| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Columbia/100k people | Tennessee/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,511 | n/a (estimate) | 3,060 | 2,624 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 6 | n/a | 12.2 | 7.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 26 | n/a | 52.7 | 37.4 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 16 | n/a | 32.4 | 58.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 235 | n/a | 476.0 | 488.6 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 283 | n/a (estimate) | 573 | 592 | 359 |
| Burglary | 456 | n/a | 923.6 | 251.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 693 | n/a | 1,403.6 | 1,443.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 79 | n/a | 160.0 | 336.7 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,228 | n/a (estimate) | 2,487 | 2,032 | 1,760 |
The Columbia crime rates are 44.4% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 283 violent crimes in Columbia (573 per 100,000 people), which is 59.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1228 property crimes (2487 per 100,000 residents) which is 41.3% higher than average.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Columbia has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 6 murders in Columbia, which is 12 murders per 100,000 people.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Columbia residents. Out of the respondents (28 in total), 46% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Columbia were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 54% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To determine if Columbia is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Columbia has a total crime rate that is 44% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 4.14 daily crimes (0.78 violent daily crimes and 3.36 daily property crimes) in Columbia.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Columbia. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Columbia has increased by 9.7%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 2.4%, while property crime has increased by 12.9%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Columbia.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Columbia crime rates. In Columbia, the poverty rate stands at 12.2%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
Columbia has a population density of 1280 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Columbia crime rates.
High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Columbia are $1,345, compared to a national average of $1,444 per month.
| Item | Columbia | Tennessee | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 96 | 11,551 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.7 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Tennessee /100K | National /100K |
| Tennessee | 24,578 | 412 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Spring Hill, TN | 42,910 | 164 | 499 | 663 |
| Thompson's Station, TN | 6,256 | 193 | 661 | 853 |
| Mount Pleasant, TN | 4,998 | 269 | 745 | 1,014 |
| Lewisburg, TN | 12,475 | 716 | 1,932 | 2,648 |
| Summertown, TN | 540 | 707 | 2,425 | 3,132 |
| Columbia, TN | 40,814 | 573 | 2,487 | 3,060 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Keizer, OR | 40,787 | 146 | 1,911 | 2,057 |
| Friendswood, TX | 40,785 | 101 | 545 | 645 |
| Annapolis, MD | 40,873 | 808 | 2,094 | 2,903 |
| Marlborough, MA | 40,753 | 421 | 1,036 | 1,457 |
| Los Banos, CA | 40,884 | 214 | 1,833 | 2,046 |
| Columbia, TN | 40,814 | 573 | 2,487 | 3,060 |
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