Missouri Crime & Safety
Crime rates and safety scores for all 115 counties.
Avg Violent Crime Rate
372.0
per 100K
Avg Property Crime Rate
1555.0
per 100K
Avg Safety Score
97/100
State Overview
Crime & Safety in Missouri
National Context
Missouri Crime Rates Fall Below National Average
Missouri reports an average total crime rate of 1,926.2 per 100,000 residents, which sits significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This data places the state on the safer end of the national spectrum regarding total reported incidents. All 115 counties provided data, offering a complete picture of the state's safety landscape.
Violent vs. Property Crime
Property Crimes Drive the Majority of Incidents
Property crime dominates the state profile at 1,554.6 per 100,000 residents, though this remains well below the national benchmark of 2,015.7. In contrast, Missouri's violent crime rate of 371.6 slightly exceeds the national average of 369.8. This suggests that while overall crime is lower, residents face a marginally higher risk of violent encounters compared to the U.S. median.
Safest Counties
Rural Missouri Boasts Near-Zero Crime Rates
Gentry and Scotland Counties lead the state with a perfect 0.0 crime rate per 100,000 residents, indicating no reported incidents. Knox County follows closely as the third safest with a total rate of just 106.0 per 100,000. These rural areas offer some of the most secure environments in the entire country.
Crime Hotspots
Navigating High-Activity Jurisdictions and Urban Centers
Cass County reports the state's highest rate at 33,157.5 incidents per 100,000, followed by Christian County at 13,278.1. St. Louis city also remains a primary hotspot with a total crime rate of 8,517.6. These figures reflect concentrated law enforcement activity and higher report volumes in specific urban and suburban pockets.
The Takeaway
A Broad Safety Spectrum for Missouri Residents
Missouri presents a polarized safety landscape where total crime is 19% lower than the national average despite localized spikes. Prospective movers find extreme safety in the northern rural counties, while urban centers require more situational awareness due to higher violent crime rates. Overall, the state remains more secure than the national baseline for property-related offenses.
Safest Counties
All Missouri Counties
Crime rates per 100K population. — = data pending.
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Data Sources
Crime data sourced from the FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR) and County Health Rankings. Safety scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Not legal or security advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.