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D+

Is Columbus, Mississippi Safe?

Population 22,792 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 22,792, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Columbus earns a D+ with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,721 per 100K.

Columbus Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricColumbusMississippi AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate372.0309.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2140.11996.61,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate270.0--268.2
Theft Rate1721.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate372.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

251.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

372/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2140/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Columbus

Violent crime in Columbus is close to the national average. The rate of 372.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2140.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,721 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Columbus Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault270
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery65
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary365
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,721
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft372
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Columbus Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbus
372.0
State
309.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbus
2140.1
State
1996.6
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 251.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Columbus?
251.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 372.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2140.1 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 (1,721 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 Mississippi?
Below average for the state. Columbus ranks behind about 78% of Mississippi 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 close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Columbus?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.2 per-thousand rate put Columbus below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 372 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbus?
372.0 per 100,000, which is 2% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (270), robbery (65), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Mississippi

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

C-
See crime rates in Pascagoula21,409 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Ridgeland24,750 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in Starkville25,754 pop · Grade C
C+
See crime rates in Vicksburg19,830 pop · Grade C+
C
See crime rates in Brandon26,122 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Gautier19,069 pop · Grade D
View all Mississippi 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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