How Does Columbus' 2021 Homicide Numbers Compare To Other Regional Cities

COLUMBUS, GA- Crime and specifically murders are a major concern for residents living in or frequenting the City of Columbus. As 2021's murder rate has spiked and started out with two dozen deaths classified as homicides being reported in the city limits of Columbus, it makes many wonder how does Columbus' homicide rates compare to those of other regional cities of similar size?

As of Monday, April 12, 2021, the City of Columbus, GA., has experienced a total of 24 deaths that have been classified as homicides. The number stands out as Columbus recorded 46 homicides for the entire year of 2020. Just 14 weeks or 102 days into the year 2021, Columbus has already reached halfway to that mark. Many speculate that 2021 may turn out to be the deadliest year in the City of Columbus as data shows Columbus is averaging a homicide once every 4.3 days.

While 2020 served as a costly year for homicides in Columbus, the city was not alone in seeing a record number of homicides. Several cities of similar size to Columbus saw a sharp spike in homicides last year. However how are they starting off this year. Here is what we found through a search of records for some nearby communities.

MACON, GA

Located in the Heart of Georgia, Macon is a city that shares several similarities to Columbus. Macon-Bibb County is a consolidated government with a population of 153,095 residents based on 2020 estimates. The city is slightly smaller than Columbus' 196,000 residents. In 2020 Macon saw one of it's deadliest year on record for homicides. The middle Georgia city recorded a total of 50 homicides last year, which was the deadliest year in the city since 1992, when Macon recorded 53 homicides.

So how is 2021 treating Macon? According to public data as of Monday the City of Macon has recorded a total of 16 homicides. Macon recorded its last homicide on Monday, April 12, 2021, when 48-year-old Parrish Forester was found fatally shot in Macon. The data shows Macon currently has eight less homicides than Columbus.

ALBANY, GA

Albany located about 80 miles southeast of Columbus is about half of the size of Columbus with a population of just under 74,000. Despite its modest population the city is often seen as one of the most dangerous places in Georgia due to a high number of homicides for its population.

In 2020, Albany recorded a total of 19 homicides. 2021 is showing optimistic signs in the city as the city has recorded a total of six homicides this year. Albany recorded its last homicide on Sunday, March 21, 2021. The shooting claimed the life of a 19-year-old male and left a female victim injured.

SAVANNAH, GA

Savannah, one of Georgia's most historic and beautiful cities is located about three hours east of Columbus. The coastal tourist city of just under 146,000 residents sits in a county of nearly a quarter million people. The Savannah Police Department reports in 2020 the city investigated a total of 32 homicides. That number represented a 33 percent increase in Savannah homicides over 23 seen in 2019.

2021 has resulted in homicides in Savannah, but as one of Georgia's largest cities the city has recorded one of the lowest total number of homicides this year so far among the states population centers. Data from the Savannah Police Department shows as of the week ending on April 3, 2021, there have been a total of nine homicides in Savannah. Weekly data published by Savannah PD shows the city has average about one homicide per week in 2021 compared to one every 4.3 days in Columbus.

ATLANTA, GA

Atlanta, the largest-city in Georgia with a population of slightly over half a million people and a metro area of nearly six million, Atlanta is unlike any other city in the state. Atlanta finds itself often not categorized with other cities in the state but rather the nations largest cities or even international comparisons. However, like many big cities Atlanta carries its problems which does include homicides.

In 2020, the Atlanta Police Department investigated a total of 157 deaths that were classified as homicides. Sadly 2021 is shaping up to be another deadly year in Atlanta. The Atlanta Police Department releases weekly data that reports weekly crime stats for the city. The last data published for the week ending as of April 3, 2021 shows there have been 35 homicides in Atlanta in 2021 so far. The number is up by 13 homicides over the same period ending last year, when Atlanta had only recorded 22 homicides.

BIRMINGHAM, AL

Birmingham, which is Alabama's largest city with a population of just under 210,000 people has long been known for its spiking level of gun violence and homicides. In 2020 the city experienced a total of 122 homicides, 15 of which were classified as justifiable. 2021 is showing signs of a possible violent year unfolding in Alabama's largest city as well.

Data available as of Saturday, April 10, 2021 shows Birmingham has recorded 31 homicides in 2021. The data was released after a violent burst erupted across the city of Birmingham. The city recorded a total of nine homicides in a ten day span in various parts of the city. Birmingham closed the month of March out with only 21 homicides, but has seen that number spike in recent days. Records show that as of April 10, 2020, Birmingham Police had reported 26 homicides.

Jefferson County, which is where Birmingham is located has recorded a total of 54 homicides as of Saturday morning. Jefferson County has a population of just under 659,000 residents.

MONTGOMERY, AL

The final city that we pulled data from was Montgomery, Alabama. No city on the list is more compatible with Columbus than Montgomery. The two communities are similar in population and other demographics including poverty and income levels. The population of Montgomery is estimated at 198,525 according to 2019 census data.

Much like Columbus, Montgomery suffered a record breaking year of homicides in 2020. Alabama's capitol city recorded 68 homicides. In 2021, the Montgomery Police Department has investigated 20 deaths classified as homicides. The last death as of the time we pulled records was on April 3, 2021. 30-year-old Jamarcus Jordan was fatally shot on Saturday, April 3, 2021 in Montgomery.

FBI UCR data for murders in Columbus each year often differs from the number of reported homicides in Columbus. The Columbus Police Department which investigates homicides will often report a lower number of murders than the number of homicides each year. The reason for this is that a homicide is defined as the taking of a life by another human. Homicides fall into several categories including various degrees of murder, but can also be categorized as involuntary or voluntary manslaughter. Police only report crimes that are classified as murder to the FBI for use on the UCR annually.

Columbus has seen a spike a violence over recent years with the number of murders and homicide showing a trend of increasing on a continuous basis over the past few years. However, looking at the data of comparable sized cities Columbus is not much different than many similar sized cities, which have all seen a recent spike in the number of homicides.

As of Monday, April 12, 2021, Columbus had recorded 24 deaths that have been classified as homicides.