Hempstead County Crime & Safety

Hempstead County, Arkansas

Safety Score

9/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2879.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

658.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2220.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

9/100

Higher = safer

State avg 24/100

State Safety Rank

#55

of 75 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Hempstead County, Arkansas

Crime Rates Exceed the National Benchmark

Hempstead County has a total crime rate of 2,879.7 per 100K, exceeding the national average of 2,385.5. It holds a safety score of 95.5 out of 100. This score reflects a moderate risk level relative to the rest of the country.

Slightly Under the State Safety Average

The county's safety score of 95.5 is just below the Arkansas average of 96.3. However, its total crime rate of 2,879.7 is higher than the state average of 2,326.8. Three law enforcement agencies provide the data that fuels these safety metrics.

Elevated Crime Compared to Howard County

Hempstead County reports significantly more crime than neighboring Howard County, which sits at 1,737.2 per 100K. Hempstead's rate of 2,879.7 represents a higher concentration of incidents in the immediate region. This disparity highlights different safety dynamics across county lines.

A Closer Look at Local Crime Types

Hempstead's violent crime rate of 658.8 per 100K is higher than the national 369.8 average. Property crime also outpaces the national average, reaching 2,220.9 per 100K. Residents should be aware that both categories show elevated levels of activity.

Building a Safer Home Environment

Given the higher-than-average property crime rate, securing your perimeter is a top priority. Motion-activated lighting and smart doorbells are effective tools for discouraging local theft. Keeping valuables out of sight from windows can also reduce the risk of burglary.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Hempstead County, AR?

Hempstead County has a total crime rate of 2879.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (658.8 per 100K) and property crimes (2220.9 per 100K).

Is Hempstead County, AR safe?

Hempstead County has a safety score of 9/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #55 out of 75 counties in Arkansas for safety (1 = safest).

How does Hempstead County crime compare to the Arkansas average?

What types of crime are most common in Hempstead County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Hempstead County?

Crime data for Hempstead County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Hempstead County?

Hempstead County has a safety score of 9/100, which is below the Arkansas average of 24/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.