Is Columbus or Lawrenceville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrenceville is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 28/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,497 per 100,000 versus 2,844 for Columbus — 12% lower. Columbus has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Lawrenceville has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Columbus is 6.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Columbus — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrenceville — 3-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, GA
Lawrenceville, GA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Columbus | Lawrenceville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,843.9 | 2,496.8 | +347.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 608.3 | 324.1 | +284.1 |
| Murder Rate | 12.9 | 9.6 | +3.3 |
| Rape Rate | 25.4 | 38.5 | -13.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.7 | 51.4 | -0.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.8 | 224.7 | +290.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,235.6 | 2,172.7 | +63.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 353.6 | 398.0 | -44.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,635.8 | 1,643.1 | -7.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 246.2 | 131.6 | +114.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Lawrenceville safer?
Lawrenceville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,497 per 100K vs 2,844 for Columbus — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Columbus has a violent crime rate of 608.3 per 100K while Lawrenceville has 324.1. Lawrenceville has lower violent crime.
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.
About Lawrenceville, GA
Lawrenceville, the county seat of Gwinnett, dates back to 1821 and is home to the Aurora Theatre. It's a rapidly growing exurb northeast of Atlanta, with a diverse population of over 30,000. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 31,160, Lawrenceville has a total crime rate of 2,496.8 per 100,000 residents.