Located in the heart of the Palmetto State, Columbia was the first planned city in South Carolina and the second in America, and was most likely named in reverence of Christopher Columbus. Columbia serves as the center of government, education and commerce for South Carolina. Colonial Life's headquarters are in Columbia and about 1,000 Colonial Life and Unum corporate staff employees work there.
Columbia boasts more than 200 years of history as well as the Army's largest training base at Fort Jackson. With a metropolitan population of more than 600,000, its central location provides easy access to beaches, mountains and state parks as well as cities as diverse as Charleston and Atlanta. The largest children's museum in the South — EdVenture — is also located here.
Worldwide recognition
Columbia roots
Established in 1786, Columbia replaced Charleston as the seat of government for the state of South Carolina. Columbia is the state's first planned city, and only the second planned city in the United States (Savannah, Georgia was the first).
Columbia has been recognized worldwide for its low cost of living and crime rates as well as its temperate climate and opportunities for job growth, education, the arts and recreation. It has been selected as one of the best places to retire and named one of the best cities for women by Ladies Home Journal. The Columbia metro area has been named one of the best places to live and work in America, voted a world class community and a top metro area for European business expansion.