If you are thinking about visiting Columbus and have some qualms about the safety of the city, we got you covered.
Lets deep dive into the some crime statistics and crime rates and see how safe or dangerous Columbus really is.
What is Columbus, Ohio’s Crime Rate?
In 2020 Columbus reported 5,065 violent crimes and had a crime rate of 557.11 per 100,000 residents. Columbus’ crime rate is on 1.4 times greater than the national average.
Here’s a table showing you the crime rate over the last 4 years.
Population
Violent Crime
Columbus Crime Rate
2017
881,763
4,578
519.19
2018
892,533
4,596
514.94
2019
898,553
4,601
512.05
2020
909,156
5,065
557.11
Does Columbus, Ohio have a high crime rate?
Columbus does not have a high crime rate. It’s crime rate is a bit higher than the national average, but well below the crime rate of an unsafe city. Columbus has a similar crime rate to cities like New York, Austin and Portland.
Here’s a scale to give you some perspective on Columbus’ crime rate:
Columbus’s crime rate breakdown
Violent Crime Rate
In 2020, Columbus reported 5,065 violent crimes: 174 homicides, 816 rapes, 1,796 robberies and 2,279 aggravated assaults.
You have a 1 in 179 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Columbus.
Here’s a map showing you how violent crime has trended in Columbus over a 11 year period.
*Violent crimes include; homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults.
Columbus’s Murder Rate
In 2021, Columbus reported 204 murders and had a murder rate of 22.52 per 100,000 residents. 204 murders is the most homicides ever recorded in a single year in Columbus.
Columbus’ murder rate is 3.5 times greater than the national average.
You have a 1 in 4,440 chance of becoming a victim of murder in Columbus.
Here’s a map showing you how murders have trended over the last 12 years in Columbus.
Here’s a map showing you the locations of all the homicides in Columbus in 2021
Columbus Property Crime Rate
In 2020 Columbus reported 28,530 property crimes and had a property crime rate of 3,149.88 per 100,000 residents.
Columbus’ property crime rate is 1.6 times greater the national average.
You have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Columbus.
Here’s a map showing you how property crime has trended in Columbus over a 11 year period. Property crime has been steadily decreasing in Columbus.
*Property crimes include; burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson
Columbus’s crime rate vs other cities in Ohio (2020)
Here’s a graph showing you how Columbus’s crime rate compares to other cities in Ohio. Columbus had the 7th highest crime rate of all the cities listed in 2020.
Here’s a list of the top 20 most dangerous cities in the United States ranked by violent crime rates. Columbus’s crime rate is 4.3 times less than Memphis, the most dangerous city on the list.
How are Columbus’s crime rates calculated?
Crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000.
For example, in 2020 there were 5,065 violent crimes in Columbus and the population was 905,748. This equals a murder rate of 4.09 per 100,000 residents.
Columbus’s Crime Statistics
Here’s a breakdown of all the crimes in the city for 2020 and 2021
In 2020, Columbus reported 33,595 total crimes, which is a 3% decrease over 2019.
In 2020, Columbus reported 5,065 violent crimes, which is a 10% increase over 2019.
In 2020, Columbus reported 174 murders, which is a 102% increase over 2019.
In 2020, Columbus reported 28,530 property crimes, which is a 5% decrease over 2019.
How bad is crime in Columbus?
Statistically speaking, crime in Columbus is not bad for a city of its size. Violent crimes have increased in the city but it is still relatively low compared to other major metropolitan cities. The area of concern is murder. Murder is at its highest level ever in Columbus. Between 2019 and 2021, murders have increased by a staggering 137%!
Neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio to avoid
As a general rule, just about everything inside the red line is not great. There are actually a few decent neighborhoods inside marked by green (Bexley, German Village, and Westgate)
Is Downtown Columbus safe?
Downtown Columbus is generally a safe area. The area is well patrolled between local police and Capital Crossroads.
There is a good number of homeless people in the area but they are pretty harmless for the most part.
Be careful not to wander too far outside the downtown area, as it will land you in not so great neighborhoods.
Is the public transportation in Columbus safe?
The public transportation system in Columbus is handled by the COTA and it offers many routes that interweave throughout the entire city.
The COTA is generally a safe option to use during normal commuting hours (7am – 6pm), however we recommend that you use a taxi or ride sharing service outside of those hours.
Is Columbus safe at night?
Columbus is generally safe at night as long as you stay out of the problem areas listed above. Be aware that streets and squares that are perfectly safe to visit in the daytime can be questionable and sketchy at night. Stay in well lit and populated places at night and avoid walking through desolate areas.
What do residents of Columbus say about it’s safety?
"The east side of Columbus and Linden may be the most unsafe areas in Columbus."
"I don’t think there is one single neighborhood that is really dangerous enough that you should go out of your way to avoid."
"Columbus is not dangerous, however the areas immediately east, south, and west of downtown should be avoided at night."
"Columbus has its problem areas just like any other cities however they are nowhere near as bad as Southside Chicago or Detroit."
Tips to stay safe while visiting Columbus, Ohio
Learn the layout of the city and figure out which areas you should avoid. Plan your trip and book your accommodations accordingly.
Save the sight seeing for the daytime. At night the situation can drastically change in certain neighborhoods.
Always be aware of your surroundings. That means to keep your ears and eyes open. Keep your headphones off and don’t scroll aimlessly through your phone.
Always listen to your gut and trust your instincts. If a situation feels unsafe or if you feel uncomfortable, even if you don’t know why, leave. Don’t stick around to find out.
Map your route before you leave. Don’t just jump in the car, set the GPS and drive. You need to know where you are going and what you are going through.
Don’t walk by yourself at night. There is safety in numbers.
Don’t leave any valuables in your car.
Always park in a well-lit or secure area.
Avoid Goodale Park at night.
Is Columbus safe?
Statistically speaking, Columbus is a moderately safe city. It’s crime rate of 557.11 per 100,000 residents is a bit higher than the national average, but doesn’t enter the ‘unsafe’ territory.
Facts about Columbus
The population of Columbus in 2020 was 909,156 and is the 14th most populous city in the United States.
The city covers a land area of 220.11 sq mi square miles.
The median income for a household in the city was $54,902. The per capita income for the city was $30,056.
19.1% of the population live below the poverty line.
The median home value in Columbus is $225K in 2022.
In 2022, the average rent for a Columbus 2-bedroom apartment is $1,125.
89.8% of residents 25 and older is a high school graduate. 36.8% of residents 25 and older has a bachelors degree or higher.
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