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.

Bella Vista Population: 28,819 529 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 148 Property Crime / 100k: 381 chance of being a victim: 1 in 189
Bella Vista proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Arkansas. With only 529 crimes per 100,000 people, Bella Vista has a crime rate that is 67% lower than the Arkansas average. This equates to an average of 0.47 crimes per day and a 1 in 189 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: 9,392 538 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 228 Property Crime / 100k: 310 chance of being a victim: 1 in 186
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 538 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 145 counts of burglary, 134 counts of theft, 31 counts of vehicle theft, 176 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 52 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: 15,345 594 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 226 Property Crime / 100k: 367 chance of being a victim: 1 in 168
With a population of 15,345 and a total crime rate of 594 per 100,000 residents, Centerton is the 3rd safest city in Arkansas. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 77% 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.
Farmington Population: 7,166 716 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 261 Property Crime / 100k: 455 chance of being a victim: 1 in 140
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Farmington 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 716, 90% lower than the Arkansas average. This amounts to 0.20 crimes per day and a 1 in 140 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 Farmington a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Pea Ridge Population: 5,960 762 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 328 Property Crime / 100k: 434 chance of being a victim: 1 in 131
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Pea Ridge consistently ranks high in safety. In Pea Ridge, 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 762, which is 91% lower than the state average.
Prairie Grove Population: 6,236 993 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 255 Property Crime / 100k: 739 chance of being a victim: 1 in 101
Prairie Grove 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 993 crimes per 100,000 people, 92% lower than the Arkansas average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 204 reports of burglary, 535 reports of theft, 0 reports of vehicle theft, 140 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 102 reports of rape and 13 reports of homicide.
Lowell Population: 9,433 994 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 206 Property Crime / 100k: 789 chance of being a victim: 1 in 101
Lowell ranks as the seventh safest city in Arkansas and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 101 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.32 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.
Osceola Population: 6,786 1,212 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 644 Property Crime / 100k: 568 chance of being a victim: 1 in 83
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Osceola is the 8th safest city in Arkansas. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the Arkansas average, reporting a total of 1,212 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.
Bentonville Population: 52,070 1,339 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 244 Property Crime / 100k: 1,095 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. Bentonville 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 1,339 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 41% lower than the state average.
Maumelle Population: 18,193 1,355 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 227 Property Crime / 100k: 1,128 chance of being a victim: 1 in 74
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Arkansas, is Maumelle. With a low rate of crime that included 216 burglaries, 809 thefts, 103 vehicle thefts, 170 assaults, 15 robberies, 41 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 81% 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 Bella Vista 28,819 148 381 529
2 Greenwood 9,392 228 310 538
3 Centerton 15,345 226 367 594
4 Farmington 7,166 261 455 716
5 Pea Ridge 5,960 328 434 762
6 Prairie Grove 6,236 255 739 993
7 Lowell 9,433 206 789 994
8 Osceola 6,786 644 568 1,212
9 Bentonville 52,070 244 1,095 1,339
10 Maumelle 18,193 227 1,128 1,355
11 White Hall 5,017 295 1,160 1,454
12 Walnut Ridge 5,104 379 1,210 1,589
13 Rogers 67,787 367 1,587 1,954
14 Warren 5,596 370 1,598 1,968
15 Ward 5,195 666 1,332 1,998
16 Arkadelphia 10,670 274 1,793 2,067
17 De Queen 6,499 166 1,993 2,159
18 Harrison 13,124 334 1,974 2,308
19 Cabot 26,376 404 1,938 2,342
20 Batesville 10,749 654 1,694 2,348
21 Alma 5,816 438 1,953 2,391
22 Clarksville 9,661 477 1,937 2,414
23 Siloam Springs 17,031 436 1,979 2,416
24 Russellville 29,227 544 2,087 2,631
25 Mountain Home 12,463 263 2,412 2,675
26 Bryant 20,563 133 2,573 2,706
27 Berryville 5,594 294 2,418 2,711
28 Beebe 8,131 508 2,211 2,719
29 Monticello 9,392 596 2,135 2,731
30 Pocahontas 6,582 433 2,388 2,822
31 Sherwood 31,225 569 2,287 2,856
32 Heber Springs 7,156 382 2,540 2,922
33 Magnolia 11,537 339 2,659 2,998
34 Benton 36,360 458 2,554 3,011
35 Conway 66,776 548 2,473 3,021
36 Van Buren 23,600 341 2,831 3,173
37 Springdale 80,433 561 2,660 3,221
38 Marion 12,371 629 2,723 3,352
39 Mena 5,524 339 3,101 3,439
40 Malvern 10,886 653 2,840 3,493
41 Fayetteville 86,622 419 3,225 3,644
42 Searcy 23,673 460 3,299 3,760
43 Newport 7,552 818 3,021 3,839
44 Morrilton 6,638 477 3,468 3,946
45 Jonesboro 77,391 642 3,306 3,948
46 Wynne 7,773 833 3,234 4,067
47 Blytheville 13,735 710 3,790 4,500
48 Hope 9,668 1,037 3,734 4,771
49 Camden 10,877 1,192 3,586 4,778
50 Texarkana 29,864 933 3,914 4,847

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.