| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Ferguson/100k people | Missouri/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 870 | n/a (estimate) | 4,786 | 2,828 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 9 | n/a | 49.5 | 10.1 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 5.5 | 48.9 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 25 | n/a | 137.5 | 54.8 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 111 | n/a | 610.6 | 374.2 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 146 | n/a (estimate) | 803 | 488 | 370 |
| Burglary | 61 | n/a | 335.6 | 295.8 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 371 | n/a | 2,040.9 | 1,557.2 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 292 | n/a | 1,606.3 | 487.1 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 724 | n/a (estimate) | 3,983 | 2,340 | 1,954 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Ferguson is 105.9% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Ferguson, there were 146 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 803 per 100,000 individuals, 117.2% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 724 property crimes, amounting to 3983 per 100,000 residents, 103.8% higher than the U.S. average.
With a total of 4786 crimes per 100,000 people, the Ferguson crime rates stand at 105.92 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Ferguson, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.
Ferguson ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 803 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Ferguson stand at 1 in every 125 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Ferguson is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 9 murders in Ferguson, which equates to 50 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Ferguson being a very dangerous place to live.
Every year, one in 26 people fall victim to a property crime in Ferguson - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 3983 per 100,000 people, Ferguson has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Ferguson ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 292 vehicle thefts, amounting to 1606 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Ferguson within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 63.
What do the local residents think about crime in Ferguson? Well, based on a recent survey of 46 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 28% of Ferguson residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 72% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Ferguson is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Ferguson has a total crime rate that is 106% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.38 daily crimes (0.4 violent daily crimes and 1.98 daily property crimes) in Ferguson.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Ferguson has decreased by 27.7%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Ferguson, 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 increased by 3.6%, while property crime has decreased by 31.8%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Ferguson is a safe place to live.
The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Ferguson crime rate. The poverty level in Ferguson is 23.6%, while the national average is 15.1%.
Ferguson reports an unemployment rate of 5.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Ferguson crime rates.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Ferguson, 84.5% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
| Item | Ferguson | Missouri | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 58 | 12,115 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 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 |
| Calverton Park, MO | 1,430 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oakland, MO | 1,538 | 68 | 328 | 397 |
| Grantwood Village, MO | 947 | 68 | 328 | 397 |
| Bethalto, IL | 9,258 | 172 | 430 | 601 |
| Glendale, MO | 5,881 | 0 | 623 | 623 |
| Ballwin, MO | 30,177 | 29 | 646 | 676 |
| Warson Woods, MO | 2,387 | 50 | 651 | 701 |
| Ferguson, MO | 20,631 | 803 | 3,983 | 4,786 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Marquette, MI | 20,631 | 196 | 680 | 876 |
| Fernley, NV | 20,616 | 550 | 2,885 | 3,435 |
| Gardner, MA | 20,605 | 203 | 853 | 1,055 |
| Secaucus, NJ | 20,667 | 234 | 2,924 | 3,158 |
| Merrick, NY | 20,594 | 180 | 723 | 903 |
| Ferguson, MO | 20,631 | 803 | 3,983 | 4,786 |
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