Putnam County Crime & Safety

Putnam County, Missouri

Safety Score

88/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

255.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

149.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

106.4

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

88/100

Higher = safer

State avg 44/100

State Safety Rank

of 115 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Putnam County, Missouri

Putnam County's Exceptional Safety

Putnam County is one of the safest in the nation, with a near-perfect safety score of 99.6. Its total crime rate of 255.4 per 100K is about 10% of the national average.

Missouri's Safe Rural Haven

Putnam's safety score of 99.6 vastly outperforms the Missouri average of 97.0. Two reporting agencies manage a community where crime is nearly 87% lower than the state average.

Dominating the Region in Safety

Putnam County maintains lower crime rates than even its safe neighbors like Ralls and Pike counties. This makes it a benchmark for safety in rural Missouri and the surrounding region.

Rare Violent and Property Crimes

The county reports a violent crime rate of 149.0 and an even lower property crime rate of 106.4 per 100K. These figures indicate that crime is an infrequent occurrence for most residents.

Simple Safety Precautions

In high-safety areas like Putnam County, standard precautions are usually sufficient. Ensuring windows are locked and participating in neighborhood watch programs helps keep this community secure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Putnam County, MO?

Putnam County has a total crime rate of 255.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (149.0 per 100K) and property crimes (106.4 per 100K).

Is Putnam County, MO safe?

Putnam County has a safety score of 88/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #7 out of 115 counties in Missouri for safety (1 = safest).

How does Putnam County crime compare to the Missouri average?

Putnam's safety score of 99.6 vastly outperforms the Missouri average of 97.0. Two reporting agencies manage a community where crime is nearly 87% lower than the state average.

What types of crime are most common in Putnam County?

The county reports a violent crime rate of 149.0 and an even lower property crime rate of 106.4 per 100K. These figures indicate that crime is an infrequent occurrence for most residents.

How is crime data measured and reported for Putnam County?

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

Putnam County has a safety score of 88/100, 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.