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C

Is Columbus, Nebraska Safe?

Population 25,248 · Safer than 33% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Columbus is a smaller community of 25,248 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 218.8 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,182 per 100K.

Columbus Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricColumbusNebraska AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate386.6328.5363.8
Property Crime Rate1801.52048.11,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate237.0--268.2
Theft Rate1182.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate386.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

218.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

387/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1802/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Columbus

Violent crime in Columbus is close to the national average. The rate of 386.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1801.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,182 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Columbus Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault237
088% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery67
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary237
088% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,182
084% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft386
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Columbus Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbus
386.6
State
328.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbus
1801.5
State
2048.1
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 C with a crime rate of 218.8 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?
218.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 386.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1801.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Columbus safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Columbus's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,182 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?
Crime rates have held steady in Columbus, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Columbus compare to other cities in Nebraska?
Below average for the state. Columbus ranks behind about 72% of Nebraska cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Columbus to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Columbus?
Bad. A C grade and 218.8 per-thousand rate put Columbus below 67% of US cities. Violent crime at 387 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbus?
386.6 per 100,000, which is 6% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (237), robbery (67), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Nebraska

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View all Nebraska 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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