East Columbia is a census designated place (CDP) in Brazoria County, Texas, United States.

A native of South Carolina, Bell came to Texas with Stephen F. Austin's Old 300 colony in 1821.

Bell built a landing of log-lines docks and timbered stops on the Brazos River, just below Varner's Creek.

The arrival of the railroad in the area led to the decline of steamboat traffic, which had an adverse effect on the town's fortunes.

[16] The Texas Legislature assigned the area in Columbia-Brazoria ISD (including West Columbia) to the Brazosport College district.