Columbia, SC
29206
Richland County County · South Carolina · Pop. 41,320
Last updated: May 2026
Columbia, South Carolina (ZIP code 29206) is home to approximately 41,320 residents. The median household income in 29206 is $104,405, which is 47% above the national average of $70,784. The cost of living in 29206 is reflected in its housing market - the median home value is $501,104 and the average rent is $2,093/month. 29206 has a violent crime rate of 118.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 69% below the national average - earning it a safety grade of A+. 29206 is served by with an average school rating of 8.2/10. Air quality in 29206 is rated Good with an average AQI of 25.9. The average commute time in 29206 is 24 minutes, 4 minutes below the national average. Compare 29206 vs national averages and nearby neighborhoods using our free ZipScore intelligence platform.
On This Page
👥 Demographics
Race & Ethnicity
💰 Income & Economy
Affordability Assessment: Renters in this area spend approximately 24% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.8x the median income.
🏠 Housing
🔒 Safety & Crime
Columbia (29206) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 69% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area.
🎓 Schools & Education
Top Schools in 29206
| School | Type | Rating | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage Academy | public | 9/10 | 769 |
| Riverside Elementary | public | 9/10 | 911 |
| Columbia Middle School | public | 9/10 | 972 |
| Columbia Elementary School | public | 7/10 | 743 |
🌡️ Climate & Weather
🌫️ Air Quality
⚠️ Natural Disaster Risk
🚗 Commute
Nearby ZIP Codes
Compare 29206 With Another ZIP
Pros and Cons of Living in Columbia, SC (29206)
Based on crime, housing, income, schools, and air quality data
✅ Pros
- + Low crime rate - violent crime is 69% below the national average
- + Above-average income - median household income of $104,405
- + Good air quality - average AQI of 25.9 (rated "Good" by EPA standards)
- + Strong schools - average school rating 8.2/10
- + Low natural disaster risk - minimal risk of flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather
⚠️ Cons
- − High housing costs - home prices 65% above the national average
- − High rent - average $2,093/month, above the national median of $1,163
Data sourced from US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Statistics, and EPA. Individual experiences may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP Code 29206
What is the population of 29206? ▼
The population of ZIP code 29206 in Columbia, South Carolina is approximately 41,320 people.
Is 29206 safe to live in? ▼
Columbia (29206) is significantly safer than the national average, with violent crime rates 69% below the US average. This is considered a very safe area. Safety Grade: A+.
What is the median income in 29206? ▼
The median household income in 29206 (Columbia, South Carolina) is $104,405. The per capita income is $67,863. The US national median household income is $70,784.
What is the cost of living in 29206? ▼
Renters in this area spend approximately 24% of their income on rent, which is considered very affordable. Home prices are moderately affordable at 4.8x the median income. Median home value: $501,104. Average rent: $2,093/month.
What are schools like in 29206? ▼
Schools in 29206 receive an Education Grade of A. There are 4 schools with an average rating of 8.2/10 and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. See the full schools section above for individual school listings.
What is the crime rate in 29206? ▼
The violent crime rate in 29206 is 118.0 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average of 380.7. Property crime rate: 862.0 per 100k (national avg: 1,958.2).
What is the average rent in 29206? ▼
The median monthly rent in 29206 (Columbia, South Carolina) is $2,093/month. The national median rent is $1,163/month.
What is the median home value in 29206? ▼
The median home value in 29206 (Columbia, South Carolina) is $501,104. The national median home value is $303,400.
Is 29206 a good place to live? ▼
29206 (Columbia, South Carolina) has a ZipScore of 76/100 - our composite score based on safety (25%), affordability (20%), schools (15%), air quality (10%), climate (10%), commute (10%), and disaster risk (10%). This is an excellent neighborhood to live in.
What is the air quality in 29206? ▼
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in 29206 is 25.9 - rated Good by EPA standards. Average PM2.5 level: 7.3 µg/m³.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), FBI Uniform Crime Report, EPA AirNow, FEMA National Risk Index, and Open-Meteo. Last updated: May 2026