Violent
Property
Total
West Columbia, SC Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 18,591
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is West Columbia, South Carolina Safe?
West Columbia has a safety score of 5/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 5,185.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
West Columbia ranks #36 out of 40 cities in South Carolina and #2871 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 3rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 97% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in West Columbia is murder, at 16.1 per 100K — 2.6x the national average.
Year over year, West Columbia's total crime rate increased by 0.6%, with violent crime rising 15.1%.
West Columbia Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 139 | 747.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 3 | 16.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 9 | 48.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 14 | 75.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 113 | 607.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 825 | 4,437.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 69 | 371.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 690 | 3,711.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 66 | 355.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
West Columbia vs South Carolina Average
How does West Columbia's crime rate compare to the South Carolina state average?
| Metric | West Columbia | South Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 747.7 | 493.6 | +51.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,437.6 | 2,669.0 | +66.3% |
| Murder Rate | 16.1 | 8.0 | +100.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 5,185.3 | 3,162.7 | +64.0% |
West Columbia Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for West Columbia, South Carolina.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18,591 | 5,185.3 | 747.7 | 4,437.6 |
| 2023 | 17,707 | 5,156.2 | 649.5 | 4,506.7 |
| 2022 | 17,581 | 6,279.5 | 733.8 | 5,545.8 |
| 2021 | 18,257 | 6,189.4 | 728.5 | 5,460.9 |
| 2020 | 18,143 | 8,813.3 | 782.7 | 8,030.7 |
| 2019 | 17,986 | 7,372.4 | 706.1 | 6,666.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Columbia, South Carolina safe?
West Columbia has a safety score of 5/100. With a total crime rate of 5,185.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, West Columbia is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in West Columbia, South Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, West Columbia has a violent crime rate of 747.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 4,437.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does West Columbia compare to the national average?
West Columbia's total crime rate of 5,185.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 18,591.
What types of crime are most common in West Columbia?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in West Columbia include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is West Columbia safe to visit?
Like any city, West Columbia has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 5/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.