DeSoto County Crime & Safety

DeSoto County, Mississippi

Safety Score

20/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2097.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

196.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1900.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

20/100

Higher = safer

State avg 63/100

State Safety Rank

#70

of 82 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in DeSoto County, Mississippi

Safe Living in DeSoto County

DeSoto County maintains a strong safety score of 96.7 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 2,097.0 per 100,000 residents remains lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Comparing DeSoto to the Magnolia State

The county's safety score sits slightly below the Mississippi average of 98.4. Local officials across seven reporting agencies work to manage crime trends in this growing region.

Regional Crime Trends in Perspective

DeSoto experiences a higher crime rate than the state average of 978.4 per 100,000, reflecting its more urbanized nature. However, it remains more secure than several peers in the Memphis metropolitan orbit.

Understanding Local Crime Categories

Property crimes dominate the local landscape at 1,900.5 incidents per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, violent crime rates are low at 196.5, significantly beating the national benchmark of 369.8.

Securing Your DeSoto Residence

With property crime being the primary concern, residents should prioritize home security measures. Simple steps like installing smart doorbells and motion lighting can effectively deter opportunistic theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in DeSoto County, MS?

DeSoto County has a total crime rate of 2097.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (196.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1900.5 per 100K).

Is DeSoto County, MS safe?

DeSoto County has a safety score of 20/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #70 out of 82 counties in Mississippi for safety (1 = safest).

How does DeSoto County crime compare to the Mississippi average?

The county's safety score sits slightly below the Mississippi average of 98.4. Local officials across seven reporting agencies work to manage crime trends in this growing region.

What types of crime are most common in DeSoto County?

Property crimes dominate the local landscape at 1,900.5 incidents per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, violent crime rates are low at 196.5, significantly beating the national benchmark of 369.8.

How is crime data measured and reported for DeSoto County?

Crime data for DeSoto 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 DeSoto County?

DeSoto County has a safety score of 20/100, which is below the Mississippi average of 63/100. 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.