B-
29%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
15%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
31%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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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 peopleWaynesville/100k peopleMissouri/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime90n/a (estimate)1,6612,8282,324
Murder0n/a0.010.16.3
Rape5n/a92.348.940.0
Robbery1n/a18.554.866.1
Assault11n/a203.0374.2268.2
Violent crime17n/a (estimate)314488370
Burglary8n/a147.6295.8269.8
Theft56n/a1,033.41,557.21,401.9
Vehicle theft9n/a166.1487.1282.7
Property crime73n/a (estimate)1,3472,3401,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Waynesville, MO

The Waynesville crime rates are 28.5% 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 17 violent crimes in Waynesville (314 per 100,000 people), which is 15.2% lower than the national average and there were a total of 73 property crimes (1347 per 100,000 residents) which is 31.1% lower than average.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Waynesville reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Waynesville?

AreaVibes surveyed 8 local residents in Waynesville to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 63% of people answered that there was very little crime in Waynesville and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 38% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Waynesville a Safe Place to Live?

Is Waynesville a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Waynesville has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 29%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.25 daily incidents, encompassing 0.05 violent crimes and 0.2 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Waynesville as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Waynesville Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Waynesville has decreased by 18.2%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Waynesville, 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 46.9%, while property crime has decreased by 6.4%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Waynesville is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Waynesville

In Waynesville, the current unemployment rate stands at 3.7%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Waynesville crime rates.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Waynesville, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.43 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

In Waynesville, the median home price stands at $169,400, diverging from the national average of $184,700. 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.

Waynesville crime map



The Waynesville crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Waynesville 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 Waynesville crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Waynesville 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.
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Compare Waynesville, MO Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Waynesville crime rates are 29% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Waynesville are 15% lower than the national average
      • In Waynesville you have a 1 in 61 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Waynesville is safer than 39% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Waynesville has decreased by 19%

      Waynesville, MO Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Waynesville (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Waynesville, Missouri is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Waynesville are 1.70 times less than the Missouri average and 1.40 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Waynesville are 1.56 times less than than Missouri and 1.18 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Waynesville are 1.74 times less than than Missouri and 1.45 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Waynesville (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Waynesville in comparison to other Missouri communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Waynesville safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Waynesville being safer than 44% of cities in Missouri and 39% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Missouri cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Waynesville. In conclusion, Waynesville ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Waynesville

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Waynesville is 1 in 319
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Waynesville is 1 in 75
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Waynesville is 1 in 61
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Waynesville? In Waynesville, you have a 1 in 319 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 75. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Waynesville, MO is 1 in 61.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Waynesville is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Waynesville has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 47% in Waynesville, while property crimes in Waynesville have decreased by 8%. Total crime has decreased by 19% year over year.

        Waynesville police department

        Item Waynesville Missouri National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1212,115558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.43.73.3
        There are a total of 12 Waynesville police officers. This results in 2.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 34.9% less than the Missouri average and 25.3% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Missouri

        State Total offenders Missouri /100K National /100K
        Missouri19,657344266
        There are a total of 19,657 sex offenders in Missouri. This yields a total of 344 sex offenders in Missouri per 100,000 residents which is 29% 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
        Crocker, MO89901,2021,202
        Richland, MO2,3881161,3331,448
        St. Robert, MO6,1933651,7522,117
        Dixon, MO9912473,0403,287
        Waynesville, MO5,2603141,3471,661

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Bowling Green, MO5,2595792,7753,353
        North Sea, NY5,263111447559
        Monticello, IN5,2553091,5591,868
        Greenacres, CA5,2554181,9572,375
        Briar, TX5,2552711,4441,715
        Waynesville, MO5,2603141,3471,661
        Source: The Waynesville, MO 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.