Howard County Crime & Safety

Howard County, Missouri

Safety Score

60/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

917.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

276.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

640.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

60/100

Higher = safer

State avg 44/100

State Safety Rank

#36

of 115 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Howard County, Missouri

Howard County Among the Nation's Safest

Howard County earns a safety score of 98.6, placing it well ahead of national averages. The total crime rate of 917.0 per 100K is roughly 60% lower than the national benchmark.

Exceeding Missouri Safety Standards

Howard County outperforms the Missouri average safety score of 97.0 by a notable margin. Two reporting agencies document a crime rate that is less than half the state average.

A Regional Leader in Security

With only 917.0 crimes per 100K, Howard County is significantly safer than the average Missouri county. It provides a highly secure rural environment for its residents.

Violent Crime Stays Very Low

Violent crime in Howard County is just 276.1 per 100K, while property crime sits at 640.9. These numbers represent a fraction of the crime seen in typical American counties.

Preserve Howard's High Safety Score

Low crime rates are a community asset that residents can help protect. Smart home technology like doorbell cameras is an excellent way to deter infrequent property crimes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Howard County, MO?

Howard County has a total crime rate of 917.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (276.1 per 100K) and property crimes (640.9 per 100K).

Is Howard County, MO safe?

Howard County has a safety score of 60/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #36 out of 115 counties in Missouri for safety (1 = safest).

How does Howard County crime compare to the Missouri average?

Howard County outperforms the Missouri average safety score of 97.0 by a notable margin. Two reporting agencies document a crime rate that is less than half the state average.

What types of crime are most common in Howard County?

Violent crime in Howard County is just 276.1 per 100K, while property crime sits at 640.9. These numbers represent a fraction of the crime seen in typical American counties.

How is crime data measured and reported for Howard County?

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

Howard County has a safety score of 60/100, 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.