| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Colby/100k people | Wisconsin/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 54 | n/a (estimate) | 1,269 | 1,433 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 117.5 | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 23.5 | 34.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 39.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 6 | n/a | 141.0 | 200.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 12 | n/a (estimate) | 282 | 279 | 359 |
| Burglary | 5 | n/a | 117.5 | 117.2 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 31 | n/a | 728.4 | 875.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 6 | n/a | 141.0 | 161.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 42 | n/a (estimate) | 987 | 1,154 | 1,760 |
The Colby crime rates are 40.1% lower 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 12 violent crimes in Colby (282 per 100,000 people), which is 21.5% lower than the national average and there were a total of 42 property crimes (987 per 100,000 residents) which is 43.9% lower than average.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Colby is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 5 murders in Colby, which equates to 117 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Colby being a very dangerous place to live.
Determining whether Colby is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Colby has an overall crime rate that is 40% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.15 daily occurrences, comprising 0.03 violent crimes and 0.12 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Colby as a potential place to establish residency.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Colby has increased by 28.6%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Colby, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 140%, while property crime has increased by 13.5%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Colby is a safe place to live.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Colby currently has an unemployment rate of 1.9%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Colby crime rates. Colby registers a population density of 1590.1 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Colby, 75.5% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
| Item | Colby | Wisconsin | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 7 | 9,355 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Wisconsin /100K | National /100K |
| Wisconsin | 24,983 | 456 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Stratford, WI | 1,510 | 98 | 408 | 506 |
| Spencer, WI | 1,753 | 104 | 431 | 535 |
| Loyal, WI | 1,279 | 118 | 492 | 610 |
| Abbotsford, WI | 2,016 | 120 | 497 | 616 |
| Athens, WI | 977 | 285 | 1,184 | 1,469 |
| Fenwood, WI | 166 | 324 | 1,345 | 1,670 |
| Greenwood, WI | 975 | 344 | 1,426 | 1,770 |
| Colby, WI | 2,607 | 282 | 987 | 1,269 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Marysville, PA | 2,607 | 112 | 224 | 336 |
| Johnston, SC | 2,607 | 221 | 993 | 1,214 |
| Colwyn, PA | 2,607 | 144 | 840 | 984 |
| Burlington, KS | 2,608 | 233 | 582 | 814 |
| Linden, AZ | 2,608 | 109 | 464 | 573 |
| Colby, WI | 2,607 | 282 | 987 | 1,269 |
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