CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C+

Is Columbia, Illinois Safe?

Population 10,865 · Safer than 45% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Columbia is a smaller community of 10,865 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 191.9 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,345 per 100K.

Columbia Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricColumbiaIllinois AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate298.9323.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1619.92036.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate223.0--268.2
Theft Rate1345.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate349.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

191.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

299/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1620/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Columbia

Violent crime in Columbia is below the national average. The rate of 298.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1619.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,345 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Columbia Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault223
083% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery37
058% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary241
089% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,345
096% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft349
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Columbia Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbia
298.9
State
323.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbia
1619.9
State
2036.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Columbia Safety

Is Columbia safe?
It depends on where in Columbia you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Columbia?
191.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 298.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1619.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Columbia safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Columbia has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Columbia?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Columbia generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Columbia police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Columbia?
Crime rates have held steady in Columbia, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C+ grade.
How does Columbia compare to other cities in Illinois?
Middle of the pack for Illinois. Columbia isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 51th percentile among Illinois cities.
How safe is Columbia to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Columbia?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 45th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbia?
298.9 per 100,000, which is 18% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (223), robbery (37), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Illinois

Similar-sized communities in Illinois. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in Fox Lake10,849 pop · Grade D
D+
See crime rates in Campton Hills10,894 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Pontiac10,806 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Manhattan10,943 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Summit10,753 pop · Grade D
C+
See crime rates in Roscoe11,034 pop · Grade C+
View all Illinois city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Columbia

Get weekly safety updates for Columbia

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities