Hopkins is a census-designated place (CDP) in Richland County, South Carolina, United States. It was founded circa 1836 and named after John Hopkins (1739–1775). It is located 11 miles (18 km) southeast of downtown Columbia and is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the Hopkins CDP was 2,882.^[5]

Hopkins is 6 miles (10 km) northwest of South Carolina's only national park, Congaree National Park, which is located off Bluff Road west of Gadsden. The Congaree National Park has contiguously preserved the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, and contains one of the tallest deciduous forests in the world. It has 27,000-acre (110 km²) of land and water. The park was designated an international Biosphere, a Globally Important Bird Area, and a National Natural Landmark. While in the park one can hike, backpack, camp, canoe, fish, birdwatch, and study nature.

The city is also home to the Columbia South Carolina Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Richland County School District One operates public schools serving Hopkins.^[8][9] Residents are zoned to Hopkins Elementary School, Horrell Hill Elementary School, Hopkins Middle School, Southeast Middle School, and Lower Richland High School.^[10]

• Joseph Neal, South Carolina state legislator, was born in Hopkins.^[11]
• A'ja Wilson, basketball player for 2017 NCAA champion South Carolina, was born in Hopkins.
• Derwin Montgomery, North Carolina state legislator, grew up in Hopkins and was elected to the Winston-Salem City Council in 2009. He was appointed in 2018 to a seat in the N.C. House.
• Teyonah Parris, Emmy-nominated actress, grew up in Hopkins. She appeared in Mad Men, Survivor's Remorse, Empire, and was the lead character in Spike Lee's film Chi-raq. Currently stars in Disney+'s WandaVision
• David Patten, former NFL wide receiver who won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots
• King George, Music Artist