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D-

Is Columbus, Georgia Safe?

Population 202,171 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Columbus has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D- safety grade reflects a violent crime rate above the national average and an overall rate of 273.9 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,803 per 100K.

Columbus Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricColumbusGeorgia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate451.9320.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2287.02019.41,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate278.0--268.2
Theft Rate1803.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate566.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

273.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

452/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2287/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Columbus

Violent crime in Columbus is above the national average. The rate of 451.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2287.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,803 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Columbus Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault278
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery60
095% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary256
095% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,803
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft566
01.8x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Columbus Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbus
451.9
State
320.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbus
2287.0
State
2019.4
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Columbus Safety

Is Columbus safe?
Not especially. Columbus earns a D- with a crime rate of 273.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Columbus?
273.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 451.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2287.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Columbus safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Columbus's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,803 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Columbus?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Columbus generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Columbus police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Columbus?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Columbus's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Columbus compare to other cities in Georgia?
Below average for the state. Columbus ranks behind about 75% of Georgia cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Columbus to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Columbus?
Bad. A D- grade and 273.9 per-thousand rate put Columbus below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 452 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbus?
451.9 per 100,000, which is 24% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (278), robbery (60), and murder (9.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Georgia

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View all Georgia city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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