As the state capital of Ohio, Columbus is a hip, innovative, and ideal city for young adults and has become one of the top spaces for art and the tech industry. A few iconic spaces within Columbus include the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. But is Columbus Ohio safe?
Now, we understand the importance of finding a neighborhood that meets your needs while also being a safe place to call home. Whether you’re a young adult just starting on your own, a family looking to plant your roots, or a senior looking to relocate, you deserve to find a safe neighborhood before deciding to live in Columbus Ohio. Luckily there are plenty of safe neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio for you to choose from. These are the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio.
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Is Columbus Ohio Safe? Columbus Safety & Crime Statistics
Is Columbus Ohio safe? While Columbus has higher crime rates than the national average, that doesn’t mean there aren’t safe places within the city. With a wide variety of low-crime and family-friendly neighborhoods, you can easily find your ideal area in Columbus, OH.
City officials have worked hard to reduce gun violence within Columbus, which has helped lower the homicide rate by 35%. Yes, the total crime rate per 100k people is 69.3% higher than the national average, but you can still find plenty of safe neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio. Click here to check out the local Columbus crime statistics in the areas you’re considering, and check our complete Columbus crime rate article. In the meantime, here is a breakdown of the main two categories: property and violent crimes.
Property Crime in Columbus
For property crime, Columbus has a rate of 3,484 per 100k people. The majority comes from theft, then burglary, and then motor vehicle theft.
- Columbus total property crime rate: 31,609
- Columbus larceny-theft rate (total per year): 20,028 compared to the entire state of Ohio at 151,994
- Columbus burglary rate (total per year): 4,288 compared to the entire state of Ohio at 30,105
- Columbus motor vehicle theft rate (total per year): 7,293 compared to the entire state of Ohio at 27,566
Violent Crime in Columbus
Columbus does have a rate of 450 per 100k people for violent crime, which is down from 503 in 2020. The majority comes from robbery and aggravated assault, and murder or rape is well below the rest of Ohio and even the national average.
- Columbus violent crime rate per 100k: 450
- Columbus murder rate (total per year): 127 compared to the entire state of Ohio at 718
- Columbus rape rate (total per year): 1,005 compared to the entire state of Ohio at 5,692
- Columbus robbery rate (total per year): 1,275 compared to the entire state of Ohio at 6,243
- Columbus aggravated assault rate (total per year): 1,675 compared to the crime rate in Ohio at 21,857
While these numbers might seem high, just like any other city, there are high crime areas, yet plenty of safe places too. A lot of the crime is concentrated in areas of Downtown Columbus where gang activity is higher.
Safest Neighborhoods in Columbus
What are the safest areas in Columbus Ohio? Finding a low-crime area and whether it’s kid-friendly is essential for most people before they relocate. Here are the top 7 safest neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio!
Grandview Heights | One Of The Best Places To Live In Columbus
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- Population: 8,634
- Grandview Heights crime: 2,411 crimes per 100,000 people (48% lower than Columbus average)
- Median home price: $450,000
- Average rent: $1,521
- Great For: Young professionals and families
Grandview Heights, a.k.a. Grandview, as the locals call it, is one of the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio, and provides a high-quality lifestyle to its residents. It’s a small neighborhood with 8,634 residents, but one of the best places to call home within Franklin County, OH. One of the big attractions in this neighborhood is Wyman Woods Park.
Grandview is a family-friendly neighborhood that offers an urban lifestyle while being a safe place to call home. If you’re looking for one of the best places in Columbus to call home, then living in Grandview Heights is the place for you.
Bexley | Historic & Community Filled Neighborhood
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- Population: 12,887
- Bexley Crime: 791 crimes per 100,000 people (133% lower than Columbus average)
- Median home price: $625,000
- Average rent: $1,189
- Great For: Young adults, families, and retirees
If you’re searching for the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio, then look no further than Bexley. Known as a suburban city, Bexley has 12,887 residents, with a median age of 35 years old and a high median household income of $138,929. The schooling is excellent and has a wide variety of public and private education options. In this suburb, you’ll find great schools such as Capital University and Bexley High School. For the most part, Bexley is an affordable neighborhood to live in, but what makes it cost higher than the national average is purchasing a house, so plan accordingly.
When it comes to downtime, parks are big in Ohio, and the neighborhood of Bexley is no different. Jeffrey Park and Schneider Park Athletic Field are the two main places people will go to hang out after work or on the weekend. If it’s too hot to be outside, you can find people going to a local landmark, the Drexel Theatre.
If you’re considering a move to the beautiful neighborhood of Bexley, here is an ultimate moving guide with everything you need to know.
Italian Village | One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio
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- Population: 2,930
- Italian Village crime: 1,574 crimes per 100,000 people (85% lower than Columbus average)
- Median home price: $445,000
- Average rent: $1,688
- Great For: Families and people who appreciate the historic nature of the neighborhood
Established in 1862 as one of the first suburbs in the area, this historic and family-friendly community is one of the best places to settle down in Columbus, OH. Italian Village is one of the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio that is close to the downtown area. Italian Village is only 1.5 miles away from Downtown Columbus.
The city is on a mission to preserve the history of this beautiful community, and it is an officially designated historic district. One of the most famous events in the Italian Village is the Columbus Italian Festival, which takes place during the fall, where there is live music and a parade.
Worthington | One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio, With an Excellent School System
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- Population: 14,629
- Worthington crime: 1,694 crimes per 100,000 people (79.6% lower than Columbus average)
- Median home price: $428,000
- Average rent: $1,469
- Great For: Families and retirees
As a northern suburb in Columbus, Worthington has plenty of iconic places to visit, but a few of the most popular include the Ohio Railway Museum and Olentangy Park. With the median household income sitting at $104,362, most of the residents are owners of a home. Worthington is not only one of the safest neighborhoods in Columbus, but it is also a great area for families to live due to the amazing schools. The Worthington City School District is named by Niche as the 7th-best school district in Columbus.
When it comes to jobs, the workforce is primarily white-collar jobs. These can include position titles such as lawyers, accountants, computer programmers, consultants, and company management. Worthington is one of the best and safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio, and if you plan on moving to Worthington, know that it’s well worth the relocation.
Brewery District | Converted Victorian Breweries
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- Population: 775
- Brewery District crime: 1,574 crimes per 100,000 people (85% lower than Columbus average)
- Median home price: $487,000
- Average rent: $1,564
- Great For: People who love exploring the outdoors, families, and young adults
The Brewery District is a hub for nightlife and is easily one of the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio. They have everything from converted Victorian breweries, gastropubs, farm-to-table restaurants, live music, dancing, and the well-known Scioto Audubon Metro Park.
It’s one of the best places to live, especially if you love hitting the town at night or spending time outside! The Brewery District is a great place for college students and young professionals due to the abundance of entertainment options in the area. Popular apartment complexes in this area include Brewers Yard Apartments and Liberty Place.
Victorian Village | One of the Safest Areas in Columbus Ohio
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- Population: 6,940
- Victorian Village crime: 1,574 crimes per 100,000 people (85% lower than Columbus average)
- Median home price: $421,000
- Average rent: $1,688
- Great For: Families, individuals who are interested in art and entertainment, and young adults
When it comes to the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio, Victorian Village is at the top of the list. With a crime rate that is 85% lower than the Columbus average, it’s a wonderful place for kids, young professionals, and retirees alike. Although this area is only 2 miles from Downtown Columbus, it has a cozy, small-town feel. You’re also just steps away from other popular neighborhoods like German Village and the Arena District.
Annual music festivals at Goodale Park, contemporary art shows at the Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art, and the historic architecture make the Victorian Village unique. This neighborhood is considered walkable, so you can easily access areas such as grocery stores, restaurants, and bars without having to go far.
Harrison West | One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio, With a Rich History
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- Population: 1,347
- Harrison West crime: 1,500 crimes per 100,000 people (89% lower than Columbus average)
- Median home price: $505,000
- Average rent: $1,652
- Great For: Young adults, families, and working professionals
Harrison West is one of the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio. Whether you’re a young adult, a working professional, or currently raising a family, Harrison West is affordable and perfect for all age groups.
Harrison West has some of the best public schools in Ohio and is considered a safe neighborhood that consistently focuses on creating a community feel by beautifying the area. In 1975, Harrison West was added to the National Register of Historic Places and is located northwest of downtown Columbus.
Neighborhoods To Avoid In Columbus
Now that we know all of the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio, which ones are best to avoid? Here are the five dangerous neighborhoods in Columbus:
- Milo Gorgan: With a total crime rate of 5,400 per 100k people, Milo Gorgan is 130% higher for total crimes than the national average.
- Franklinton: Franklinton sits at 151% higher than the national average crime rate and has a total crime rate of 5,898 per 100k people. And your chances of being a victim of a crime is 1 in 14.
- South Linden: While the majority of the crimes taking place in South Linden are property crimes, they are still 145% higher than the national average, and they have a total crime rate of 5,753 per 100k people.
- Tri-South: With being 112% higher than the national average for crime, you can expect to be around 4,976 for total crimes per 100k people in Tri-South.
- North Central: North Central has a total crime rate of 5,329 per 100k people, and is 127% higher than the national average crime rate.
Map Of Safest Neighborhoods In Columbus Ohio
Safest Neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio FAQ
For a quick overview, here are some of the commonly asked questions about the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio.
Is Columbus Ohio Safe?
The short answer is yes! It is safe to live in Columbus, OH. While there might be areas to avoid that are common in any city, don’t let that prevent you from moving to such a vibrant and beautiful community.
Is Downtown Columbus Safe?
Downtown Columbus is generally safe. There are a few small areas to avoid, but safety is typically not a problem here. Downtown Columbus is often full of people, so there’s always someone to look out for you.
What Parts Of Columbus Should I Avoid?
You should avoid high-crime neighborhoods such as Milo Gorgan, Franklinton, South Linden, Tri-South, and North Central.
What Are The Safest Neighborhoods In Columbus Ohio?
The top seven safest neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio, include Grandview Heights, Bexley, Italian Village, Worthington, Brewery District, Victorian Village, and Harrison West. Some of the other safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio, not mentioned above, include Upper Arlington, New Albany, and German Village.
Are you thinking about living in Columbus, OH? Now you know all of the safest neighborhoods in Columbus Ohio to choose from! These top-rated neighborhoods are a perfect place to plant your roots because of their safe and family-friendly communities and opportunities for young professionals. When the time is right, Krupp Moving & Storage is here for you! With 15+ years of experience and our team of highly trained crew members, our Columbus movers will make your relocation seamless! Call us at (614) 892-9046 for a free quote!
