Cayce is a city in Lexington and Richland counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, along the Congaree River. The population was 12,150 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Cayce lies mostly across the Congaree River from the state capital of Columbia, with a newly annexed section on the Richland County side awaiting development. Because both it and the neighboring town of West Columbia share road names and schools, they are frequently referred to jointly as Cayce-West Columbia. However, they are politically separate towns. The Congaree River has always played a dominant role of strategic importance in Cayce's development. Cayce and other local governments jointly developed the Riverwalk along the Congaree, which provides walking, jogging, and nature observation opportunities. Development on both sides of the river is an important factor driving the city's economy.