Is Americus or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Americus (Safety Score 22/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100,000 versus 5,585 for Americus — 49% lower. Americus has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Columbus has a 63% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 12.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Americus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Americus, GA
Columbus, GA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Americus | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,585.2 | 2,843.9 | +2,741.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,653.7 | 608.3 | +1,045.4 |
| Murder Rate | 32.2 | 12.9 | +19.2 |
| Rape Rate | 64.4 | 25.4 | +39.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 90.1 | 50.7 | +39.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,467.1 | 514.8 | +952.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,931.5 | 2,235.6 | +1,695.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 611.3 | 353.6 | +257.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,133.7 | 1,635.8 | +1,497.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 186.6 | 246.2 | -59.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Americus or Columbus safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100K vs 5,585 for Americus — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Americus has a violent crime rate of 1,653.7 per 100K while Columbus has 608.3. Columbus has lower violent crime.
About Americus, GA
Americus, Georgia, in Sumter County, is a historic city known for being home to Habitat for Humanity International. This South Georgia community has a population of around 16,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 15,541, Americus has a total crime rate of 5,585.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Columbus, GA
Columbus, Georgia, a city on the Chattahoochee River, is home to Fort Moore, a major US Army installation. Its population of over 200,000 residents enjoys a vibrant arts scene and a rich industrial heritage. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 201,061, Columbus has a total crime rate of 2,843.9 per 100,000 residents.