Wayne County Crime & Safety

Wayne County, Missouri

Safety Score

23/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1967.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

613.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1353.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

23/100

Higher = safer

State avg 44/100

State Safety Rank

#86

of 115 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Wayne County, Missouri

Total crime remains below national norms

Wayne County reports a total crime rate of 1967.4 per 100K, which is safer than the national average of 2,385.5. The county holds a 96.9 safety score.

Wayne County mirrors state averages

The county's total crime rate of 1967.4 is very close to the Missouri state average of 1926.2. Two reporting agencies work to maintain a safety score that is just below the state's 97.0 average.

Higher crime than Washington County

Wayne County experiences more crime than nearby Washington County, which reports a lower rate of 1518.3. This highlights a more active crime environment in the local area.

Significant violent crime rates

Violent crime is unusually high at 613.7 per 100K, exceeding the national average of 369.8. However, property crime at 1353.7 per 100K is much lower than the national rate of 2,015.7.

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Given the higher violent crime rate, residents should prioritize both personal and property security. Security systems with professional monitoring provide an essential layer of protection for local families.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Wayne County, MO?

Wayne County has a total crime rate of 1967.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (613.7 per 100K) and property crimes (1353.7 per 100K).

Is Wayne County, MO safe?

Wayne County has a safety score of 23/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #86 out of 115 counties in Missouri for safety (1 = safest).

How does Wayne County crime compare to the Missouri average?

The county's total crime rate of 1967.4 is very close to the Missouri state average of 1926.2. Two reporting agencies work to maintain a safety score that is just below the state's 97.0 average.

What types of crime are most common in Wayne County?

Violent crime is unusually high at 613.7 per 100K, exceeding the national average of 369.8. However, property crime at 1353.7 per 100K is much lower than the national rate of 2,015.7.

How is crime data measured and reported for Wayne County?

Crime data for Wayne 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 Wayne County?

Wayne County has a safety score of 23/100, 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.