Columbus, GA Crime Rates: Stats & Map

F

28%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

70%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

20%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Columbus_{/100k people}	Georgia_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	6,111	n/a (estimate)	2,981	2,058	2,324
Murder	19	n/a	9.3	8.2	6.3
Rape	54	n/a	26.3	36.4	40.0
Robbery	157	n/a	76.6	43.6	66.1
Assault	1,062	n/a	518.1	278.8	268.2
Violent crime	1,292	n/a (estimate)	630	367	370
Burglary	631	n/a	307.8	217.8	269.8
Theft	3,602	n/a	1,757.2	1,266.5	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	586	n/a	285.9	206.5	282.7
Property crime	4,819	n/a (estimate)	2,351	1,691	1,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Columbus, GA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Columbus is 28.3% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Columbus, there were 1292 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 630 per 100,000 individuals, 70.4% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 4819 property crimes, amounting to 2351 per 100,000 residents, 20.3% higher than the U.S. average.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Columbus?

AreaVibes surveyed 235 local residents in Columbus to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 18% of people answered that there was very little crime in Columbus and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 82% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Columbus a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Columbus, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Columbus presents a total crime rate that is 28% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Columbus experiences an average of 16.74 daily crimes, comprising 3.54 violent incidents and 13.2 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Potential Causes for Crime in Columbus

In Columbus, the current unemployment rate stands at 4.9%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Columbus crime rates.

In Columbus, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.9 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

In Columbus, the average rental rates are $925 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

Columbus crime map

The Columbus crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Columbus as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Columbus crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Columbus crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.

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Crime Quick Facts

Columbus crime rates are 28% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Columbus are 70% higher than the national average
In Columbus you have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Columbus is safer than 13% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Columbus has decreased by 17%

Columbus, GA Crime Quiz

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Daily Crime In Columbus (per 100,000 people)

The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Columbus, GA per 100,000 people. In Columbus, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.45 times more than the Georgia average and 1.28 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Columbus is 1.72 times more than the Georgia average and 1.70 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Columbus has a daily crime rate that is 1.39 times more than the Georgia average and 1.20 times more than the overall daily national average.

How Safe is Columbus (higher is better)

Are people any safer living in Columbus in comparison to other Georgia communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Columbus safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Columbus being safer than 16% of cities in Georgia and 13% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Georgia cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Columbus. In conclusion, Columbus ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Columbus

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Columbus is 1 in 159

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Columbus is 1 in 43

The chance of being a victim of crime in Columbus is 1 in 34

Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Columbus? In Columbus, GA you have a 1 in 159 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Columbus.

Year Over Year Crime In Columbus (per 100,000 people)

The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Columbus is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Columbus has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 6% in Columbus, while property crimes in Columbus have decreased by 21%. Total crime has decreased by 17% year over year.

Columbus police department

Item	Columbus	Georgia	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	568	11,364	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	2.9	4.0	3.3

There are a total of 568 Columbus police officers. This results in 2.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 26.8% less than the Georgia average and 11% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in Georgia

State	Total offenders	Georgia_/100K	National_/100K
Georgia	23,117	275	266

There are a total of 23,117 sex offenders in Georgia. This yields a total of 275 sex offenders in Georgia per 100,000 residents which is 3% greater than the national average.

Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Ladonia, AL	3,609	263	1,119	1,382
Smiths Station, AL	5,821	320	1,358	1,678
Cusseta-Chattahoochee County, GA	10,470	494	2,275	2,769
Phenix City, AL	36,461	877	3,698	4,575
Columbus, GA	195,418	630	2,351	2,981

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Port St. Lucie, FL	195,773	117	762	878
Grand Prairie, TX	193,835	203	1,888	2,091
Akron, OH	197,375	821	3,429	4,250
Overland Park, KS	193,412	222	2,394	2,617
Augusta, GA	197,535	634	2,920	3,554
Columbus, GA	195,418	630	2,351	2,981

Source: The Columbus, GA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.