Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina. Centrally located, it is the governmental hub for the entire state. Area appreciation varies but generally speaking it follows or beats the national average. Many people throughout the state commute to work to Columbia and many sections of Columbia have been growing quickly in recent years, specifically, Lexington County and Northeast Columbia have boomed.

Being a state capital, as one would expect, the economy is largely based on state and Federal government-based jobs (similar to Sacramento, CA, for example). Many investors choose this area because it tends to be steady and stable with not a lot of wild real estate market swings seen in other areas. The heart of downtown Columbia is comprised of historic buildings as well as gleaming high rises since it is a bustling commercial and governmental area. Aside from state government jobs, there are lots of large commercial employers in the area such as Blue Cross Blue Shield with over 5000 employees, Palmetto Health with over 7000 employees, and UPS Air Cargo Division with over 3500 employees to name just a few! Downtown also boasts the largest university in the state, the University of South Carolina which has over 30,000 students. Additionally, the University of SC has a Medical University located there as well. Nearby, Columbia College is home to an all-female private college and Midlands Technical college help create a well qualified workforce. These campuses also provide thousands of area jobs as well.

South Carolina's historical charm and southern hospitality are unmatched and our state is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. Boasting three rivers and beautiful Lake Murray, the Columbia region offers unmatched recreational opportunities for boating, fishing, and outdoor enthusiasts. One of the most attractive features of Lexington is Lake Murray. This lake is 41 miles long and 14 miles at its widest point and touches four counties - Richland, Lexington, Saluda and Newberry. Accessibility is easy with exits off I-20 in Lexington and I-26 at Irmo and Chapin. It is no wonder that year-round lake living has become very popular, and, as a result, many upscale neighborhoods have developed in recent years.

The population statistics according to the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, are that greater Columbia has more than 583,000 individuals, a number that is expected to increase to 648,700 by the year 2010. Of this population, more than 500,000 live in the Columbia area with the remainder living in rural areas. Researchers anticipate the region's population to reach one million by 2025. And, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that, 50.4 percent of the population is male, 49.6 percent is female. The median age is 33 years and the average per capital income is $20,555. Therefore, as one can easily see, the expected growth of the area is anticipated to be strong and to nearly double in just 21 years from the time of this writing.

In closing, Columbia is a fast-growing city that is vital to the state of South Carolina. We can provide our investors with charming investment homes in areas where tenants really like to live. Though it may not have the "sex appeal" of coastal areas, it truly offers the opportunity for someone to take advantage of the areas stability, growth and sensible real estate options. If you like a steady area or one that offers an exceptional low money down opportunities, we suggest you seriously consider Columbia. We have a strong rental history here and the future, according to all the statistics listed above, looks quite bright!