Clay County Crime & Safety

Clay County, Missouri

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1035.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

113.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

921.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

State avg 44/100

State Safety Rank

#42

of 115 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Clay County, Missouri

Clay County maintains a high safety rating

With a total crime rate of 1,035.2 per 100K, Clay County is much safer than the national average of 2,385.5. The county boasts a high safety score of 98.4 out of 100.

One of Missouri's safer metropolitan counties

Clay County’s safety score of 98.4 is higher than the Missouri average of 97.0. Its crime rate is nearly half the state average of 1,926.2 per 100K people.

A secure choice compared to neighbors

Clay County is far safer than neighboring Cass County, which reports a massive crime rate of 33,157.5. It stands out as a regional pocket of safety despite its large population and 11 reporting agencies.

Very low violent and property crime

The violent crime rate is only 113.4, which is roughly one-third of the national average. Property crime also remains low at 921.8 per 100K, compared to 2,015.7 nationally.

Maintain vigilance in your neighborhood

Even in safe counties like Clay, property crime still occurs occasionally. Participating in a neighborhood watch and keeping your home well-lit at night helps maintain these excellent safety numbers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Clay County, MO?

Clay County has a total crime rate of 1035.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (113.4 per 100K) and property crimes (921.8 per 100K).

Is Clay County, MO safe?

Clay County has a safety score of 54/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #42 out of 115 counties in Missouri for safety (1 = safest).

How does Clay County crime compare to the Missouri average?

Clay County’s safety score of 98.4 is higher than the Missouri average of 97.0. Its crime rate is nearly half the state average of 1,926.2 per 100K people.

What types of crime are most common in Clay County?

The violent crime rate is only 113.4, which is roughly one-third of the national average. Property crime also remains low at 921.8 per 100K, compared to 2,015.7 nationally.

How is crime data measured and reported for Clay County?

Crime data for Clay 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 Clay County safer than the Missouri average?

Clay County has a safety score of 54/100, 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.