Ocean Springs, MS Crime Rates: Stats & Map

A-

2%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

73%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

16%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

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.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Ocean Springs_{/100k people}	Mississippi_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	434	n/a (estimate)	2,364	1,992	2,324
Murder	1	n/a	5.4	7.8	6.3
Rape	3	n/a	16.3	33.7	40.0
Robbery	5	n/a	27.2	25.6	66.1
Assault	9	n/a	49.0	178.0	268.2
Violent crime	18	n/a (estimate)	98	245	370
Burglary	35	n/a	190.6	350.2	269.8
Theft	352	n/a	1,917.1	1,222.6	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	29	n/a	157.9	173.9	282.7
Property crime	416	n/a (estimate)	2,266	1,747	1,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Ocean Springs, MS

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Ocean Springs is 1.7% 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 Ocean Springs, there were 18 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 98 per 100,000 individuals, 73.5% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 416 property crimes, amounting to 2266 per 100,000 residents, 15.9% higher than the U.S. average.

The Ocean Springs crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Ocean Springs, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.

Ocean Springs has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all cities in the United States. With a rate of 98 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Ocean Springs ranks among the safest cities in the United States making it an attractive choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Ocean Springs?

AreaVibes surveyed 15 local residents in Ocean Springs to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 67% of people answered that there was very little crime in Ocean Springs and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 33% 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 Ocean Springs a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs crime rate is 2% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.19 crimes per day - 0.05 violent crimes and 1.14 property crimes.

Has Crime in Ocean Springs Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Ocean Springs crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Ocean Springs has increased by 1.4% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 5.9% and property crime has increased by 1.2%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Ocean Springs

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Ocean Springs, the cost of living is 9.01% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The median home price in Ocean Springs is $173,100, 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.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Ocean Springs, the average rental rates are $1,005 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Ocean Springs crime map

The Ocean Springs crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Ocean Springs 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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Crime Quick Facts

Ocean Springs crime rates are 2% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Ocean Springs are 73% lower than the national average
In Ocean Springs you have a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Ocean Springs is safer than 54% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Ocean Springs has decreased by 2%

Ocean Springs, MS Crime Quiz

Safest Places to Live in and Around Ocean Springs

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Daily Crime In Ocean Springs (per 100,000 people)

The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Mississippi, are 1.19 times more than the state average and 1.02 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Ocean Springs on a daily basis are 2.50 times less than than Mississippi average and 3.77 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Ocean Springs are 1.30 times more than the daily state average and 1.16 times more than the daily national numbers.

How Safe is Ocean Springs (higher is better)

Is Ocean Springs 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 Ocean Springs to other cities in the state and across the country, Ocean Springs is 61% safer than other cities of Mississippi and 54% safer than other cities in the nation. Ocean Springs has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Ocean Springs

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Ocean Springs is 1 in 1021

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Ocean Springs is 1 in 45

The chance of being a victim of crime in Ocean Springs is 1 in 43

Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Ocean Springs? In Ocean Springs, you have a 1 in 1021 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 45. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Ocean Springs, MS is 1 in 43.

Year Over Year Crime In Ocean Springs (per 100,000 people)

A good indicator of whether Ocean Springs is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Ocean Springs has increased by 3%, while the property crime rate in Ocean Springs has decreased by 2% year over year. The number of total crimes in Ocean Springs has decreased by 2% year over year.

Ocean Springs police department

Item	Ocean Springs	Mississippi	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	55	4,806	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	3.1	3.8	3.3

There are a total of 55 Ocean Springs police officers. This results in 3.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 17.5% less than the Mississippi average and 3.4% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in Mississippi

State	Total offenders	Mississippi_/100K	National_/100K
Mississippi	11,060	380	266

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}
Vancleave, MS	4,934	147	1,050	1,197
Latimer, MS	6,148	158	1,126	1,284
Gulf Park Estates, MS	6,238	160	1,138	1,298
Gulf Hills, MS	8,824	161	1,146	1,307
Biloxi, MS	46,042	204	1,456	1,660
D'Iberville, MS	13,766	213	1,522	1,735
St. Martin, MS	8,211	224	1,597	1,820
Ocean Springs, MS	17,756	98	2,266	2,364

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Lackawanna, NY	17,751	401	1,747	2,148
Selma, AL	17,762	769	1,619	2,388
Maitland, FL	17,749	173	1,776	1,949
Gretna, LA	17,746	599	3,624	4,223
Franklin Park, IL	17,779	176	1,306	1,481
Ocean Springs, MS	17,756	98	2,266	2,364

Source: The Ocean Springs, 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.