Irmo (/ˈərmoʊ/) is a town in Lexington and Richland counties, South Carolina, United States, and a suburb of Columbia. It is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located 12 miles (19 km) northwest of the city center. The population of Irmo was 11,569 at the 2020 census.[4]
Irmo, South Carolina | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto(s): "Gateway to Lake Murray and Home of the Okra Strut" | |
 Location in Richland County and the state of South Carolina. | |
| Coordinates: 34°07′10″N 81°12′30″W / 34.11944°N 81.20833°W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| Counties | Lexington, Richland |
| Incorporated | December 24, 1890 |
| Named after | C.J. Iredell and H.C. Mosely[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 6.86 sq mi (17.77 km2) |
| • Land | 6.86 sq mi (17.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 358 ft (109 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 11,569 |
| • Density | 1,660/sq mi (641.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 29063 |
| Area codes | 803, 839 |
| FIPS code | 45-35890[5] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405893[1] |
| Demonym | Irmite |
History
editIrmo was chartered on Christmas Eve in 1890 in response to the opening of the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad. The name of Irmo was the result of combining the names of Captain C.J. Iredell and Henry Moseley, two important figures in the founding of the town.
Little League World Series
editA baseball team from Irmo qualified for the 2025 Little League World Series, representing the Southeast Region.
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.86 square miles (17.8 km2), all land.[3]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 193 | — | |
| 1910 | 267 | 38.3% | |
| 1920 | 236 | −11.6% | |
| 1930 | 365 | 54.7% | |
| 1940 | 230 | −37.0% | |
| 1950 | 281 | 22.2% | |
| 1960 | 359 | 27.8% | |
| 1970 | 517 | 44.0% | |
| 1980 | 3,957 | 665.4% | |
| 1990 | 11,280 | 185.1% | |
| 2000 | 11,039 | −2.1% | |
| 2010 | 11,097 | 0.5% | |
| 2020 | 11,569 | 4.3% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 12,204 | [6]  | 5.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7][4] | |||
Racial and ethnic composition
edit| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[8] | Pop 2010[9] | Pop 2020[10] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,370 | 6,981 | 6,466 | 75.82% | 62.91% | 55.89% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,220 | 3,277 | 3,518 | 20.11% | 29.53% | 30.41% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 25 | 41 | 42 | 0.23% | 0.37% | 0.36% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 157 | 178 | 241 | 1.42% | 1.60% | 2.08% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 9 | 0 | 29 | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.25% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 12 | 26 | 74 | 0.11% | 0.23% | 0.64% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 89 | 223 | 536 | 0.81% | 2.01% | 4.63% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 157 | 371 | 663 | 1.42% | 3.34% | 5.73% |
| Total | 11,039 | 11,097 | 11,569 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
editAs of the 2020 census, Irmo had a population of 11,569.[11] The median age was 39.3 years. 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 83.1 males age 18 and over.[12]
There were 4,564 households in Irmo, including 3,327 families. Of all households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.2% were married-couple households, 14.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 4,825 housing units, of which 5.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.[12]
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.[13]
Demographic estimates
editAs of 2023, of the 11,519 people, about 7,550 are in Richland County and about 4,019 are in Lexington County.[14]
2000 census
editAs of the census of 2000, there are 11,039 people, 3,911 households, and 3,163 families residing in the town. The population density is 1,032.0/km² (2,670.2/mi²). There are 4,066 housing units at an average density of 380.1/km² (983.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 76.76% White, 20.16% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,911 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,847, and the median income for a family was $62,005. Males had a median income of $41,054 versus $30,171 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,312. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
edit
The Okra Strut is an annual festival started in 1973 as a fundraising effort for a new library. Named for the okra plant, events have included a charity golf tournament, street dance, live entertainment, a midway, cycling and running competitions, arts and crafts exhibits, and a parade.[15]
The Jacob Wingard Dreher House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[16]
Irmo has two public libraries, a branch of the Lexington County Public Library[17] and a branch of the Richland County Public Library.
Government
editAs of July 2025, the town council includes:[18]
- Bill Danielson - Mayor
- Dr. Barb Waldman - Mayor Pro-Tem
- Phyllis Coleman - Council Member
- Gabriel Penfield - Council Member
- Mike Ward - Council Member
A town administrator, responsible primarily for the efficient operation of the town government, is appointed by the town council.[19]
Education
editThe school district is Lexington School District 5 for all parts of Irmo.[20][21]
Schools in the city limits include:
- Irmo Elementary School serves grades K-5.[22]
- H. E. Corley Elementary School
- Dutch Fork Elementary School
Schools in proximity to Irmo, with "Irmo" in their names, and/or with Irmo postal addresses, but not in the city limits:
- Crossroads Intermediate School serves grade 6.[23]
- Irmo Middle School serves grades 6-8.[23]
- Irmo High School serves grades 9-12.[23]
- Dutch Fork Middle School serves grades 7-8[24]
- Dutch Fork High School serves Grades 9-12.[24]
Notable people
edit- Tyler Bass (born 1997), NFL kicker for Buffalo Bills, attended Dutch Fork High School
- Harold Boulware (born 1913), chief counsel for the South Carolina NAACP, one of the prosecuting attorneys in Briggs v. Elliott (1952)[25]
- Ben Bridwell (born 1978), singer for Band of Horses
- Alaina Coates (born 1995), professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky
- Danny Efland (born 1988), racing driver
- Nick Emmanwori (born 2004), NFL safety[26]
- Leeza Gibbons (born 1957), talk show host
- Jalin Hyatt (born 2001), NFL wide receiver for the New York Giants
- Dustin Johnson (born 1984), professional golfer; attended Dutch Fork High School
- B.J. McKie (born 1977), minor league basketball player University of South Carolina
- Courtney Shealy (born 1977), swimmer, 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist
- E. Lee Spence (born 1947), pioneer underwater archaeologist and shipwreck historian
- Auden Tate (born 1997), NFL wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons
References
edit- 1 2 3 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Irmo, South Carolina
- ↑ "Irmo". South Carolina Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- 1 2 "QuickFacts: Irmo town, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- 1 2 3 "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 27, 1996. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ↑ "2025 City and town population estimates: South Carolina". U.S. Census Bureau. May 14, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Irmo town, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Irmo town, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Irmo town, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
- ↑ "General Highway System Lexington County, South Carolina" (PDF). South Carolina Department of Transportation. February 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ↑ "The Irmo Okra Strut". Town of Irmo. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
- ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ↑ "Locations". Lexington County Public Library. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ↑ "Council Directory". Town of Irmo, South Carolina. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Town Council". Town of Irmo, South Carolina. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Richland County, SC" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2024. - Text list
- ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lexington County, SC" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2024. - Text list
- ↑ "Irmo Elementary / Homepage". Retrieved August 12, 2020.
- 1 2 3 "General Highway System Lexington County, South Carolina" (PDF). South Carolina Department of Transportation. February 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024. - The schools are not directly shown on the map, but comparing their locations with the map shows they are not in the Irmo city limits.
- 1 2 "General Highway System Richland County, South Carolina" (PDF). South Carolina Department of Transportation. June 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024. - The school is not directly shown on the map, but comparing its location with the map shows it is not in the Irmo city limits.
- ↑ "Harold Boulware". National Park Service. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ↑ "Emmanwori gives back to local families, just in time for Thanksgiving". 247Sports. Retrieved January 26, 2025.