Army

Fort Jackson

Columbia, SC

Fort Jackson is the Army's largest and most active Initial Entry Training (IET) base, training roughly 50% of all soldiers entering the US Army each year. Located within Columbia, South Carolina's capital city, the base provides access to a major metropolitan area with the University of South Carolina, excellent state parks, and a growing restaurant scene. South Carolina's warm climate, low cost of living, and military-friendly tax policies make Columbia a popular assignment for cadre and staff.

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Local neighborhood · Columbia, SC

Neighborhoods Near Fort Jackson

Popular communities where military families stationed at Fort Jackson choose to live.

Forest Acres / Arcadia Lakes

10–15 min to main gate

Upscale suburban communities northeast of downtown Columbia, convenient to Fort Jackson and popular with officers and senior NCOs.

SuburbanFamily-friendlyRetiree-friendly

Northeast Columbia (Sandhill area)

5–15 min to main gate

Growing suburbs in Richland County northeast of the base with newer construction and easy gate access — a top choice for military families.

SuburbanNew constructionMilitary community

Lexington

30–40 min to main gate

Booming suburb southwest of Columbia (longer commute) with excellent schools, lower taxes, and strong community infrastructure.

SuburbanFamily-friendlyNew construction

Schools & Education

Richland County School District Two

Richland Two is one of South Carolina's highest-rated large districts and serves the primary military family communities near Fort Jackson.

Ridge View High School and Spring Valley High School are the flagship campuses
Richland Two has a dedicated Military Family Advisory Council
District has multiple National Blue Ribbon schools within its boundaries

Things to Do Near Columbia

Local favorites for dining, outdoor adventures, and entertainment in the Columbia area.

Congaree National Park

Outdoors

America's largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, with boardwalk trails and kayaking through primeval cypress swamps.

Lake Murray

Outdoors

Large reservoir west of Columbia with extensive recreation including boating, fishing, and beaches — a regional outdoor hub.

Motor Supply Co. Bistro

Dining

Award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Columbia's Congaree Vista district, a local institution since 1989.

South Carolina State Museum

Attraction

Comprehensive state museum in Columbia covering art, history, natural history, and space exploration in a converted textile mill.

Sandhill Shopping Area

Shopping

Large lifestyle shopping center near base with national retailers, restaurants, and a movie theater.

EdVenture Children's Museum

Entertainment

One of the largest children's museums in the Southeast, featuring Eddie — the world's largest child exhibit — and dozens of hands-on galleries.

Housing & Cost of Living

Median Home Price

$240,000–$380,000

Typical Rent

$1,200–$1,900/mo

Columbia is an affordable Sun Belt market. Fort Jackson proximity keeps northeast Columbia in steady demand. Lexington is the most competitive submarket due to school quality.

Popular neighborhoods to consider:

Northeast ColumbiaForest AcresIrmo

PCS Tips for Fort Jackson

Contact the installation housing office early — wait lists can be long.
Check BAH rates at the official DoD BAH calculator before setting your home budget.
Get VA pre-approved before your PCS orders — it helps you move fast in competitive markets.
Military-friendly real estate markets near bases can move quickly — be ready to act.

Other Army Installations

Fort Belvoir

Fairfax County, VA·Army

Fort Belvoir is a major Army installation in the National Capital Region hosting dozens of major commands, agencies, and tenant organizations including the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Army's acquisition community. Located in Fairfax County along the Potomac River, the base provides convenient access to Washington D.C., the Pentagon, and all of Northern Virginia's world-class amenities. The downside is Northern Virginia's high cost of living, but BAH rates are among the highest in the military, and career opportunities in the NCR are unmatched.

Fort Benning

Columbus, GA·Army

Fort Benning is the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence and home to Infantry and Armor training, Ranger School, the Airborne School, and the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. Located on the Georgia-Alabama border adjacent to Columbus, Georgia, the base is about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta and 90 miles north of the Alabama coast. Columbus has a revitalized Uptown district with excellent restaurants, craft breweries along the Chattahoochee River, and an active military community.

Fort Bliss

El Paso, TX·Army

Fort Bliss is one of the largest military installations in the world and home to the 1st Armored Division, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and the Air Defense Artillery School. Located in El Paso on the Texas-New Mexico border adjacent to Juárez, Mexico, the base benefits from a warm desert climate, affordable housing, and the unique binational culture of the Paso del Norte region. White Sands National Park, the Organ Mountains, and numerous ski resorts in the Sacramento Mountains are all within reach.