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D-

Is Columbia, Missouri Safe?

Population 130,851 · Safer than 12% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, Columbia faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 88% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,555 per 100K.

Columbia Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricColumbiaMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate447.1333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2388.52080.71,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate328.0--268.2
Theft Rate1555.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate277.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

283.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

447/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2389/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Columbia

Violent crime in Columbia is above the national average. The rate of 447.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2388.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,555 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 328 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Columbia Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault328
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery73
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary410
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,555
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft277
087% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Columbia Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbia
447.1
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbia
2388.5
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Columbia Safety

Is Columbia safe?
Not especially. Columbia earns a D- with a crime rate of 283.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Columbia?
283.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 447.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2388.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Columbia safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Columbia's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,555 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
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 D- grade.
How does Columbia compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. Columbia ranks behind about 88% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Columbia to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Columbia?
Bad. A D- grade and 283.6 per-thousand rate put Columbia below 88% of US cities. Violent crime at 447 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbia?
447.1 per 100,000, which is 23% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (328), robbery (73), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Missouri

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

D-
See crime rates in Independence121,675 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Lee's Summit107,514 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in O'Fallon96,101 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Springfield169,847 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in St. Charles72,561 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in St. Joseph71,001 pop · Grade D+
View all Missouri 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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