Shawnee County Crime & Safety

Shawnee County, Kansas

Safety Score

4/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3740.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

741.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2998.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

4/100

Higher = safer

State avg 52/100

State Safety Rank

#103

of 105 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Shawnee County, Kansas

Crime Trends in Shawnee County

Shawnee County reports a total crime rate of 3,740.3 per 100K, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite these figures, the county maintains a safety score of 94.1 out of 100.

Shawnee vs the Kansas Average

The county's safety score of 94.1 falls below the Kansas average of 98.0. Its total crime rate is nearly triple the state average of 1,282.2 per 100K, reflecting the challenges of its urban center.

Urban Density Impacts Reporting

With 18 reporting agencies, Shawnee County tracks crime more granularly than its more rural neighbors. This high level of reporting contributes to a crime rate that exceeds many adjacent agricultural counties.

Property Crimes Lead Local Statistics

Property crime accounts for 2,998.5 incidents per 100K, while violent crime stays lower at 741.8. While both exceed national averages, residents are far more likely to experience theft than physical violence.

Prioritizing Property Security

Because property crime represents the majority of local incidents, home security systems are a vital deterrent. Installing smart cameras and motion-activated lighting helps protect homes against opportunistic theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Shawnee County, KS?

Shawnee County has a total crime rate of 3740.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (741.8 per 100K) and property crimes (2998.5 per 100K).

Is Shawnee County, KS safe?

Shawnee County has a safety score of 4/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #103 out of 105 counties in Kansas for safety (1 = safest).

How does Shawnee County crime compare to the Kansas average?

The county's safety score of 94.1 falls below the Kansas average of 98.0. Its total crime rate is nearly triple the state average of 1,282.2 per 100K, reflecting the challenges of its urban center.

What types of crime are most common in Shawnee County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Shawnee County?

Crime data for Shawnee 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 Shawnee County?

Shawnee County has a safety score of 4/100, which is below the Kansas average of 52/100. 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.