Benton County Crime & Safety

Benton County, Missouri

Safety Score

48/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1177.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

193.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

983.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

48/100

Higher = safer

State avg 44/100

State Safety Rank

#52

of 115 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Benton County, Missouri

Benton County Safe Compared to US

Benton County reports a total crime rate of 1,177.6 per 100K, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county a high safety score of 98.1.

One of Missouri's Safer Counties

Benton's safety score of 98.1 exceeds the state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate is also well below the Missouri state average of 1,926.2 per 100K.

Strong Safety Record Near Lakes

Benton maintains a lower crime rate than regional peer Barry County, which sits at 2,152.7. It is one of the more secure counties in the central Missouri lake region.

Minimal Violent and Property Crime

The property crime rate is 983.9 per 100K, which is about half the national average. Violent crime is also low at 193.7 per 100K residents.

Protecting Seasonal and Lake Properties

Residents can help maintain low rates by securing vacation properties and boats, which are often targets. Modern alarm systems offer peace of mind for both full-time and seasonal residents.

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ADT Security Systems

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Benton County, MO?

Benton County has a total crime rate of 1177.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (193.7 per 100K) and property crimes (983.9 per 100K).

Is Benton County, MO safe?

Benton County has a safety score of 48/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #52 out of 115 counties in Missouri for safety (1 = safest).

How does Benton County crime compare to the Missouri average?

Benton's safety score of 98.1 exceeds the state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate is also well below the Missouri state average of 1,926.2 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Benton County?

The property crime rate is 983.9 per 100K, which is about half the national average. Violent crime is also low at 193.7 per 100K residents.

How is crime data measured and reported for Benton County?

Crime data for Benton 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.

Why is Benton County safer than the Missouri average?

Benton County has a safety score of 48/100, which is above the Missouri average of 44/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.