The Midlands region of South Carolina is the middle area of the state. The region's main center is Columbia, the state's capital. The Midlands is so named because it is halfway point between the Upstate and the Lowcountry. The main area code is 803. The area has become a major business center in the state, for its growing production of paper products, textile, medical supplies and steel. It is also a center for farming and medical care. The area is also involved in attractions and tourism, featuring shopping, fishing and amusement. Counties The Midlands area of South Carolina includes at least these eight counties: Calhoun Fairfield Kershaw Lexington Orangeburg Richland Saluda Sumter Usually included Lee County Clarendon County Newberry County Aiken County This region is largely coextensive with the Columbia metropolitan area (which includes Newberry and Orangeburg counties) but . The middle portion of Orangeburg County is located in the Midlands, while the western part is located in the Central Savannah River Area and the eastern part is considered to be located in the Lowcountry. Other than being designated to the Augusta, GA market, Aiken County is also frequently listed as part of the Central Savannah River Area. Cities Primary cities (including county and 2020 census count) Columbia, Richland and Lexington 136,632 Sumter, Sumter County 42,976 Lexington, Lexington County, 23,568 Orangeburg, Orangeburg County 12,704 Suburban towns and cities over 10,000 in population (including county and 2020 census bureau population estimates) West Columbia Lexington, 17,416 Cayce, Lexington, 13,789 Irmo, Richland and Lexington, 11,569 Newberry, Newberry, 10,691 Forest Acres Richland, 10,606 Suburbs with less than 10,000 inhabitants (including county and 2020 census bureau population data) Arcadia Lakes, Richland, 865 Batesburg-Leesville, Lexington, 5,270 Blythewood, Richland, 4,772 Camden, Kershaw, 7,788 Chapin, Lexington, 1,809 Eastover, Richland, 614 Elgin, Kershaw, 1,634 Gaston, Lexington, 1,608 Gilbert, Lexington, 571 Little Mountain, Newberry, 249 North, Orangeburg, 696 Pelion, Lexington, 631 Pine Ridge, Lexington, 2,167 Prosperity, Newberry, 1,178 Ridgeway, Fairfield, 266 Saluda, Saluda, 3,122 Silverstreet, Newberry, 164 St. Matthews, Calhoun, 1,841 Springdale, Lexington, 2,744 Swansea, Lexington, 722 South Congaree, Lexington, 2,377 Winnsboro, Fairfield, 3,215 Unincorporated communities (2020 Census Figures) Dentsville, Richland, 14,431 Hopkins, Richland, 13,025 (2010 data) Lugoff, Kershaw, 9,990 Red Bank, Lexington, 10,924 Seven Oaks, Lexington, 14,652 St. Andrews, Richland, 20,675 Woodfield, Richland, 9,199 Higher education Allen University- Columbia Benedict College- Columbia Central Carolina Technical College- Sumter Claflin University- Orangeburg Columbia College- Columbia Columbia International University- Columbia Midlands Technical