Safest cities in Kansas

Known as the 'Sunflower State,' Kansas is located in the heart of the United States, offering a blend of picturesque prairies, rolling hills, and bustling urban centers. Its central location makes it a key agricultural hub, producing significant amounts of wheat, corn, and soybeans. Kansas's economy is also bolstered by industries such as aviation, manufacturing, and energy, with major cities like Wichita playing a pivotal role in aerospace engineering. The state's rich cultural heritage is showcased in numerous museums, historical sites, and annual festivals. Kansas is also home to several renowned universities, contributing to a vibrant college sports scene, particularly in basketball, where the University of Kansas Jayhawks have earned national acclaim.

Low crime rates are essential for enhancing the livability of communities in Kansas, 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 Kansas'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 Kansas has to offer without the overshadowing concern of crime.

Ulysses Population: 5,518 214 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 161 Property Crime / 100k: 54 chance of being a victim: 1 in 467

Ulysses proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Kansas. With only 214 crimes per 100,000 people, Ulysses has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Kansas average. This equates to an average of 0.03 crimes per day and a 1 in 467 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.

Eudora Population: 6,551 497 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 140 Property Crime / 100k: 357 chance of being a victim: 1 in 201

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Eudora comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Kansas with a crime rate of 497 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 93 counts of burglary, 202 counts of theft, 62 counts of vehicle theft, 140 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Eudora, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Tonganoxie Population: 5,357 552 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 184 Property Crime / 100k: 368 chance of being a victim: 1 in 181

With a population of 5,357 and a total crime rate of 552 per 100,000 residents, Tonganoxie is the 3rd safest city in Kansas. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 94% lower than the Kansas 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.

Valley Center Population: 7,843 640 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 95 Property Crime / 100k: 545 chance of being a victim: 1 in 156

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Valley Center 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 640, 93% lower than the Kansas average. This amounts to 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 156 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 Valley Center a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Spring Hill Population: 6,992 851 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 132 Property Crime / 100k: 719 chance of being a victim: 1 in 118

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Spring Hill consistently ranks high in safety. In Spring Hill, 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 851, which is 90% lower than the state average.

Basehor Population: 6,225 877 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 178 Property Crime / 100k: 699 chance of being a victim: 1 in 114

Basehor has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Kansas. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 877 crimes per 100,000 people, 92% lower than the Kansas average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 51 reports of burglary, 623 reports of theft, 25 reports of vehicle theft, 102 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 76 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Lansing Population: 11,955 923 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 215 Property Crime / 100k: 708 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108

Lansing ranks as the seventh safest city in Kansas and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 108 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.28 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. Lansing’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Kansas.

Gardner Population: 21,936 926 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 215 Property Crime / 100k: 711 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Gardner is the 8th safest city in Kansas. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 75% lower than the Kansas average, reporting a total of 926 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.

Lawrence Population: 97,348 936 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 157 Property Crime / 100k: 779 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Lawrence is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Kansas, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 936 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 4% lower than the state average.

Bel Aire Population: 8,082 1,001 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 143 Property Crime / 100k: 858 chance of being a victim: 1 in 100

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Kansas, is Bel Aire. With a low rate of crime that included 275 burglaries, 528 thefts, 55 vehicle thefts, 121 assaults, 0 robberies, 22 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 91% 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 Kansas

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Ulysses	5,518	161	54	214
2	Eudora	6,551	140	357	497
3	Tonganoxie	5,357	184	368	552
4	Valley Center	7,843	95	545	640
5	Spring Hill	6,992	132	719	851
6	Basehor	6,225	178	699	877
7	Lansing	11,955	215	708	923
8	Gardner	21,936	215	711	926
9	Lawrence	97,348	157	779	936
10	Bel Aire	8,082	143	858	1,001
11	Mulvane	6,025	57	1,085	1,142
12	Andover	13,609	56	1,183	1,240
13	Prairie Village	22,255	96	1,146	1,242
14	Olathe	139,216	234	1,147	1,381
15	Concordia	5,005	179	1,211	1,389
16	Liberal	19,025	315	1,081	1,396
17	Pratt	6,595	184	1,306	1,491
18	El Dorado	12,976	218	1,290	1,507
19	McPherson	13,066	153	1,424	1,576
20	Shawnee	65,844	215	1,409	1,625
21	Lenexa	54,804	206	1,460	1,667
22	Dodge City	27,186	374	1,328	1,702
23	Abilene	6,258	295	1,647	1,942
24	Leawood	34,702	101	1,865	1,966
25	Great Bend	15,224	431	1,613	2,044
26	Ottawa	12,308	270	2,007	2,277
27	Atchison	10,561	169	2,223	2,392
28	Overland Park	193,412	203	2,247	2,450
29	Hutchinson	40,669	415	2,286	2,700
30	Newton	18,846	716	1,989	2,704
31	Maize	5,044	178	2,573	2,751
32	Winfield	11,990	274	2,563	2,837
33	Roeland Park	6,747	253	2,588	2,841
34	Emporia	24,631	394	2,564	2,958
35	Bonner Springs	7,846	224	2,750	2,973
36	Leavenworth	36,129	690	2,329	3,019
37	Fort Scott	7,715	300	2,835	3,136
38	Garden City	26,403	583	2,560	3,143
39	Augusta	9,363	282	3,137	3,419
40	Salina	46,706	529	2,900	3,429
41	Chanute	9,044	719	2,722	3,441
42	Arkansas City	11,767	588	2,890	3,478
43	Wellington	7,716	525	2,992	3,517
44	Coffeyville	9,343	614	3,115	3,729
45	Junction City	22,616	739	3,055	3,793
46	Park City	7,654	558	3,516	4,073
47	Pittsburg	20,096	348	3,937	4,285
48	Iola	5,322	759	3,629	4,388
49	Independence	8,595	633	4,416	5,048
50	Topeka	125,819	966	4,087	5,053

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Kansas 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 Kansas 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

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

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.