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C

Is Columbia, Tennessee Safe?

Population 50,072 · Safer than 34% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C grade for Columbia means there's room for concern. The 217.2 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,548 per 100K.

Columbia Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricColumbiaTennessee AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate395.2334.5363.8
Property Crime Rate1776.82062.11,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate262.0--268.2
Theft Rate1548.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate293.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

217.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

395/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1777/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Columbia

Violent crime in Columbia is close to the national average. The rate of 395.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1776.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,548 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Columbia Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault262
098% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery78
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary264
098% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,548
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft293
092% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Columbia Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbia
395.2
State
334.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Columbia
1776.8
State
2062.1
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 C with a crime rate of 217.2 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 Columbia?
217.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 395.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1776.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Columbia safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Columbia's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,548 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 C grade.
How does Columbia compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Below average for the state. Columbia ranks behind about 65% of Tennessee cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Columbia 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 Columbia?
Bad. A C grade and 217.2 per-thousand rate put Columbia below 66% of US cities. Violent crime at 395 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Columbia?
395.2 per 100,000, which is 9% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (262), robbery (78), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Tennessee

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View all Tennessee 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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