Hazelwood, MO Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Hazelwood, MO

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Hazelwood crime rate is higher than the national average by 64.9%. Specifically, there were 189 violent crimes in Hazelwood, equivalent to 755 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 104.2%. Furthermore, Hazelwood recorded 770 property crimes, amounting to 3076 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 57.4%.

Hazelwood is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 755 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Hazelwood is 1 in 133.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Hazelwood ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Hazelwood, there were a total of 12 murders, translating to 48 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Hazelwood ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 291 vehicle thefts, amounting to 1163 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Hazelwood within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 87.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Hazelwood?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Hazelwood residents. Out of the respondents (15 in total), 7% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Hazelwood were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 93% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Hazelwood a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Hazelwood is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Hazelwood has a total crime rate that is 65% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.63 daily crimes (0.52 violent daily crimes and 2.11 daily property crimes) in Hazelwood.

Has Crime in Hazelwood Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Hazelwood. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Hazelwood has increased by 3.2%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 11.2%, while property crime has increased by 1.5%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Hazelwood.

Potential Causes for Crime in Hazelwood

Hazelwood has a population density of 1572.6 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Hazelwood crime rates.

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Hazelwood, 86.6% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Hazelwood, the cost of living is 16.45% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Hazelwood crime map