Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, NE Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 24,595
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Columbus, Nebraska Safe?
Columbus has a safety score of 81/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,012.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Columbus ranks #2 out of 16 cities in Nebraska and #781 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 74th percentile for safety — safer than 74% of US cities.
Year over year, Columbus's total crime rate decreased by 32.4%, with violent crime declining 20.3%.
Columbus Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 21 | 85.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 11 | 44.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 9 | 36.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 228 | 927.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 23 | 93.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 189 | 768.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 16 | 65.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Columbus vs Nebraska Average
How does Columbus's crime rate compare to the Nebraska state average?
| Metric | Columbus | Nebraska Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 85.4 | 312.5 | -72.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 927.0 | 2,466.0 | -62.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.6 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,012.4 | 2,778.5 | -63.6% |
Columbus Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Columbus, Nebraska.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24,595 | 1,012.4 | 85.4 | 927.0 |
| 2023 | 24,256 | 1,496.5 | 107.2 | 1,389.4 |
| 2022 | 24,158 | 1,308.1 | 78.7 | 1,229.4 |
| 2021 | 23,727 | 1,041.0 | 92.7 | 948.3 |
| 2020 | 23,597 | 1,402.7 | 114.4 | 1,288.3 |
| 2019 | 23,406 | 1,653.4 | 119.6 | 1,533.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus, Nebraska safe?
Columbus has a safety score of 81/100. With a total crime rate of 1,012.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Columbus is relatively safe compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Columbus, Nebraska?
According to FBI data for 2024, Columbus has a violent crime rate of 85.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 927.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Columbus compare to the national average?
Columbus's total crime rate of 1,012.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 24,595.
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 81/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.