Safest cities in Missouri

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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.

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Cottleville Population: 5,566 65 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 16 Property Crime / 100k: 49 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Cottleville proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Missouri. With only 65 crimes per 100,000 people, Cottleville has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Missouri average. This equates to an average of 0.01 crimes per day and a 1 in 1,541 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: 17,570 248 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 37 Property Crime / 100k: 211 chance of being a victim: 1 in 403

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 248 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 31 counts of burglary, 149 counts of theft, 31 counts of vehicle theft, 12 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 12 counts of rape and 12 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Poplar Bluff, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Odessa Population: 5,425 319 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 266 chance of being a victim: 1 in 314

With a population of 5,425 and a total crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, Odessa is the 3rd safest city in Missouri. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 94% 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.

Glendale Population: 6,004 383 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 17 Property Crime / 100k: 366 chance of being a victim: 1 in 261

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Glendale 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 383, 94% lower than the Missouri average. This amounts to 0.06 crimes per day and a 1 in 261 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 Glendale a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Greenwood Population: 6,243 471 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 81 Property Crime / 100k: 390 chance of being a victim: 1 in 212

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Greenwood consistently ranks high in safety. In Greenwood, 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 471, which is 94% lower than the state average.

O'Fallon Population: 90,020 538 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 479 chance of being a victim: 1 in 186

O'Fallon 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 538 crimes per 100,000 people, 5% lower than the Missouri average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 31 reports of burglary, 413 reports of theft, 36 reports of vehicle theft, 40 reports of assault, 1 reports of robbery, 18 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Ballwin Population: 31,123 540 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 56 Property Crime / 100k: 484 chance of being a victim: 1 in 185

Ballwin ranks as the seventh safest city in Missouri and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 185 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.45 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.

Savannah Population: 5,277 591 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 118 Property Crime / 100k: 473 chance of being a victim: 1 in 169

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Savannah is the 8th safest city in Missouri. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 95% lower than the Missouri average, reporting a total of 591 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: 6,508 636 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 159 Property Crime / 100k: 477 chance of being a victim: 1 in 157

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 636 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Willard Population: 5,734 639 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 198 Property Crime / 100k: 441 chance of being a victim: 1 in 157

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Missouri, is Willard. With a low rate of crime that included 0 burglaries, 365 thefts, 76 vehicle thefts, 183 assaults, 15 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 93% 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	5,566	16	49	65
2	Poplar Bluff	17,570	37	211	248
3	Odessa	5,425	53	266	319
4	Glendale	6,004	17	366	383
5	Greenwood	6,243	81	390	471
6	O'Fallon	90,020	59	479	538
7	Ballwin	31,123	56	484	540
8	Savannah	5,277	118	473	591
9	Battlefield	6,508	159	477	636
10	Willard	5,734	198	441	639
11	Nixa	22,872	46	606	651
12	Lake St. Louis	16,749	57	605	662
13	Warrenton	8,685	31	659	691
14	Bowling Green	5,376	45	673	717
15	Ozark	20,620	81	683	764
16	Webster Groves	23,373	120	649	769
17	Pleasant Hill	8,836	104	718	822
18	Kearney	10,736	213	612	825
19	Parkville	7,398	117	736	853
20	Wentzville	41,279	110	744	854
21	Trenton	5,850	284	586	870
22	Ellisville	10,050	144	729	873
23	Smithville	10,630	184	707	891
24	Ladue	8,903	45	848	893
25	Clayton	17,205	103	794	897
26	Carl Junction	8,409	272	639	912
27	Olivette	8,079	45	882	926
28	Eureka	10,586	133	862	995
29	Bonne Terre	7,250	234	780	1,014
30	St. Charles	72,409	134	887	1,022
31	Chillicothe	9,377	347	749	1,096
32	Jackson	15,346	82	1,035	1,117
33	Peculiar	5,455	144	976	1,119
34	Troy	12,706	144	978	1,122
35	Marshall	13,323	140	1,015	1,155
36	Platte City	5,133	144	1,032	1,176
37	Republic	17,135	126	1,059	1,186
38	Perryville	8,741	294	895	1,190
39	Bolivar	11,421	174	1,024	1,198
40	Festus	12,514	183	1,030	1,212
41	Raymore	22,494	149	1,110	1,259
42	St. Peters	59,202	207	1,058	1,265
43	Town and Country	11,464	26	1,241	1,267
44	Fulton	13,185	209	1,086	1,295
45	Sunset Hills	8,664	78	1,223	1,301
46	Pacific	6,965	183	1,125	1,308
47	Pevely	6,102	231	1,104	1,335
48	Moberly	14,143	318	1,022	1,340
49	Manchester	18,771	45	1,301	1,345
50	Chesterfield	48,902	96	1,286	1,382

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

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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.