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C-

Is West Columbia, South Carolina Safe?

Population 18,489 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 18,489, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. West Columbia earns a C- with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,486 per 100K.

West Columbia Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWest ColumbiaSouth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate349.6339.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2052.02029.81,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate269.0--268.2
Theft Rate1486.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate258.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

240.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

350/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2052/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for West Columbia

Violent crime in West Columbia is close to the national average. The rate of 349.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2052.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,486 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

West Columbia Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault269
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery64
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary377
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,486
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft258
081% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How West Columbia Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Columbia
349.6
State
339.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Columbia
2052.0
State
2029.8
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About West Columbia Safety

Is West Columbia safe?
Not especially. West Columbia earns a C- with a crime rate of 240.2 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 West Columbia?
240.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 349.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2052.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is West Columbia safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. West Columbia's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,486 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in West Columbia?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in West Columbia generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the West Columbia police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in West Columbia?
Yes, there's been an uptick. West Columbia's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does West Columbia compare to other cities in South Carolina?
Below average for the state. West Columbia ranks behind about 68% of South Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is West Columbia to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in West Columbia?
Bad. A C- grade and 240.2 per-thousand rate put West Columbia below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 350 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in West Columbia?
349.6 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (269), robbery (64), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all South Carolina 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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