Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, GA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 201,061
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Columbus, Georgia Safe?
Columbus has a safety score of 48/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,843.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Columbus ranks #45 out of 70 cities in Georgia and #2315 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 22nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 78% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Columbus is murder, at 12.9 per 100K — 2.1x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Columbus's total crime rate decreased by 4.9%, with violent crime declining 3.7%.
Columbus Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,223 | 608.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 26 | 12.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 51 | 25.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 102 | 50.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,035 | 514.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 4,495 | 2,235.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 711 | 353.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,289 | 1,635.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 495 | 246.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Columbus vs Georgia Average
How does Columbus's crime rate compare to the Georgia state average?
| Metric | Columbus | Georgia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 608.3 | 345.0 | +76.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,235.6 | 1,941.1 | +15.2% |
| Murder Rate | 12.9 | 7.5 | +73.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,843.9 | 2,286.1 | +24.4% |
Columbus Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Columbus, Georgia.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 201,061 | 2,843.9 | 608.3 | 2,235.6 |
| 2022 | 204,986 | 2,989.5 | 631.8 | 2,357.7 |
| 2021 | 196,633 | 837.1 | 183.6 | 653.5 |
| 2020 | 195,998 | 734.2 | 134.7 | 599.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus, Georgia safe?
Columbus has a safety score of 48/100. With a total crime rate of 2,843.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Columbus is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Columbus, Georgia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Columbus has a violent crime rate of 608.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,235.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Columbus compare to the national average?
Columbus's total crime rate of 2,843.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 201,061.
What types of crime are most common in Columbus?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Columbus include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Columbus safe to visit?
Like any city, Columbus has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 48/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.