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.

Brandon Population: 24,088 428 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 86 Property Crime / 100k: 343 chance of being a victim: 1 in 233

Brandon proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Mississippi. With only 428 crimes per 100,000 people, Brandon has a crime rate that is 74% lower than the Mississippi average. This equates to an average of 0.30 crimes per day and a 1 in 233 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.

Petal Population: 10,624 432 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 379 chance of being a victim: 1 in 231

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Petal comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Mississippi with a crime rate of 432 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 194 counts of burglary, 168 counts of theft, 18 counts of vehicle theft, 53 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Petal, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Hernando Population: 16,206 596 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 54 Property Crime / 100k: 542 chance of being a victim: 1 in 168

With a population of 16,206 and a total crime rate of 596 per 100,000 residents, Hernando is the 3rd safest city in Mississippi. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 82% 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.

Madison Population: 25,650 662 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 619 chance of being a victim: 1 in 151

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Madison 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 662, 72% lower than the Mississippi average. This amounts to 0.50 crimes per day and a 1 in 151 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 Madison a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Holly Springs Population: 7,727 680 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 178 Property Crime / 100k: 503 chance of being a victim: 1 in 147

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Holly Springs consistently ranks high in safety. In Holly Springs, 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 680, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Richland Population: 7,203 1,017 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 122 Property Crime / 100k: 895 chance of being a victim: 1 in 98

Richland 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 1,017 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Mississippi average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 163 reports of burglary, 664 reports of theft, 68 reports of vehicle theft, 95 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 27 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Long Beach Population: 15,829 1,067 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 17 Property Crime / 100k: 1,049 chance of being a victim: 1 in 94

Long Beach ranks as the seventh safest city in Mississippi and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 94 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.50 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. Long Beach’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Mississippi.

Clinton Population: 24,797 1,335 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 109 Property Crime / 100k: 1,226 chance of being a victim: 1 in 75

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Clinton is the 8th safest city in Mississippi. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 73% lower than the Mississippi average, reporting a total of 1,335 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.

Waveland Population: 6,352 1,628 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 1,598 chance of being a victim: 1 in 61

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Waveland 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 1,628 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Byram Population: 11,519 1,639 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 103 Property Crime / 100k: 1,536 chance of being a victim: 1 in 61

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Mississippi, is Byram. With a low rate of crime that included 95 burglaries, 1,106 thefts, 334 vehicle thefts, 56 assaults, 24 robberies, 16 rapes and 8 homicides, the overall crime rate was 87% 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	Brandon	24,088	86	343	428
2	Petal	10,624	53	379	432
3	Hernando	16,206	54	542	596
4	Madison	25,650	43	619	662
5	Holly Springs	7,727	178	503	680
6	Richland	7,203	122	895	1,017
7	Long Beach	15,829	17	1,049	1,067
8	Clinton	24,797	109	1,226	1,335
9	Waveland	6,352	29	1,598	1,628
10	Byram	11,519	103	1,536	1,639
11	Pass Christian	6,079	0	1,900	1,900
12	Oxford	27,662	145	1,772	1,917
13	Olive Branch	38,270	209	1,734	1,943
14	Kosciusko	6,778	190	1,782	1,972
15	Ridgeland	24,194	362	1,704	2,066
16	Horn Lake	27,234	83	1,992	2,075
17	New Albany	8,723	130	1,977	2,107
18	Flowood	9,213	37	2,079	2,116
19	Forest	5,569	530	1,816	2,345
20	Senatobia	7,759	241	2,165	2,405
21	West Point	10,517	889	1,543	2,433
22	Starkville	25,495	71	2,420	2,491
23	Gautier	18,436	280	2,215	2,495
24	Amory	6,873	313	2,207	2,520
25	Bay St. Louis	13,539	80	2,832	2,912
26	Pontotoc	6,070	309	2,780	3,089
27	Louisville	6,063	625	2,552	3,177
28	Picayune	11,016	381	2,905	3,286
29	Brookhaven	12,045	293	3,011	3,305
30	Southaven	55,026	214	3,250	3,464
31	Batesville	7,200	303	3,228	3,532
32	Vicksburg	22,045	639	3,381	4,020
33	Cleveland	11,363	682	3,430	4,113
34	Booneville	8,539	336	3,866	4,203
35	Pascagoula	21,732	219	4,122	4,341
36	Hattiesburg	46,010	255	4,237	4,491
37	Tupelo	38,251	443	4,288	4,731
38	Corinth	14,544	367	4,673	5,040
39	Laurel	18,403	1,016	4,922	5,938

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.