A+
79%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
81%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
78%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peoplePetal/100k peopleMississippi/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime57n/a (estimate)4921,9922,324
Murder0n/a0.07.86.3
Rape3n/a25.933.740.0
Robbery0n/a0.025.666.1
Assault5n/a43.2178.0268.2
Violent crime8n/a (estimate)69245370
Burglary24n/a207.3350.2269.8
Theft24n/a207.31,222.61,401.9
Vehicle theft1n/a8.6173.9282.7
Property crime49n/a (estimate)4231,7471,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Petal, MS

The Petal crime rates are 78.8% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 8 violent crimes in Petal (69 per 100,000 people), which is 81.3% lower than the national average and there were a total of 49 property crimes (423 per 100,000 residents) which is 78.4% lower than average.

With a crime rate of 492, significantly below the national average of 2324, Petal stands out as one of the safest places to reside in the United States. This distinction is primarily attributed to the calculation of total crimes, which encompasses both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents.

Petal shines as one of the safest cities in the United States, thanks to its remarkably low rate of only 69 violent incidents per 100,000 residents. This impressive safety record has made Petal an attractive choice for individuals seeking a secure and hospitable community to call home.

In the latest reported crime year, Petal recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

Property crime rates per 100,000 people have declined steadily since 1990, but did see a slight increase in recent years. Based on the most recent crime data, Petal has a property crime rate of 423 crimes per 100,000 people, which is far below the national average of 1954. This is a good indicator that Petal is a safe place to live.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Petal?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Petal residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 12 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 67% of Petal residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 33% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Petal a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Petal a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Petal crime rate is 79% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.16 crimes per day - 0.02 violent crimes and 0.13 property crimes.

Has Crime in Petal Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Petal has decreased by 17.4%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Petal, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 46.7%, while property crime has decreased by 9.3%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Petal is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Petal

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Petal crime rates. In Petal, the poverty rate stands at 13.6%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Petal, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 2.7%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

The median home price in Petal is $136,900, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Petal crime map



The Petal crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Petal as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Petal crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Petal crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
New Real Estate Listings in Petal Area
Search Homes for Sale in Petal, MS

Compare Petal, MS Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Petal crime rates are 79% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Petal are 81% lower than the national average
      • In Petal you have a 1 in 204 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Petal is safer than 86% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Petal has decreased by 24%

      Petal, MS Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Petal

        See all the best places to live around Petal
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Petal?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Petal?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Petal poll results

        Daily Crime In Petal (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Petal on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Mississippi and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Petal (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Mississippi, are 4.05 times less than the state average and 4.72 times less than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Petal on a daily basis are 3.55 times less than than Mississippi average and 5.35 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Petal are 4.13 times less than the daily state average and 4.62 times less than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Petal (higher is better)

        Is Petal safe in comparison to other cities in the state of Mississippi as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Petal to other cities in the state and across the country, Petal is 89% safer than other cities of Mississippi and 86% safer than other cities in the nation. Petal has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Petal

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Petal is 1 in 1448
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Petal is 1 in 237
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Petal is 1 in 204
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Petal? If you reside in Petal, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 1448. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 237 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Petal, is 1 in 204.

        Year Over Year Crime In Petal (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Petal, MS is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Petal has decreased by 51%, while the property crime rate in Petal has decreased by 16% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Petal has decreased by 24% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Petal police department

        Item Petal Mississippi National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)284,806558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.63.83.3
        There are a total of 28 Petal police officers. This results in 2.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 30.7% less than the Mississippi average and 18.8% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Mississippi

        State Total offenders Mississippi /100K National /100K
        Mississippi11,060380266
        There are a total of 11,060 sex offenders in Mississippi. This yields a total of 380 sex offenders in Mississippi per 100,000 residents which is 43% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Arnold Line, MS1,65483591674
        Glendale, MS1,483107760867
        Purvis, MS2,1982051,0251,230
        West Hattiesburg, MS5,9441791,2741,452
        New Augusta, MS4613192,2742,593
        Hattiesburg, MS46,0103444,4794,823
        Petal, MS10,62469423492

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Gardere, LA10,6296382,7883,427
        East Liverpool, OH10,6324142,5112,925
        Roscoe, IL10,63255546601
        Lansdowne, PA10,6372651,4031,668
        Broomall, PA10,608125661786
        Petal, MS10,62469423492
        Source: The Petal, MS crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.