Richland County redrawing districts, seeking public input

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Richland County Council has begun redrawing the maps of its 11 districts.

The redistricting process takes place every 10 years in response to population changes measured by census data, according to a news release from the county.

The county council unanimously approved the redrawn maps last week during the first of three readings. The proposed new maps can be viewed online at www.richlandcountysc.gov on the council districts page.

A second reading is scheduled for Jan. 4, with a third and final reading slated for Feb. 8. Residents can provide input by emailing questions and comments to the clerk to council’s office at rccoco@richlandcountysc.gov or to the county administration office at adminoffice@richlandcountysc.gov by Jan. 18.

A public hearing will also be held on Jan. 18, and the county said it is identifying locations to display the maps before that date.

“Councilmembers have been very deliberate about this process,” Council Chair Paul Livingston said in the release, adding that transparency and public involvement have been the council’s top concerns.

Census figures show the county’s population grew 8.2% since 2010, increasing from 384,504 residents to 416,147, according to the release. Richland County has the state’s second-largest population behind Greenville County.