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C+

Is Columbus, Indiana Safe?

Population 52,655 · Safer than 42% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Columbus earns a C+ safety grade with 198.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs below the national average, putting the city behind 58% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,434 per 100K.

Columbus Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricColumbusIndiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate235.0309.2363.8
Property Crime Rate1746.72091.51,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate186.0--268.2
Theft Rate1434.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate381.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

198.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

235/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1747/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Columbus

Violent crime in Columbus is below the national average. The rate of 235.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1746.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,434 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Columbus Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault186
069% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery48
076% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary205
076% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,434
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft381
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Columbus Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbus
235.0
State
309.2
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbus
1746.7
State
2091.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Columbus Safety

Is Columbus safe?
It depends on where in Columbus 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 Columbus?
198.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 235.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1746.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Columbus safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Columbus 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 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?
No. Crime in Columbus has been trending down, which is good news for the C+-rated city.
How does Columbus compare to other cities in Indiana?
Middle of the pack for Indiana. Columbus isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 49th percentile among Indiana cities.
How safe is Columbus to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Columbus?
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 42th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbus?
235.0 per 100,000, which is 35% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (186), robbery (48), and murder (2.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Indiana

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

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See crime rates in Anderson56,153 pop · Grade D
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See crime rates in Terre Haute58,764 pop · Grade D+
View all Indiana 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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