Violent
Property
Total
Columbia, MO Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 130,354
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Columbia, Missouri Safe?
Columbia has a safety score of 51/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,666.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Columbia ranks #46 out of 70 cities in Missouri and #2230 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 25th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 75% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Columbia is murder, at 10.0 per 100K — 1.6x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Columbia's total crime rate decreased by 8%, with violent crime declining 9.9%.
Columbia Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 455 | 349.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 13 | 10.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 50 | 38.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 52 | 39.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 338 | 259.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,021 | 2,317.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 434 | 332.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,093 | 1,605.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 494 | 379.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Columbia vs Missouri Average
How does Columbia's crime rate compare to the Missouri state average?
| Metric | Columbia | Missouri Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.1 | 679.8 | -48.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,317.5 | 2,941.8 | -21.2% |
| Murder Rate | 10.0 | 12.9 | -22.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,666.6 | 3,621.5 | -26.4% |
Columbia Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Columbia, Missouri.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 130,354 | 2,666.6 | 349.1 | 2,317.5 |
| 2023 | 129,602 | 2,898.9 | 387.3 | 2,511.5 |
| 2022 | 127,862 | 3,085.4 | 469.3 | 2,616.1 |
| 2021 | 126,418 | 3,012.2 | 510.2 | 2,502.0 |
| 2020 | 124,829 | 3,149.9 | 458.2 | 2,691.7 |
| 2019 | 125,017 | 2,915.6 | 321.6 | 2,594.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia, Missouri safe?
Columbia has a safety score of 51/100. With a total crime rate of 2,666.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Columbia is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Columbia, Missouri?
According to FBI data for 2024, Columbia has a violent crime rate of 349.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,317.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Columbia compare to the national average?
Columbia's total crime rate of 2,666.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 130,354.
What types of crime are most common in Columbia?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Columbia include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Columbia safe to visit?
Like any city, Columbia has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 51/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.