Richland County Genealogy
- Formed 1785
- Parent district Camden District
- County seat Columbia
- Neighbors Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Sumter
In-depth topics
Richland County was formed in 1785 (Camden District). The county seat is Columbia. Neighboring counties include Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Sumter.
Use the research panels below for modern starting points—government contacts, census, vital records, cemeteries—and read the legacy narrative for local history notes and older link collections (some updated).
Richland County was formed in 1785 as part of the Camden District. The county seat is Columbia, which also serves as the State Capital. Charleston was the capital until 1786, when the state legislature decided a more central location would be preferred. Columbia was laid out specifically for this purpose. The city was burned by General Sherman during the Civil War. The University of South Carolina is located in Columbia. It was founded in 1802.
Fort Jackson was established in Richland County in 1917 as an Initial Entry Training Center. Richland county is the second most populous county in the state of South Carolina and Columbia is the most populous city. Richland County also includes the Congaree National Park, Sesquicentennial State Park, Woodrow Wilson's boyhood home, the South Carolina State Museum and Lake Murray.
Historic Columbia Foundation
1601 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201-2633
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Richland County
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Richland County:
Arcadia Lakes
Arthurtown
Ballentine
Blythewood
Boyden Arbor
Columbia
Congaree
Denny Terrace
Dentsville
Eastover
Forest Acres
Gadsden
Harbison
Hilton
Hopkins
Horrell Hill
Irmo
Killian
Kingville
Lake Murray
Leesburg
Lykes
Olympia
Pontiac
St. Andrews
Spring Hill
State Park
Wateree
White Rock
Woodfield
News related to Richland County, SC
History notes
Richland County's documentary trail follows South Carolina's district-to-county evolution. When searching before county formation, check parent districts and neighboring counties for deeds, estates, and tax lists.
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules (and some state/colonial substitutes) are foundational for Richland County household reconstruction. Start with every decade the family should appear, then correlate with land and probate.
Vital records
South Carolina statewide vital registration is comparatively late. For many Richland County families you will rely on a mix of county probate, church registers, Bible records, newspapers, and delayed birth certificates—not only a single “vital records office” file.
Cemeteries
Cemetery surveys for Richland County appear in published books, Find a Grave, USGenWeb archives, and local historical society vertical files. Always note whether a reading is complete or partial.
Courthouse & contacts
Richland County Courthouse
Columbia, South Carolina
https://www.richlandcountysc.gov/