| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | West Columbia/100k people | South Carolina/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,100 | n/a (estimate) | 6,257 | 2,800 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 11.4 | 11.2 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 5 | n/a | 28.4 | 38.2 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 19 | n/a | 108.1 | 40.6 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 103 | n/a | 585.9 | 401.3 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 129 | n/a (estimate) | 734 | 491 | 370 |
| Burglary | 93 | n/a | 529.0 | 352.7 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 799 | n/a | 4,544.7 | 1,706.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 79 | n/a | 449.3 | 249.2 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 971 | n/a (estimate) | 5,523 | 2,308 | 1,954 |
The West Columbia crime rates are 169.2% 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 129 violent crimes in West Columbia (734 per 100,000 people), which is 98.4% higher than the national average and there were a total of 971 property crimes (5523 per 100,000 residents) which is 182.6% higher than average.
Having a crime rate of 6257 per 100,000 residents, West Columbia experiences a crime rate that is 169.2% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, West Columbia contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
West Columbia ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 734 per 100,000 people, West Columbia is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 137 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in West Columbia, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. West Columbia stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In West Columbia, there were a total of 2 murders, translating to 11 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
West Columbia reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 5523 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 19 chance of falling victim to property crime in West Columbia, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and West Columbia has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, West Columbia reported 79 vehicle thefts, which equates to 449 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in West Columbia is 1 in 223.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in West Columbia. Based on the results of the surveys (18 responses), 44% of people felt that there was very little crime in West Columbia and felt safe walking alone at night. While 56% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is West Columbia a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the West Columbia crime rate is 169% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 3.01 crimes per day - 0.35 violent crimes and 2.66 property crimes.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in West Columbia has decreased by 2.5%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of West Columbia, 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 decreased by 2.3%, while property crime has decreased by 2.5%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not West Columbia is a safe place to live.
In West Columbia, the poverty rate currently stands at 19%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in West Columbia crime rates.
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. West Columbia, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 2.4%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.
Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower West Columbia crime rates. For instance, in West Columbia, the population density stands at 1938.6 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
| Item | West Columbia | South Carolina | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 66 | 5,812 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.2 | 5.1 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | South Carolina /100K | National /100K |
| South Carolina | 15,193 | 377 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Pine Ridge, SC | 2,771 | 44 | 706 | 750 |
| Lake Murray of Richland, SC | 6,672 | 160 | 751 | 910 |
| Arcadia Lakes, SC | 756 | 198 | 932 | 1,131 |
| Hopkins, SC | 2,068 | 265 | 1,245 | 1,509 |
| Springdale CDP, SC | 2,355 | 282 | 1,325 | 1,607 |
| Lexington, SC | 21,847 | 241 | 1,644 | 1,885 |
| Chapin, SC | 1,698 | 373 | 1,706 | 2,079 |
| West Columbia, SC | 17,782 | 734 | 5,523 | 6,257 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Colonia, NJ | 17,782 | 195 | 1,361 | 1,556 |
| Oak Grove, OR | 17,781 | 321 | 2,751 | 3,071 |
| Franklin Park, IL | 17,779 | 176 | 1,306 | 1,481 |
| Selma, AL | 17,762 | 769 | 1,619 | 2,388 |
| Albert Lea, MN | 17,804 | 147 | 1,772 | 1,920 |
| West Columbia, SC | 17,782 | 734 | 5,523 | 6,257 |
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