Is Cartersville or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cartersville is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 42/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 1,950 per 100,000 versus 2,844 for Columbus — 31% lower. Cartersville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cartersville has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 7.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cartersville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cartersville, GA
Columbus, GA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cartersville | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,949.7 | 2,843.9 | -894.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.3 | 608.3 | -346.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.9 | 12.9 | -9.0 |
| Rape Rate | 54.8 | 25.4 | +29.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 39.2 | 50.7 | -11.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 164.4 | 514.8 | -350.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,687.4 | 2,235.6 | -548.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 113.5 | 353.6 | -240.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,483.8 | 1,635.8 | -152.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 90.0 | 246.2 | -156.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cartersville or Columbus safer?
Cartersville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,950 per 100K vs 2,844 for Columbus — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cartersville has a violent crime rate of 262.3 per 100K while Columbus has 608.3. Cartersville has lower violent crime.
About Cartersville, GA
Cartersville, the seat of Bartow County, is a city in northwest Georgia known for its proximity to Red Top Mountain State Park. Home to the Booth Western Art Museum, it sits along the Etowah River and I-75. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 25,543, Cartersville has a total crime rate of 1,949.7 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.