As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only,[3] the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, is an area consisting of six counties in central South Carolina, anchored by the city of Columbia.

It is the second-largest metropolitan statistical area in the state of South Carolina, since the Anderson metropolitan statistical area was combined with Greenville's following the 2010 census.

As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 767,598 people, 294,881 households, and 193,598 families residing within the MSA.

The racial makeup of the MSA was 60.40% White, 33.20% African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.70% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 2.30% from other races, and 2.00% from two or more races.

The Columbia combined statistical area is made up of seven counties in central South Carolina.