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: 5,439 223 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 154 chance of being a victim: 1 in 449

Cottleville proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Missouri. With only 223 crimes per 100,000 people, Cottleville has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Missouri average. This equates to an average of 0.04 crimes per day and a 1 in 449 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.

Glendale Population: 5,881 365 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 17 Property Crime / 100k: 348 chance of being a victim: 1 in 274

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Glendale comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Missouri with a crime rate of 365 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 33 counts of burglary, 315 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 17 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Glendale, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Greenwood Population: 6,067 474 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 98 Property Crime / 100k: 376 chance of being a victim: 1 in 211

With a population of 6,067 and a total crime rate of 474 per 100,000 residents, Greenwood 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.

Bowling Green Population: 5,259 498 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 24 Property Crime / 100k: 475 chance of being a victim: 1 in 201

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Bowling Green 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 498, 96% lower than the Missouri average. This amounts to 0.06 crimes per day and a 1 in 201 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 Bowling Green a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Lake St. Louis Population: 16,357 553 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 89 Property Crime / 100k: 464 chance of being a victim: 1 in 181

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Lake St. Louis consistently ranks high in safety. In Lake St. Louis, 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 553, which is 81% lower than the state average.

Savannah Population: 5,170 557 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 60 Property Crime / 100k: 497 chance of being a victim: 1 in 180

Savannah 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 557 crimes per 100,000 people, 95% lower than the Missouri average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 40 reports of burglary, 438 reports of theft, 20 reports of vehicle theft, 60 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Battlefield Population: 6,375 633 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 190 Property Crime / 100k: 443 chance of being a victim: 1 in 158

Battlefield ranks as the seventh safest city in Missouri and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 158 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.11 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. Battlefield’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Missouri.

Pleasant Hill Population: 8,611 680 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 150 Property Crime / 100k: 530 chance of being a victim: 1 in 147

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Pleasant Hill is the 8th safest city in Missouri. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 91% lower than the Missouri average, reporting a total of 680 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.

Ballwin Population: 30,177 708 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 72 Property Crime / 100k: 636 chance of being a victim: 1 in 141

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Ballwin 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 708 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 70% lower than the state average.

Odessa Population: 5,240 714 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 36 Property Crime / 100k: 678 chance of being a victim: 1 in 140

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Missouri, is Odessa. With a low rate of crime that included 89 burglaries, 446 thefts, 143 vehicle thefts, 18 assaults, 0 robberies, 18 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 94% 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	69	154	223
2	Glendale	5,881	17	348	365
3	Greenwood	6,067	98	376	474
4	Bowling Green	5,259	24	475	498
5	Lake St. Louis	16,357	89	464	553
6	Savannah	5,170	60	497	557
7	Battlefield	6,375	190	443	633
8	Pleasant Hill	8,611	150	530	680
9	Ballwin	30,177	72	636	708
10	Odessa	5,240	36	678	714
11	Eureka	10,203	60	665	725
12	Nixa	22,086	35	720	755
13	O'Fallon	88,132	86	697	782
14	Ellisville	9,752	61	735	796
15	Willard	5,567	228	592	820
16	Ladue	8,631	68	789	857
17	Bonne Terre	7,037	122	776	898
18	Webster Groves	22,906	85	841	926
19	Smithville	10,269	130	829	959
20	Trenton	5,679	283	761	1,044
21	Kearney	10,460	233	816	1,050
22	Pevely	5,937	150	930	1,080
23	Ozark	20,216	139	944	1,083
24	Fulton	12,696	118	1,003	1,120
25	Clayton	16,763	76	1,069	1,146
26	Manchester	18,102	33	1,130	1,164
27	St. Charles	70,650	207	963	1,171
28	Wentzville	40,407	200	990	1,191
29	Macon	5,357	165	1,081	1,246
30	Chesterfield	47,603	69	1,191	1,261
31	Olivette	7,837	72	1,199	1,271
32	Jackson	14,893	158	1,118	1,276
33	Carl Junction	8,202	260	1,016	1,276
34	Perryville	8,500	331	946	1,278
35	Republic	16,571	144	1,196	1,340
36	Raymore	21,676	121	1,241	1,362
37	Town and Country	11,109	26	1,359	1,385
38	Oak Grove	8,278	58	1,365	1,423
39	Chillicothe	9,106	340	1,096	1,436
40	Grain Valley	14,261	237	1,205	1,442
41	Troy	12,457	213	1,270	1,483
42	Marshall	12,920	199	1,300	1,500
43	Pacific	6,780	319	1,183	1,502
44	Crestwood	11,859	115	1,393	1,508
45	Independence	117,139	201	1,327	1,528
46	Waynesville	5,260	625	938	1,563
47	Carthage	14,699	188	1,385	1,573
48	Warrenton	8,388	242	1,348	1,590
49	Peculiar	5,305	229	1,375	1,604
50	Maryville	11,641	77	1,541	1,618

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.