Cape Girardeau County Crime & Safety

Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Safety Score

22/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2019.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

386.8

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1632.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

22/100

Higher = safer

State avg 44/100

State Safety Rank

#87

of 115 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri

Cape Girardeau Maintains a Solid Safety Score

Cape Girardeau County earns a safety score of 96.8, closely following national trends. The total crime rate of 2019.5 per 100,000 is lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Consistent with Missouri State Averages

The county's safety score of 96.8 is nearly identical to the Missouri state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate of 2019.5 is just slightly above the state average of 1926.2.

Higher Activity than Bollinger County

Cape Girardeau County sees more crime than neighboring Bollinger County, which has a lower rate of 1369.9. This difference is largely driven by the higher population density and commerce in the city of Cape Girardeau.

Violent and Property Crime Analysis

The violent crime rate is 386.8, sitting slightly above the national average of 369.8. Property crime is more common at 1632.7, though it remains below the national average of 2,015.7.

Prioritizing Local Property Safety

With property crime as the most common incident type, residents should ensure vehicles are locked and valuables are out of sight. Home security cameras provide an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Cape Girardeau County, MO?

Cape Girardeau County has a total crime rate of 2019.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (386.8 per 100K) and property crimes (1632.7 per 100K).

Is Cape Girardeau County, MO safe?

Cape Girardeau County has a safety score of 22/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #87 out of 115 counties in Missouri for safety (1 = safest).

How does Cape Girardeau County crime compare to the Missouri average?

The county's safety score of 96.8 is nearly identical to the Missouri state average of 97.0. Its total crime rate of 2019.5 is just slightly above the state average of 1926.2.

What types of crime are most common in Cape Girardeau County?

The violent crime rate is 386.8, sitting slightly above the national average of 369.8. Property crime is more common at 1632.7, though it remains below the national average of 2,015.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Cape Girardeau County?

Crime data for Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau County?

Cape Girardeau County has a safety score of 22/100, which is below the Missouri average of 44/100. 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.