February 13, 2025 | Criminal Defense
There are two ways you can learn about the safest and riskiest areas in a city like Columbia, South Carolina. For one, you could reside there for years, explore its various neighborhoods, and eventually come to discover the areas of town you should avoid.
The more pragmatic alternative is to use publicly available data. By analyzing the places where crimes have occurred in the past, it is possible to identify areas in which you should exercise greater caution. The more crimes that have happened in a neighborhood in the past, the more likely it is that wrongdoings will happen there in the future as well.
General Columbia Crime Statistics
Columbia is generally considered to have a higher crime rate than other cities of similar size. In 2022, the city’s violent crime rate was 599.6 violent crimes per 100,000 members of the population, placing it higher than the rates in Raleigh, Miami, and Virginia Beach, as well as the country’s national average itself.
Similarly, Columbia’s property crime rate was higher than that of those cities and the national average, at 2857.7 property crimes per 100,000 residents.
3 Areas To Avoid in Columbia
When considering the places where more violent offenses, such as homicides, aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, and robberies, occur throughout Columbia, these three areas stand out as being hotbeds of activity:
1. University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina’s campus saw multiple incidents of simple and aggravated assault in 2024. Reported crimes included six robberies, two sexual assaults, and two aggravated assaults. The areas around Gervais Street and Huger Street each saw multiple incidents throughout the year.
2. West Columbia
Head west across the Congaree River, and you will soon enter the area of West Columbia. The area between Meeting Street and Sunset Boulevard saw dozens of incidents involving simple and aggravated assaults. The amount of reported crime remains high in the area until you travel west of I-26.
3. Near Colonial Drive and West Beltline Boulevard
Several homicides took place in Columbia in 2024. However, the intersection of Colonial Drive and West Beltline Boulevard, northeast of the University of South Carolina’s campus, was the only spot that witnessed multiple homicides. One incident occurred in a parking area in February 2024, and the other at a service station in May of the same year.
Safer Areas of Columbia
It is important to remember that crime can happen anywhere in a city like Columbia. You should always be aware of your surroundings, hide valuables out of sight, and travel with others whenever possible.
Nonetheless, the following areas saw fewer incidents of reported crime in 2024 than other parts of the city:
- Shandon, east of the University of South Carolina campus
- Cayce and Brookwood, west of the university campus
- Melrose Heights
- Hollywood Rose Hill
- Olympia-Granby
Each of these areas saw significantly fewer assaults of all types and robberies, but traveling just a short distance outside these neighborhoods would place you in areas with higher numbers of reported crimes.
How To Enjoy Columbia Safely
Columbia’s higher-than-average crime rate should cause everyone in the city to take pause and consider their safety.
Whether you are visiting Columbia or call the city your home, it is beneficial to know where you are more likely to be victimized. An awareness of the potential dangers will help you plan your daily activities, outings with family and friends, and where you shop for your necessities.
Contact the Columbia Criminal Defense Attorneys at Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Columbia criminal defense attorneys at Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers, for a consultation. We serve all areas in Columbia, Dentsville, Blythewood, Irmo, Cayce, Oak Grove, Lexington, Red Bank, Camden, Lugoff, and throughout South Carolina.
Visit our convenient location:
Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers – Columbia Office
1333 Main St Suite 512, Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 200-2000
