Is Columbus or Waycross Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Columbus is safer than Waycross (Safety Score 22/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100,000 versus 6,069 for Waycross — 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.
Columbus — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waycross — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus, GA
Waycross, GA
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 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbus or Waycross safer?
Columbus is safer with a total crime rate of 2,844 per 100K vs 6,069 for Waycross — 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.