Safest cities in Missouri

Known as the 'Show Me State,' Missouri is a blend of bustling urban centers and scenic rural landscapes. Located in the Midwestern United States, Missouri boasts a diverse geography that includes the Ozark Mountains, fertile plains, and the Mississippi River. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, aerospace, and tourism. Kansas City and St. Louis, the state's largest cities, are cultural and economic hubs known for their vibrant arts scenes, historic sites, and world-class museums. Missouri is also rich in history, with landmarks such as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis celebrating its role as the 'Gateway to the West.' The state offers a variety of recreational activities, from exploring the Ozark National Scenic Riverways to enjoying the many parks and lakes.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Missouri particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Missouri's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Missouri's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Cottleville Population: 5,439 292 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 17 Property Crime / 100k: 275 chance of being a victim: 1 in 343

Cottleville proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Missouri. With only 292 crimes per 100,000 people, Cottleville has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Missouri average. This equates to an average of 0.05 crimes per day and a 1 in 343 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.

Poplar Bluff Population: 16,979 476 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 433 chance of being a victim: 1 in 210

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Poplar Bluff comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Missouri with a crime rate of 476 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 43 counts of burglary, 290 counts of theft, 99 counts of vehicle theft, 43 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Poplar Bluff, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Savannah Population: 5,170 477 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 99 Property Crime / 100k: 378 chance of being a victim: 1 in 210

With a population of 5,170 and a total crime rate of 477 per 100,000 residents, Savannah is the 3rd safest city in Missouri. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 95% lower than the Missouri 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.

Greenwood Population: 6,067 477 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 115 Property Crime / 100k: 362 chance of being a victim: 1 in 210

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Greenwood 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 477, 94% lower than the Missouri average. This amounts to 0.08 crimes per day and a 1 in 210 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 Greenwood a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Pleasant Hill Population: 8,611 545 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 477 chance of being a victim: 1 in 184

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Pleasant Hill consistently ranks high in safety. In Pleasant 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 545, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Glendale Population: 5,881 623 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 623 chance of being a victim: 1 in 161

Glendale has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Missouri. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 623 crimes per 100,000 people, 94% lower than the Missouri average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 66 reports of burglary, 311 reports of theft, 246 reports of vehicle theft, 0 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Ballwin Population: 30,177 676 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 646 chance of being a victim: 1 in 148

Ballwin ranks as the seventh safest city in Missouri and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 148 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.57 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. Ballwin’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Missouri.

Smithville Population: 10,269 685 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 122 Property Crime / 100k: 563 chance of being a victim: 1 in 146

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Smithville is the 8th safest city in Missouri. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 89% lower than the Missouri average, reporting a total of 685 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.

Battlefield Population: 6,375 806 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 165 Property Crime / 100k: 642 chance of being a victim: 1 in 124

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Battlefield is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Missouri, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 806 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 94% lower than the state average.

O'Fallon Population: 88,132 813 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 94 Property Crime / 100k: 719 chance of being a victim: 1 in 123

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Missouri, is O'Fallon. With a low rate of crime that included 46 burglaries, 607 thefts, 66 vehicle thefts, 59 assaults, 8 robberies, 25 rapes and 2 homicides, the overall crime rate was 4% 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 Missouri

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Cottleville	5,439	17	275	292
2	Poplar Bluff	16,979	43	433	476
3	Savannah	5,170	99	378	477
4	Greenwood	6,067	115	362	477
5	Pleasant Hill	8,611	68	477	545
6	Glendale	5,881	0	623	623
7	Ballwin	30,177	29	646	676
8	Smithville	10,269	122	563	685
9	Battlefield	6,375	165	642	806
10	O'Fallon	88,132	94	719	813
11	Republic	16,571	67	760	826
12	Nixa	22,086	72	841	913
13	Willard	5,567	311	607	918
14	Odessa	5,240	126	829	956
15	Lake St. Louis	16,357	112	930	1,042
16	Jackson	14,893	116	964	1,080
17	Webster Groves	22,906	114	1,017	1,131
18	Bonne Terre	7,037	148	992	1,140
19	Carl Junction	8,202	180	1,017	1,197
20	Chillicothe	9,106	98	1,101	1,199
21	Ladue	8,631	56	1,207	1,263
22	Eureka	10,203	87	1,176	1,263
23	Cameron	8,941	131	1,139	1,269
24	Oak Grove	8,278	131	1,204	1,335
25	Ellisville	9,752	192	1,173	1,365
26	Ozark	20,216	107	1,296	1,403
27	Clayton	16,763	71	1,395	1,466
28	Kearney	10,460	172	1,331	1,503
29	Manchester	18,102	50	1,455	1,505
30	Wentzville	40,407	298	1,234	1,532
31	Grain Valley	14,261	135	1,409	1,544
32	Parkville	7,122	95	1,462	1,557
33	Raymore	21,676	118	1,448	1,566
34	Arnold	21,144	63	1,505	1,568
35	Chesterfield	47,603	71	1,515	1,585
36	Trenton	5,679	143	1,469	1,613
37	Macon	5,357	128	1,496	1,624
38	Town and Country	11,109	26	1,629	1,655
39	Waynesville	5,260	314	1,347	1,661
40	Pacific	6,780	311	1,365	1,676
41	Perryville	8,500	319	1,383	1,703
42	Festus	12,054	292	1,442	1,734
43	Marshall	12,920	378	1,394	1,772
44	St. Peters	57,536	227	1,550	1,777
45	Moberly	13,710	257	1,543	1,800
46	Crestwood	11,859	114	1,761	1,875
47	Kirkwood	27,772	140	1,745	1,886
48	Peculiar	5,305	199	1,739	1,938
49	St. Charles	70,650	212	1,747	1,960
50	Jefferson City	42,670	356	1,707	2,063

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Missouri 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 Missouri 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.