AREA AND ALTITUDE
Columbia is 117.1 square miles
Richland County is 756.5 sq. miles
Lexington County is 700.8 sq. miles
Avg. elevation is 332 feet above sea level

AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION
New residents must obtain license plates within 45 days. Proof of liability insurance, title, registration card and property tax payment is required. Contact the South Carolina Department of Revenue at
(803) 251-2960.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
University of South Carolina
The state's flagship university, USC was chartered in 1801. USC Columbia has an enrollment of more than 26,000 and offers undergraduate, graduate, law and medical degrees.
(803) 777-7700.

Allen University
Offers liberal arts and teacher education. Established under the auspices of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
(803) 254-4165.

Benedict College
Established under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the college offers bachelor of arts and science degrees.
(803) 256-4220.

Columbia International University
A private co-educational institution offering professional training for Christian service.
(803) 754-4100.

Columbia College
A private, independent, church-related liberal arts college for women. Established by the South Carolina Methodist Conference. (803) 786-3012.

Columbia Junior College
Two-year business college offering the associate degree in a number of areas. (803) 799-9082.

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
A fully-accredited graduate school of theology serving students of all denominations. Degrees include master of divinity (four-year program preparatory for ordination), master of arts in religion (two-year program for lay professional leaders), and master of sacred theology (a post-M.Div. or MAR degree). (803) 786-5150; 1-800-804-5233.

Midlands Technical College
A two-year multi-campus offering academic and technical degrees. Part of the South Carolina Technical College System. (803) 738-1400.

DISABILITY INFORMATION
SC Services Information System
Center for Developmental Disabilities
www.scsis.org

USC School of Medicine
Information and referral source for individuals with disabilities and those who are elderly. Currently lists more than 6,500 service providers throughou t the state offering more than 40,000 services to these two special populations. (803) 935-5300;
FAX (803) 935-5250.

DRIVER'S LICENSE
New residents have 90 days to obtain a driver's license. Written exams are not required if you have a valid driver's license from your previous home state. Eye tests are mandatory. Military personnel may operate vehicles on a valid driver's license from his or her home state. If moving within the state, changes of address must be reported within 10 days. Social Security cards and birth certificates are required for anyone who has not previously been issued a license. For information, contact the South Carolina Department of Highways at (803) 359-3259 or (803) 737-1767.

GOVERNMENT
Columbia operates under a council/manager form of government with a mayor elected at large and six council members, two at large and four from districts. Richland and Lexington counties are governed by a council/ administrator form of government. The Richland Council consists of 11 members elected at large. The Lexington Council consists of nine members elected by districts.

HEALTH CARE
The Columbia Metropolitan Area offers the best in health care facilities. These include:
Baptist Medical Center (803) 771-5010
Lexington Medical Center (803) 791-2000
Providence Hospital (803) 256-5300
Richland Memorial Hospital (803) 765-7000
Dorn Veterans Hospital (803) 756-4000
Magnolia Manor of Columbia (803) 699-4111

Specialized Services
Charter Rivers Hospital (803) 796-9911
Children's Hospital
at Richland Memorial (803) 765-7311
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Center (803) 254-7777
Women's Hospital of Lexington (803) 791-8009
Magnolia Manor of Columbia (803) 699-4111

LIBRARIES
The Columbia Metro Area's libraries offer exciting collections of books, magazines and references as well as programs for children and adults for your convenience. Calendars on library events are available through the branches.
Richland County Library (803) 799-9084
Lexington County Library
(803) 532-9223; (803) 359-6984

NEWSPAPERS
The State (daily) (803) 771-8380
Lexington County Chronicle
(weekly) (803) 359-7633
Dispatch News (weekly) (803) 359-3195
Star Reporter (weekly) (803) 771-0219

PETS
All dogs are required to be on a leash and to wear license and rabies vaccination tags. For additional information, contact Animal Care and Control at (803) 776-PETS.

POPULATION
Columbia MSA (including the City of Columbia, Richland
& Lexington counties) 458,876
Columbia 103,477
Lexington County 167,711
Richland County 285,720
Columbia Region (including Fairfield, Richland, Newberry & Lexington counties plus Columbia) 514,223
Projected population for the year 2010
Columbia MSA 625,000
Columbia region 698,600

SCHOOLS
Numerous excellent schooling systems, including more than 70 private schools, serve the Columbia Metropolitan Area. For information on registration, contact the administrative office at one of the five local school districts. They are:
Lexington District 1 (803) 359-4178
Lexington District 2 (803) 796-4708
Lexington District 5 (803) 732-8000
Richland District 1 (803) 733-6000
Richland District 2 (803) 787-1910

For further information, contact the South Carolina Department of Education at
(803) 734-8500.

TAXES
Sales Tax. In South Carolina, there is a standard 5 percent sales tax added with 1 percent devoted to the public school systems.
Personal Income Tax. The state income tax rates range from 3 to 7 percent on a graduated scale based on net income. A net income of $10,000 and above is taxed at the 7 percent rate.
Property Taxes. It is mandatory that all residents list both personal property and real property for the taxation by the county and/or city in which they reside. Tax collection offices are located in the county treasurer's office. Contact the Lexington County Administration Building at (803) 359-8217 or Richland County Administration Annex at (803) 748-4900.

TRANSPORTATION
Columbia is located at the intersection of three major interstate highways: I-20, I-26 and I-77, and is within 90 miles of interstates I-85 and I-95. Other major highways include US 1, 21, 76, 176, 178, 321, 378 and 601.

Daily passenger and cargo airline service is provided through the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, (803) 822-5010.

Amtrak, (800) USA-RAIL, provides passenger train service.

Freight service is provided by Norfolk Southern Systems and CSX.

Greyhound Bus Lines, (803) 779-0650, offers interstate bus service. Local bus service is run by the South Carolina Electric and Gas Co.,
(803) 748-3019.

UTILITIES
Electricity
SCE&G (803) 799-9000
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (803) 359-5551
Central Electric Power Cooperative (803) 779-4975
Tri-County Electric Cooperative (803) 353-8746
Garbage Collection
Columbia Sanitation Dept. (803) 733-8456
Gas
SCE&G (803) 799-9000
Sewer
Sewer Division (803) 733-8615
Telephone
Bell South (residence) 780-2355
(business) 780-2800
Water
Columbia Water Dept. (803) 733-8285

VOTER REGISTRATION
Voting Requirements
You must be a U.S. citizen.
You must be a legal resident of the state of South Carolina.
You must be registered to vote 30 days prior to an election.
You must be at least 18 years old at the time of the election.