Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Columbia, SC has a Safety Score of 8/100 — higher crime than 92% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,720 of 2,971 US cities and #28 of 40 in South Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Columbia, South Carolina Safe?
Columbia, South Carolina, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Broad and Saluda Rivers, forming the Congaree. Home to the University of South Carolina, it's a vibrant city with a significant student population.
Columbia has a safety score of 8/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Columbia ranks #28 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #2720 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 8th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 92% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Columbia is aggravated assault, at 590.1 per 100K — 1.8x the national average.
Year over year, Columbia's total crime rate decreased by 5.2%, with violent crime rising 1.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Columbia Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,113 | 769.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 14 | 9.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 89 | 61.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 157 | 108.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 853 | 590.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 4,673 | 3,232.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 718 | 496.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,407 | 2,356.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 548 | 379.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Columbia vs South Carolina Average
How does Columbia's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | Columbia | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 769.9 | 493.6 | +56.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,232.6 | 2,669.0 | +21.1% |
| Murder Rate | 9.7 | 8.0 | +20.4% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,002.5 | 3,162.7 | +26.6% |
Columbia Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Columbia, South Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 144,559 | 4,002.5 | 769.9 | 3,232.6 |
| 2023 | 141,497 | 4,223.4 | 756.9 | 3,466.5 |
| 2022 | 137,768 | 3,457.3 | 599.6 | 2,857.7 |
| 2021 | 132,255 | 4,918.5 | 728.1 | 4,190.4 |
| 2020 | 131,777 | 5,334.8 | 760.4 | 4,574.4 |
| 2019 | 133,790 | 6,027.4 | 775.1 | 5,252.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia, South Carolina safe?
Columbia has a safety score of 8/100, meaning it has less crime than about 8% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Columbia is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Columbia, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Columbia has a violent crime rate of 769.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,232.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Columbia compare to the national average?
Columbia's total crime rate of 4,002.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 144,559 residents.
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 8/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.