Columbia*
County1 Richland*
City Population (2005)2 88,450 2.1% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 67 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Small
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Columbia
State Population (2005)2 4,113,961
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Bob Coble
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.columbiasc.net/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) mayorbob@columbiasc.net
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election (Not Available)
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Mark Sanford
State/Governor Website http://www.sc.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 803-734-2100
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.31    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 17.5%    
     Disability Status 20.5% 60  
     Emphysema 1.11% 20  
     Cardiovascular Disease 22.99% 20  
     Diabetes 4.83% 22  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.80% 71  
     Adult Asthma 8.45% 40  
     Adult Obesity 21.7%   34
     People Without Health Insurance 16.3%   35
     Age: Children under 5 years 5.6% 6  
     Age: 65 years and over 10.3% 30  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 29.0% 49  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 17.7% 34  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 55.7% 15  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 8.2% 37  
     Individuals Below Poverty 22.1% 57  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 29.7% 51  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 57.8% 36  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 8.2% 14  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 38.0 (of 51) 53  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 83,049,881 pounds   37
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 114,684,431 pounds 39
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 14,064,395 pounds 38
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 698,101,969 pounds 37
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 741,280,397 pounds 38
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 104.0 grams 41
Number of Superfund Sites in County 2 sites 37  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.588 tons per person 49
Recycling Rate (1997) 34.0% 12
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 4,496,509 tons 25
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.1 tons/person 12
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 1,025,916 tons 23
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 22.8% 24
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 5.1% 16
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) -30.7% 2
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -32.9% 38
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.3***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 199,100 tons   31
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 82,900 tons   28
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 41,383,800 tons   26
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 1,160.0 pounds   22
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 9.0 days 43  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 0.3 PM2.5 8  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 12.8 PM2.5 36  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 8.0 days 40  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 0.3 PM2.5 10  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 13.6 PM2.5 42  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 2 ppm 5  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.02 ug/m3 10  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.003 ppm 1  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 35 ug/m3 47  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.004 ppm 27  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    1.7***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Congaree ---  
# of Units in Watershed 21 units 47  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 21 units 38  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 11 units 22  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 52.4% 22  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 0.0% 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 49.91 inches 10  
Water Area Total, square miles 1,078 square miles 44  
Water Area Inland, square miles 1,006 square miles 36  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 72 square miles 32  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Columbia ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 51 years 41  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 110 days 33  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Columbia ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 51 years 42  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 1.7 inches 47  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 6,200,000,000 gallons/day 46  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,690,000,000 gallons/day 17  
Ground water, gallons/day 322,000,000 gallons/day 57  
Surface water, gallons/day 5,880,000,000 gallons/day 41  
Irrigation, gallons/day 53,000,000 gallons/day 53  
Public Supply, gallons/day 614,000,000 gallons/day 43  
Industrial, gallons/day 703,000,000 gallons/day 24  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 4,810,000,000 gallons/day 34  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 321,000,000 gallons/day 53  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier City of Columbia Water ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 223,660 people 58  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 7 contaminants 7  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 26  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 1 contaminant 6  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 1 contaminant 6  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 2 contaminants 7  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 5 contaminants 17  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 39  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 1 contaminant 5  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 7 contaminants 7  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 26  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 116 contaminants 32  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 94 contaminants 40  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 22 contaminants 25  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 1 violation 35  
Health Violations 1 violation 54  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    2.9***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 928.6 people per square mile 69  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 368.5 housing units per square mile 71  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 18.1 minutes 9  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 18.1 minutes 13  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 11.3% 56  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 4.2% 36  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 13.8% 3  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.7% 37  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 90.4 2  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 76.9 MV registrations   13
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 58.4%   39
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 46.5 MV registrations   24
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.08 MV registrations   11
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 66,230 miles   22
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.500%   38
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 16.1%   32
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   26
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 20.95 miles   26
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $1,191,000,000   22
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $17,983 per mile   19
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 78.3%   42
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $31,141 63  
Median Household Income (2000) $31,141 61  
Per capita income (2004) $18,853 58  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $18,853 52  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 17.0% 52  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 22.1% 57  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 22.1% 57  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 3.2% 22  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 29.7% 51  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 3,771 people 6  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.2% 30  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 8.2% 37  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 5.7% 57  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 10.0% 61  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -10.2% 9  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -22.0% 7  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) No Minimum Wage Law ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EDUCATION
 
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 16,892 kids (0.4% of total pop.) 65  
Largest School District Enrollment 27,061 kids (0.7% of total pop.) 57  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 57.8% 36  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 44.3% 55  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 82.3% 38  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 35.7% 17  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 29% 49  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade D   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 42,245 units 65  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 54.4% 14  
Cost of Living: Housing 64.0 22  
Cost of Living: Utilities 94.4 23  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 96.1 10  
Cost of Living: Overall 84.4 16  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 52.99%   46
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 45.70%   20
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 62.00%   25
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 28.2%   33
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 9,081.8 incidents per 100,000 people 61  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,277.0 incidents per 100,000 people 56  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 7,804.8 incidents per 100,000 people 62  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 8,037.2 incidents per 100,000 people 54  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    1.0***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 57.6% 2  
Total City Urbanized Area % 22.8% 1  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.80% 71
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.45% 40
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.09% 35
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.11% 20
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 22.99% 20
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.83% 22  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 21.7% 34
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 7.9% 19
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 13.0% 31
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 9.3% 47
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 204.4 39
Cost of Living: Health 93.1 12  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 14.6% 32
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 16.3% 35
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 11.6% 50
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 1.7% 50
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 8 farms 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 2 markets 61
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 1 restaurant 28
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 1 grocery store 40
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 0 other sources 57
Cost of Living: Food 101.0 30
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 88.3% 59
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 42.6% 40
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.9***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 0 programs   32
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 0 kW   41
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 0 kW   40
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes5 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 5.3%   26
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 48 years 30
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 60% 19
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.8 mph 56
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.2 mph 53
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.3 mph 56
Heating Degree Days 2,649 days 12
Cooling Degree Days 1,966 days 48
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 32 years 54
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 87% 54
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 51% 11
Elevation, feet 292 feet 30
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 88,450 67 (of 72 in EDN study) 2.1% of state population
City Population (2000) 116,278 64 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 4,113,961 25 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region South ---  
EPA Region 4 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 125.0 square miles 36 0.4% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 30,111 square miles 40  
Watershed Name Congaree ---  
Elevation, feet 292 ft. (88.8 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 44.6°F (7.0°C) 22
Average Daily Temperature - July 82.0°F (27.8°C) 55  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 28.6 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 79.9% 6  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 10.3% 43  
Under 5 years of age 6,478 kids (5.6% of total pop.) 65  
One Race-White % (2005) 51.0% 49  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 49.0% 24  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 1.8% 67  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 8.2% 59  
Largest School District Name Rickland 01 ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network