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Columbus, GA vs Waycross, GA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Columbus crime rate · Waycross crime rate

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Is Columbus, GA or Waycross, GA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Columbus, GA is safer than Waycross, GA (Safety Score 22/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100,000 versus 6,069 for Waycross, GA — 53% lower. Columbus has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Columbus has a 57% lower rate.

Note: Columbus is 14.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Columbus, GA?

Columbus — 4-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Waycross — 4-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Columbus, GA

Columbus, GA
Safety Score 22/100
Coverage 201,061
Total Crime Rate 2,843.9
Category Wins 6/7

Waycross, GA

Waycross, GA
Safety Score 2/100
Coverage 13,644
Total Crime Rate 6,068.6
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Columbus Waycross Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,843.9 6,068.6 -3,224.7
Violent Crime Rate 608.3 1,040.8 -432.5
Murder Rate 12.9 7.3 +5.6
Rape Rate 25.4 109.9 -84.6
Robbery Rate 50.7 117.3 -66.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 514.8 798.9 -284.1
Property Crime Rate 2,235.6 5,027.9 -2,792.2
Burglary Rate 353.6 564.4 -210.7
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,635.8 4,163.0 -2,527.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 246.2 300.5 -54.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Columbus, GA to Waycross, GA?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Columbus or Waycross safer?

Columbus, GA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100K vs 6,069 for Waycross, GA — a 53% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Columbus has a violent crime rate of 608.3 per 100K while Waycross has 1,040.8. Columbus 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 Waycross, GA

Waycross, a city in Ware County, Georgia, is known as the "Gateway to the Okefenokee." This South Georgia community, with a population around 13,000, developed as a significant railroad hub. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 13,644, Waycross has a total crime rate of 6,068.6 per 100,000 residents.

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