F
69%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
22%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
78%
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 peopleColumbus/100k peopleOhio/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime35,691n/a (estimate)3,9342,0762,324
Murder127n/a14.06.16.3
Rape1,005n/a110.848.440.0
Robbery1,275n/a140.553.166.1
Assault1,675n/a184.6185.9268.2
Violent crime4,082n/a (estimate)450294370
Burglary4,288n/a472.7255.3269.8
Theft20,028n/a2,207.71,292.91,401.9
Vehicle theft7,293n/a803.9234.5282.7
Property crime31,609n/a (estimate)3,4841,7831,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Columbus, OH

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Columbus is 69.3% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 4082 violent crimes reported in Columbus, equivalent to 450 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 21.7%. Additionally, Columbus recorded 31609 property crimes, amounting to 3484 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 78.3%.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Columbus is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 127 murders in Columbus, which equates to 14 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Columbus being a very dangerous place to live.

The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Columbus is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Columbus reported a total of 7293 vehicle thefts, resulting in 804 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 125, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Columbus?

AreaVibes surveyed 279 local residents in Columbus to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 27% of people answered that there was very little crime in Columbus and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 73% 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 69% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Columbus experiences an average of 97.78 daily crimes, comprising 11.18 violent incidents and 86.6 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 Columbus Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Columbus crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Columbus has increased by 2.1% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 24.2% and property crime has increased by 6.8%.

Columbus Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Columbus region comprises an array of over 39 distinct neighborhoods, each characterized by its unique crime rate influenced by factors including location and socioeconomic conditions. Typically, neighborhoods situated near the city center or downtown core exhibit higher crime rates owing to their higher population density. Conversely, neighborhoods on the city's outskirts tend to boast lower population density, along with reduced unemployment and poverty rates, contributing to a safer environment. Among the secure neighborhoods in Columbus are exemplars such as Southside, Harrison West and Worthington, whereas Franklinton, Fort Columbus Airport and Olentangy River Road grapple with an above-average reported crime rate. This underscores the necessity for thorough evaluation across multiple neighborhoods, given their notable variations in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Columbus

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 Columbus, the cost of living is 11.45% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Columbus, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.68, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Columbus stands at $160,000, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

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 69% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Columbus are 22% higher than the national average
  • In Columbus you have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Columbus is safer than 15% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Columbus has increased by 3%

Columbus, OH Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Columbus (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Columbus, Ohio is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Columbus are 1.89 times more than the Ohio average and 1.69 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Columbus are 1.53 times more than than Ohio and 1.22 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Columbus are 1.95 times more than than Ohio and 1.78 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Columbus (higher is better)

        How safe is Columbus, Ohio compared to other cities in Ohio and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Columbus is safer than 6% of the cities in Ohio and 15% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Ohio and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Columbus. Overall, Columbus is ranked below average compared to all other cities across 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 223
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Columbus is 1 in 29
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Columbus is 1 in 26
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Columbus, Ohio you have a 1 in 223 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 29 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Columbus.

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

        Determining whether Columbus is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Columbus violent crime rates have decreased by 23%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 8% year over year. Total crimes for Columbus has increased by 3% in the same time frame.

        Columbus police department

        Item Columbus Ohio National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)2,13817,044558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.72.73.3
        There are a total of 2,138 Columbus police officers. This results in 2.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 0.7% less than the Ohio average and 17.5% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Ohio

        State Total offenders Ohio /100K National /100K
        Ohio17,872156266
        There are a total of 17,872 sex offenders in Ohio. This yields a total of 156 sex offenders in Ohio per 100,000 residents which is 41% 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
        New California, OH1,33041250292
        Minerva Park, OH1,37276463540
        Lithopolis, OH1,99879478557
        Powell, OH13,35342611652
        Bexley, OH13,805112679791
        Riverlea, OH574119720839
        Marble Cliff, OH689119720839
        Columbus, OH889,0794503,4843,934

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Fort Worth, TX892,2215022,7403,242
        Jacksonville, FL902,4883872,3392,726
        San Francisco, CA874,7846966,2466,942
        Charlotte, NC873,5707463,3754,121
        Indianapolis, IN869,3871,0283,3774,404
        Columbus, OH889,0794503,4843,934
        Source: The Columbus, OH 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.