Safest cities in Mississippi

Known as the 'Magnolia State,' Mississippi is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Located in the southern United States, Mississippi boasts a diverse landscape that includes rolling hills, fertile farmlands, and the scenic Mississippi River. The state's economy is driven by industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Jackson, the state capital, is a vibrant urban center known for its music heritage, particularly blues, and its historical significance in the Civil Rights Movement. Mississippi is also home to numerous cultural attractions, including museums, historic sites, and music festivals that celebrate its unique heritage and traditions.

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

Petal Population: 10,624 492 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 423 chance of being a victim: 1 in 203

Petal proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Mississippi. With only 492 crimes per 100,000 people, Petal has a crime rate that is 88% lower than the Mississippi average. This equates to an average of 0.16 crimes per day and a 1 in 203 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.

Brandon Population: 24,088 593 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 113 Property Crime / 100k: 480 chance of being a victim: 1 in 169

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Brandon comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Mississippi with a crime rate of 593 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 78 counts of burglary, 343 counts of theft, 59 counts of vehicle theft, 66 counts of assault, 12 counts of robbery, 35 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Brandon, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Madison Population: 25,650 629 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 582 chance of being a victim: 1 in 159

With a population of 25,650 and a total crime rate of 629 per 100,000 residents, Madison is the 3rd safest city in Mississippi. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 72% lower than the Mississippi 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.

Holly Springs Population: 7,727 678 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 355 Property Crime / 100k: 324 chance of being a victim: 1 in 147

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Holly Springs 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 678, 94% lower than the Mississippi average. This amounts to 0.12 crimes per day and a 1 in 147 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 Holly Springs a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Hernando Population: 16,206 732 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 91 Property Crime / 100k: 641 chance of being a victim: 1 in 137

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Hernando consistently ranks high in safety. In Hernando, 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 732, which is 82% lower than the state average.

Clinton Population: 24,797 1,193 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 93 Property Crime / 100k: 1,100 chance of being a victim: 1 in 84

Clinton has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Mississippi. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,193 crimes per 100,000 people, 73% lower than the Mississippi average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 56 reports of burglary, 985 reports of theft, 59 reports of vehicle theft, 52 reports of assault, 7 reports of robbery, 30 reports of rape and 4 reports of homicide.

Byram Population: 11,519 1,415 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 236 Property Crime / 100k: 1,179 chance of being a victim: 1 in 71

Byram ranks as the seventh safest city in Mississippi and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 71 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.48 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. Byram’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Mississippi.

Waveland Population: 6,352 1,532 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 72 Property Crime / 100k: 1,460 chance of being a victim: 1 in 65

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Waveland is the 8th safest city in Mississippi. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the Mississippi average, reporting a total of 1,532 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.

Richland Population: 7,203 1,532 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 138 Property Crime / 100k: 1,394 chance of being a victim: 1 in 65

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Richland is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Mississippi, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,532 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Long Beach Population: 15,829 1,599 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 1,552 chance of being a victim: 1 in 63

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Mississippi, is Long Beach. With a low rate of crime that included 319 burglaries, 1,115 thefts, 118 vehicle thefts, 24 assaults, 18 robberies, 0 rapes and 6 homicides, the overall crime rate was 83% 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 Mississippi

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Petal	10,624	69	423	492
2	Brandon	24,088	113	480	593
3	Madison	25,650	47	582	629
4	Holly Springs	7,727	355	324	678
5	Hernando	16,206	91	641	732
6	Clinton	24,797	93	1,100	1,193
7	Byram	11,519	236	1,179	1,415
8	Waveland	6,352	72	1,460	1,532
9	Richland	7,203	138	1,394	1,532
10	Long Beach	15,829	47	1,552	1,599
11	Kosciusko	6,778	158	1,524	1,682
12	Oxford	27,662	130	1,635	1,765
13	Flowood	9,213	209	1,578	1,787
14	Olive Branch	38,270	315	1,857	2,172
15	Horn Lake	27,234	150	2,095	2,245
16	Senatobia	7,759	531	1,740	2,270
17	Ridgeland	24,194	360	1,938	2,297
18	Pass Christian	6,079	17	2,288	2,304
19	New Albany	8,723	26	2,328	2,354
20	Ocean Springs	17,756	98	2,266	2,364
21	Gautier	18,436	326	2,190	2,517
22	Starkville	25,495	154	2,496	2,650
23	Batesville	7,200	345	2,832	3,178
24	Forest	5,569	760	2,566	3,326
25	West Point	10,517	869	2,557	3,427
26	Louisville	6,063	989	2,465	3,455
27	Southaven	55,026	228	3,266	3,494
28	Bay St. Louis	13,539	170	3,399	3,569
29	Picayune	11,016	649	2,955	3,604
30	Pontotoc	6,070	451	3,292	3,743
31	Amory	6,873	124	4,022	4,147
32	Brookhaven	12,045	563	3,748	4,311
33	Tupelo	38,251	386	4,116	4,503
34	Booneville	8,539	265	4,391	4,657
35	Hattiesburg	46,010	344	4,479	4,823
36	Pascagoula	21,732	405	4,550	4,955
37	Vicksburg	22,045	505	4,489	4,995
38	Laurel	18,403	615	4,570	5,186
39	Corinth	14,544	485	5,121	5,606
40	Cleveland	11,363	1,039	4,725	5,764

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.