Columbus homicides hit 16-year low in 2025
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Columbus' 2025 homicide count was its lowest in 16 years, continuing a trend of decline following a pandemic-era peak.
Why it matters: The suspected murders of a Weinland Park couple on Dec. 30 have placed national attention on our city, and big-city crime remains a political lightning rod.
Yes, but: Public perception of violent crime doesn't always match broader data.
The big picture: Columbus' statistics mirror a nationwide trend, with local violent crime as a whole also dropping.
- The U.S. appears to have had its largest one-year drop in murders ever recorded, according to a preliminary analysis by crime stats expert Jeff Asher.
- The country's mass killings also fell in 2025, reaching their lowest level since 2006, and other major crimes are also down.
Between the lines: President Trump has prioritized cracking down on violent crime in his second term, though there is no clear evidence linking his policies to the broader decline, which started in 2021.
Zoom in: Multiple factors are contributing locally, Columbus police spokesperson Joseph Albert tells Axios.
- A new "non-fatal shooting team" is keeping more potential repeat offenders and firearms off the streets, and homicide detectives are also working in teams.
- Better relationships with "community partners" are helping and leading to more tips.
- Technology advancements are assisting officers in solving a variety of crimes.
By the numbers: The division's homicide solve rate was 83% in 2025, Albert says.
The other side: The unsolved Weinland Park deaths and other shocking cases, such as a mother reportedly killing her 3-year-old on New Year's Eve, show that challenges remain.
- "One homicide is too many," Mayor Andrew Ginther told the Dispatch.
What we're watching: City officials are concerned about an increase in domestic violence homicides, they told reporters last month.