A+
84%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
73%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
87%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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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.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleColumbia/100k peopleKentucky/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime18n/a (estimate)3601,6632,324
Murder0n/a0.06.86.3
Rape0n/a0.033.840.0
Robbery0n/a0.038.166.1
Assault5n/a100.1135.4268.2
Violent crime5n/a (estimate)100214370
Burglary6n/a120.1244.8269.8
Theft7n/a140.1989.81,401.9
Vehicle theft0n/a0.0214.2282.7
Property crime13n/a (estimate)2601,4491,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Columbia, KY

The Columbia crime rates are 84.5% 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 5 violent crimes in Columbia (100 per 100,000 people), which is 72.9% lower than the national average and there were a total of 13 property crimes (260 per 100,000 residents) which is 86.7% lower than average.

Columbia enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, standing at just 360, a significant contrast to the national average of 2324. This distinction firmly establishes Columbia as one of the safest places to reside in the entire United States. This crime rate is meticulously calculated, taking into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 individuals, providing a comprehensive perspective on the area's safety and livability.

Columbia shines as one of the safest cities in the United States, thanks to its remarkably low rate of only 100 violent incidents per 100,000 residents. This impressive safety record has made Columbia an attractive choice for individuals seeking a secure and hospitable community to call home.

In the most recently reported crime year, Columbia registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

The property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have shown a steady decrease of more than 50% since 1990, with a slight uptick in recent years. The most recent crime data reveals that Columbia records a property crime rate of 260 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 1954. This underscores Columbia as an exceptionally secure and attractive residential destination, highlighting its unwavering dedication to fostering safety and community well-being.

The United States experiences some of the highest vehicle theft rates in the world, with about 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 people. In fact, only a small percentage (about 10%) of cities were lucky enough to report no stolen vehicles at all. Columbia was one of those cities, as it had no reported vehicle thefts in the most recent crime report.

Is Columbia a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Columbia, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Columbia presents a total crime rate that is 85% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Columbia experiences an average of 0.05 daily crimes, comprising 0.01 violent incidents and 0.04 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Columbia Increased Since Last Year?

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 5.9%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 150%, while property crime has increased by 13.3%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Columbia.

Potential Causes for Crime in Columbia

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Columbia, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 4.8%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Columbia, the cost of living is 19.21% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

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 $606, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Columbia crime map



The Columbia crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Columbia 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 Columbia crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Columbia 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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Compare Columbia, KY Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Columbia crime rates are 84% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Columbia are 73% lower than the national average
      • In Columbia you have a 1 in 278 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Columbia is safer than 84% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Columbia has increased by 5%

      Columbia, KY Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Columbia (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Columbia on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Kentucky and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Columbia (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Kentucky, are 4.61 times less than the state average and 6.45 times less than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Columbia on a daily basis are 2.14 times less than than Kentucky average and 3.69 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Columbia are 5.57 times less than the daily state average and 7.51 times less than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Columbia (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Kentucky and all other cities across the US, is Columbia safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Columbia is safer than 55% of other cities in the state of Kentucky. In addition, Columbia is safer than 84% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Kentucky and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Columbia. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Columbia is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Columbia

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Columbia is 1 in 1000
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Columbia is 1 in 385
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Columbia is 1 in 278
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Columbia, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 1000. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 385 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Columbia is 1 in 278.

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

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Columbia, Kentucky (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Columbia has increased by 144%, the amount of property crime in Columbia has decreased by 14%, and the total amount of crime in Columbia has increased by 5% year over year.

        Columbia police department

        Item Columbia Kentucky National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)135,359558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.92.83.3
        There are a total of 13 Columbia police officers. This results in 2.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 4.4% greater than the Kentucky average and 10.5% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Kentucky

        State Total offenders Kentucky /100K National /100K
        Kentucky9,099222266
        There are a total of 9,099 sex offenders in Kentucky. This yields a total of 222 sex offenders in Kentucky per 100,000 residents which is 17% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Russell Springs, KY2,58772431503
        Jamestown, KY2,24254923977
        Greensburg, KY2,2263151,0361,351
        Columbia, KY4,748100260360

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Telford, PA4,747152804956
        Guerneville, CA4,7473211,5031,824
        Highlands, NJ4,746172258430
        West Elmira, NY4,7454001,6062,007
        Dallas, NC4,7442141,8902,103
        Columbia, KY4,748100260360
        Source: The Columbia, KY 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.