Polk County Crime & Safety

Polk County, Missouri

Safety Score

27/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1788.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

191.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1596.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

27/100

Higher = safer

State avg 44/100

State Safety Rank

#84

of 115 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Polk County, Missouri

Polk County Safety Review

Polk County achieves a safety score of 97.2, reflecting a total crime rate of 1,788.2 per 100K residents. This remains lower than the national average of 2,385.5, indicating a relatively secure community.

Meeting Missouri Safety Benchmarks

The county matches up well with state performance, sitting just above the Missouri average safety score of 97.0. Its total crime rate of 1,788.2 is safely below the state average of 1,926.2.

Polk vs. Neighboring Phelps

Polk County offers a safer environment than Phelps County, which has a higher crime rate of 2,754.1 per 100K. Six reporting agencies coordinate to keep Polk's figures closer to state norms.

Understanding Local Crime Types

The violent crime rate in Polk is 191.4 per 100K, roughly half of the national average. Property crime stands at ,1596.8 per 100K, which is the primary area for local law enforcement focus.

Enhanced Home Protection Strategies

Homeowners in Polk County should focus on preventing property crime through basic deterrents. Secure perimeter fencing and alarm systems are effective tools for maintaining a safe residence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Polk County, MO?

Polk County has a total crime rate of 1788.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (191.4 per 100K) and property crimes (1596.8 per 100K).

Is Polk County, MO safe?

Polk County has a safety score of 27/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #84 out of 115 counties in Missouri for safety (1 = safest).

How does Polk County crime compare to the Missouri average?

The county matches up well with state performance, sitting just above the Missouri average safety score of 97.0. Its total crime rate of 1,788.2 is safely below the state average of 1,926.2.

What types of crime are most common in Polk County?

The violent crime rate in Polk is 191.4 per 100K, roughly half of the national average. Property crime stands at ,1596.8 per 100K, which is the primary area for local law enforcement focus.

How is crime data measured and reported for Polk County?

Crime data for Polk 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 Polk County?

Polk County has a safety score of 27/100, 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.