Safest cities in Arkansas

Referred to as the 'Natural State,' Arkansas is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, rivers, and hot springs. Located in the southern region of the United States, Arkansas offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, from hiking and fishing to boating and camping. The state's economy is supported by agriculture, manufacturing, and services, with key industries such as poultry, rice, and transportation equipment. Arkansas has a rich cultural scene, with a strong emphasis on music, arts, and history. The state is home to numerous museums, cultural festivals, and historic landmarks, including the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.

Low crime rates are essential for enhancing the livability of communities in Arkansas, making the safest cities highly desirable places to live. Safety provides a foundation for economic stability and community well-being, allowing residents to feel secure in their daily lives. Factors that contribute to the safety of Arkansas's cities include community policing, neighborhood watch programs, and active citizen participation. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a reliable measure of security. This emphasis on safety ensures that residents can enjoy the many amenities and natural attractions Arkansas has to offer without the overshadowing concern of crime.

Greenbrier Population: 5,592 134 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 67 Property Crime / 100k: 67 chance of being a victim: 1 in 744

Greenbrier proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Arkansas. With only 134 crimes per 100,000 people, Greenbrier has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Arkansas average. This equates to an average of 0.02 crimes per day and a 1 in 744 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Greenwood Population: 9,392 546 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 144 Property Crime / 100k: 402 chance of being a victim: 1 in 183

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Greenwood comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Arkansas with a crime rate of 546 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 134 counts of burglary, 227 counts of theft, 41 counts of vehicle theft, 124 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 21 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Greenwood, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Centerton Population: 15,345 629 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 205 Property Crime / 100k: 424 chance of being a victim: 1 in 159

With a population of 15,345 and a total crime rate of 629 per 100,000 residents, Centerton is the 3rd safest city in Arkansas. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 78% lower than the Arkansas average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Bella Vista Population: 28,819 645 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 220 Property Crime / 100k: 425 chance of being a victim: 1 in 155

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Bella Vista is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 645, 69% lower than the Arkansas average. This amounts to 0.55 crimes per day and a 1 in 155 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Bella Vista a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Farmington Population: 7,166 869 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 169 Property Crime / 100k: 700 chance of being a victim: 1 in 115

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Farmington consistently ranks high in safety. In Farmington, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 869, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Pea Ridge Population: 5,960 1,086 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 262 Property Crime / 100k: 824 chance of being a victim: 1 in 92

Pea Ridge has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Arkansas. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,086 crimes per 100,000 people, 92% lower than the Arkansas average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 209 reports of burglary, 563 reports of theft, 52 reports of vehicle theft, 105 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 157 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Lowell Population: 9,433 1,192 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 211 Property Crime / 100k: 981 chance of being a victim: 1 in 84

Lowell ranks as the seventh safest city in Arkansas and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 84 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.34 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Lowell’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Arkansas.

Walnut Ridge Population: 5,104 1,274 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 328 Property Crime / 100k: 946 chance of being a victim: 1 in 79

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Walnut Ridge is the 8th safest city in Arkansas. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 95% lower than the Arkansas average, reporting a total of 1,274 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

White Hall Population: 5,017 1,326 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 215 Property Crime / 100k: 1,111 chance of being a victim: 1 in 75

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. White Hall is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Arkansas, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,326 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Prairie Grove Population: 6,236 1,478 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 272 Property Crime / 100k: 1,206 chance of being a victim: 1 in 68

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Arkansas, is Prairie Grove. With a low rate of crime that included 467 burglaries, 661 thefts, 78 vehicle thefts, 259 assaults, 0 robberies, 13 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 92% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Arkansas

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Greenbrier	5,592	67	67	134
2	Greenwood	9,392	144	402	546
3	Centerton	15,345	205	424	629
4	Bella Vista	28,819	220	425	645
5	Farmington	7,166	169	700	869
6	Pea Ridge	5,960	262	824	1,086
7	Lowell	9,433	211	981	1,192
8	Walnut Ridge	5,104	328	946	1,274
9	White Hall	5,017	215	1,111	1,326
10	Prairie Grove	6,236	272	1,206	1,478
11	Bentonville	52,070	319	1,165	1,485
12	Maumelle	18,193	192	1,416	1,608
13	Cabot	26,376	370	1,671	2,041
14	Arkadelphia	10,670	244	1,906	2,150
15	Warren	5,596	357	1,859	2,216
16	Batesville	10,749	404	1,833	2,237
17	Harrison	13,124	150	2,097	2,247
18	Clarksville	9,661	220	2,050	2,270
19	Monticello	9,392	512	2,000	2,512
20	Rogers	67,787	395	2,134	2,529
21	Ward	5,195	695	1,948	2,643
22	Beebe	8,131	495	2,200	2,695
23	De Queen	6,499	478	2,241	2,719
24	Siloam Springs	17,031	568	2,250	2,818
25	Pocahontas	6,582	366	2,494	2,860
26	Alma	5,816	409	2,656	3,064
27	Springdale	80,433	546	2,523	3,068
28	Heber Springs	7,156	530	2,557	3,087
29	Benton	36,360	345	2,811	3,156
30	Mountain Home	12,463	311	2,883	3,194
31	Sherwood	31,225	776	2,567	3,343
32	Russellville	29,227	559	2,851	3,410
33	Conway	66,776	578	2,843	3,420
34	Marion	12,371	706	2,779	3,485
35	Berryville	5,594	210	3,335	3,545
36	Van Buren	23,600	450	3,145	3,595
37	Bryant	20,563	121	3,476	3,597
38	Mena	5,524	372	3,273	3,645
39	Jonesboro	77,391	646	3,324	3,970
40	Magnolia	11,537	543	3,445	3,988
41	Wynne	7,773	1,057	3,048	4,105
42	Searcy	23,673	513	3,694	4,207
43	Morrilton	6,638	380	3,984	4,364
44	Malvern	10,886	758	3,686	4,444
45	Fayetteville	86,622	504	4,033	4,537
46	Hope	9,668	1,031	3,538	4,569
47	Texarkana	29,864	995	3,644	4,639
48	El Dorado	17,826	1,732	3,175	4,907
49	Trumann	7,000	920	4,009	4,929
50	Paragould	28,821	1,142	3,802	4,945

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Arkansas is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Arkansas cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.