| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | St. Joseph/100k people | Missouri/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,212 | n/a (estimate) | 4,579 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 4.3 | 7.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 125 | n/a | 178.2 | 45.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 38 | n/a | 54.2 | 51.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 345 | n/a | 491.9 | 357.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 511 | n/a (estimate) | 729 | 462 | 359 |
| Burglary | 376 | n/a | 536.1 | 236.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,946 | n/a | 2,774.5 | 1,306.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 379 | n/a | 540.4 | 398.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,701 | n/a (estimate) | 3,851 | 1,941 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the St. Joseph crime rate is 116.1% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of St. Joseph, there were 511 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 729 per 100,000 individuals, 102.9% higher than the national average. Additionally, St. Joseph recorded 2701 property crimes, amounting to 3851 per 100,000 residents, 118.8% higher than the U.S. average.
Having a crime rate of 4579 per 100,000 residents, St. Joseph experiences a crime rate that is 116.09% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, St. Joseph contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
St. Joseph has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 729 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, St. Joseph falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 138 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
St. Joseph reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 3851 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 26 chance of falling victim to property crime in St. Joseph, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and St. Joseph is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, St. Joseph reported a total of 379 vehicle thefts, resulting in 540 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 186, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in St. Joseph. Based on the results of the surveys (113 responses), 19% of people felt that there was very little crime in St. Joseph and felt safe walking alone at night. While 81% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether St. Joseph is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, St. Joseph has an overall crime rate that is 116% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 8.8 daily occurrences, comprising 1.4 violent crimes and 7.4 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of St. Joseph as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in St. Joseph crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in St. Joseph has decreased by 9.7% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 8.3% and property crime has decreased by 12.4%.
In St. Joseph, the poverty rate currently stands at 16.9%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in St. Joseph crime rates.
In St. Joseph, 79.2% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
In St. Joseph, the median home price stands at $210,649, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | St. Joseph | Missouri | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 156 | 12,115 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 3.7 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Missouri /100K | National /100K |
| Missouri | 19,657 | 344 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Savannah, MO | 5,277 | 118 | 473 | 591 |
| Country Club, MO | 2,550 | 153 | 643 | 796 |
| Wathena, KS | 1,561 | 160 | 712 | 872 |
| Gower, MO | 1,727 | 177 | 743 | 919 |
| Agency, MO | 722 | 390 | 1,640 | 2,031 |
| Troy, KS | 793 | 502 | 2,237 | 2,739 |
| Cosby, MO | 206 | 551 | 2,313 | 2,864 |
| St. Joseph, MO | 77,382 | 729 | 3,851 | 4,579 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Missoula, MT | 77,349 | 597 | 3,629 | 4,226 |
| Buckeye, AZ | 77,435 | 167 | 771 | 938 |
| Bethlehem, PA | 77,503 | 206 | 1,369 | 1,575 |
| Gary, IN | 77,151 | 491 | 2,163 | 2,654 |
| Centreville, VA | 77,124 | 104 | 747 | 850 |
| St. Joseph, MO | 77,382 | 729 | 3,851 | 4,579 |
Here are the best places to live in Missouri
Most Dangerous States In The US
Check out the 10 safest cities in Missouri
Most Dangerous Cities In The US