Difference between Lexington and Richland counties? (Columbia, St. Andrews: high crime, homes, transfer)

[pvjd]

While looking at homes, I have noticed 2 counties that routinely come up--Lexington and Richland, and I have also heard the terms NE Columbia and W Columbia used in relation to community/home location. Can somebody please elaborate on this for me, and is there a significant difference between Richland, Lexington, NE, W, etc., in terms of distance to the city center, crime, poverty, school districts, amenities, ruralness, etc.? You guys have been very helpful, and I thank you in advance for any info.

[waccamatt]

Richland and Lexington Counties are the core counties of the Columbia metro area. Kershaw, Fairfield, Calhoun and Saluda re the other counties considered to be part of Columbia's Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Richland County contains the City of Columbia, part of Irmo, part of St. Andrews, Forest Acres, Blythewood, Arcadia Lakes, Pontiac, Hopkins, Eastover, Fort Jackson and what is commonly referred to as East Columbia and Northeast Columbia. Richland County is more urban, more diverse and more heavily populated than Lexington. Richland County's politics are predominantly Democratic and it would be considered to be the more liberal of the 2 counties.

Lexington County contains West Columbia, Cayce, Springdale, South Congaree, Gaston, Swansea, Pelion, Batesburg-Leesville, Gilbert, the town of Lexington, part of St. Andrews, part of Irmo and Chapin. The eastern and northeastern parts of Lexington are suburban and fairly heavily built-up and the southern and western parts of the county are primarily rural. Lexington County is predominantly Republican and more traditionally "southern" than is Richland County. These are generalizations, though, and there are exceptions to the rule in both counties.

Here are the 2007 population figures for all of the counties in the metro. Richland, Lexington and Kershaw Counties are all growing fairly rapidly, while the other 3 counties are more rural and their population growth is stagnant. This info is from the U.S. Census Bureau.

NAME CENSUS2000POP POPESTIMATE2007

Metropolitan Statistical Area
Columbia, SC 647,158 716,030
Calhoun County, SC 15,185 14,777
Fairfield County, SC 23,454 23,333
Kershaw County, SC 52,647 58,168
Lexington County, SC 216,014 243,270
Richland County, SC 320,677 357,734
Saluda County, SC 19,181 18,748

[pvjd]

Originally Posted by waccamatt

Richland and Lexington Counties are the core counties of the Columbia metro area. Kershaw, Fairfield, Calhoun and Saluda re the other counties considered to be part of Columbia's Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Richland County contains the City of Columbia, part of Irmo, part of St. Andrews, Forest Acres, Blythewood, Arcadia Lakes, Pontiac, Hopkins, Eastover, Fort Jackson and what is commonly referred to as East Columbia and Northeast Columbia. Richland County is more urban, more diverse and more heavily populated than Lexington. Richland County's politics are predominantly Democratic and it would be considered to be the more liberal of the 2 counties.

Lexington County contains West Columbia, Cayce, Springdale, South Congaree, Gaston, Swansea, Pelion, Batesburg-Leesville, Gilbert, the town of Lexington, part of St. Andrews, part of Irmo and Chapin. The eastern and northeastern parts of Lexington are suburban and fairly heavily built-up and the southern and western parts of the county are primarily rural. Lexington County is predominantly Republican and more traditionally "southern" than is Richland County. These are generalizations, though, and there are exceptions to the rule in both counties.

Here are the 2007 population figures for all of the counties in the metro. Richland, Lexington and Kershaw Counties are all growing fairly rapidly, while the other 3 counties are more rural and their population growth is stagnant. This info is from the U.S. Census Bureau.

NAME CENSUS2000POP POPESTIMATE2007

Metropolitan Statistical Area
Columbia, SC 647,158 716,030
Calhoun County, SC 15,185 14,777
Fairfield County, SC 23,454 23,333
Kershaw County, SC 52,647 58,168
Lexington County, SC 216,014 243,270
Richland County, SC 320,677 357,734
Saluda County, SC 19,181 18,748

Thanks so much for the info. Out of the areas you listed, are there any that are more dangerous, or less desireable than others? In Birmingham, we have a pretty high crime and murder rate, but much of it is highly concentrated. For example, Mountain Brook (the very wealthy section) is just a couple of miles away from several housing projects. Where I live, there is little crime. However, due to the nature of my job, I am in dangerous parts of town on a daily basis. You would be amazed at the difference that 8 blocks makes crime-wise. I don't believe for a second that there is such thing as a crime free town, so a little crime here and there doesn't bother me. I believe that I am rather street smart. However, I do have a son that will be visiting in summer and on holidays, and my wife and I do plan to have children of our own. Besides, nobody enjoys being robbed (believe me, I know from experience). Also, on another subject, how difficult is it to navigate inside the city? In Birmingham, everything is on a grid (n., s., w., e., with avenues and streets having corresponding numbers--ex. 1st ave. n. and 12th st., etc.). Is Columbia similar, or do the city streets go by street names? Thanks.

[waccamatt]

The streets in Columbia go by street names, but downtown Columbia is on a grid with mostly wide streets. There are some pocket areas to avoid, some along Bluff Road well south of downtown, some parts of Eau Claire (northside), but other parts are fine. I'd stay away from Percival Road near Fort Jackson and some areas around the in-town part of Two Notch Road. What kinds of amenities do you like to be close to?

[pvjd]

Movies, Restaurants, etc. Festivals and concerts are nice, so I would like to be 15 minutes or so away from those sort of venues. Also, grocery stores and hospitals are good to be close to. Not so much into clubs or bars, or the college town thing.

[Tommy1981]

Movies, Restaurants and Shopping will be either at Harbison and 26 or Two Notch and 20. Most of the festivals are in the downtown area which is not really close to any of the movies or shopping areas.

I'm partial to the West Columbia/Lexington side of town. Its close enough to the Harbison Area when you need to go shopping and fairly close to downtown too.

[Captain Worley]

I'm with Tommy. Cayce or West Columbia is a good choice, IMO. I grew up in Richland County, but chose to live in Lexington because of government and tax issues I have with Richland county. That's not to say Richco is bad, mind you.

[waccamatt]

Most of the more interesting restaurants will be downtown in either the Vista area or in Five Points. There are also some in the Devine Street area of Shandon, which is close to Five Points. Most of the restaurants you'll find around the malls will be the chain variety and there are a number of those. Some of the festivals include a Taste of Columbia at the Zoo, the Columbia International Festival at the Fairgrounds, St. Patrick's Day in Five Points, Riverfest at Riverfront Park, the SC State Fair, the Okra Strut in Irmo, the Gilbert Peach Festival, Eau Claire Renaissance Faire and others.

[Brandon Hoffman]

I think everyone's personal opinion on here is valid and accurate for the different parts of town. You should decide what amenities you are most interested in and go from there.

There are good and bad areas in each part of town and you should hire an agent that knows the entire Columbia area to help you buy something you'll be happy with (if you're buying).

[MoonlightFlight]

I see one part of pvjd's question was not addressed.

When my husband was transferred to the Columbia area several years ago, I had to do some long distance research, like you are, from Long Island. There were no forums like this one back then. To narrow down where I would start looking for a home, I focused on the best school districts in the Columbia area.

This not only benefits the children you may have, but your resale value as well. First time homebuyers are not always aware of this, but after you've bought and sold a few homes, you know to think resale value. Savvy young home buyers will buy in the best school district if they can afford it, even if they don't have children.

There are five School Districts in the Columbia area in Richland and Lexington Counties. Of these, Lexington County School District One and Lexington/Richland Counties School District Five are consistantly the top rated districts, in that order. Lexington County School District Two ranks third. Richland S.D. 1 and 2 are the others.

Just something to consider when deciding where to put down roots.