F
172%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
283%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
151%
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 peopleSpringfield/100k peopleMissouri/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime10,744n/a (estimate)6,3272,8282,324
Murder17n/a10.010.16.3
Rape190n/a111.948.940.0
Robbery309n/a182.054.866.1
Assault1,892n/a1,114.1374.2268.2
Violent crime2,408n/a (estimate)1,418488370
Burglary1,368n/a805.5295.8269.8
Theft5,819n/a3,426.51,557.21,401.9
Vehicle theft1,149n/a676.6487.1282.7
Property crime8,336n/a (estimate)4,9092,3401,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Springfield, MO

The Springfield crime rates are 172.2% higher 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 2408 violent crimes in Springfield (1418 per 100,000 people), which is 283.4% higher than the national average and there were a total of 8336 property crimes (4909 per 100,000 residents) which is 151.2% higher than average.

Having a crime rate of 6327 per 100,000 residents, Springfield experiences a crime rate that is 172.21% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Springfield contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Springfield ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 1418 per 100,000 people, Springfield is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 71 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Springfield, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Springfield stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Springfield, there were a total of 17 murders, translating to 10 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

Springfield reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4909 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 21 chance of falling victim to property crime in Springfield, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Springfield ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 1149 vehicle thefts, amounting to 677 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Springfield 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 148.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Springfield?

AreaVibes surveyed 257 local residents in Springfield to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 21% of people answered that there was very little crime in Springfield and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 79% 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 Springfield a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Springfield 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 Springfield crime rate is 172% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 29.44 crimes per day - 6.6 violent crimes and 22.84 property crimes.

Has Crime in Springfield Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Springfield. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Springfield has decreased by 21%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 9.2%, while property crime has decreased by 23.8%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Springfield.

Potential Causes for Crime in Springfield

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. Springfield, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.1%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Springfield, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.47, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Springfield has a median home price of $122,200, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Springfield crime map



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

      • Springfield crime rates are 172% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Springfield are 283% higher than the national average
      • In Springfield you have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Springfield is safer than 1% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Springfield has decreased by 21%

      Springfield, MO Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Springfield

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        Daily Crime In Springfield (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Springfield, MO per 100,000 people. In Springfield, the total number of daily crimes is 2.24 times more than the Missouri average and 2.72 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Springfield is 2.91 times more than the Missouri average and 3.83 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Springfield has a daily crime rate that is 2.10 times more than the Missouri average and 2.51 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Springfield (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Missouri and all other cities across the US, is Springfield safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Springfield is safer than 3% of other cities in the state of Missouri. In addition, Springfield is safer than 1% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Missouri and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Springfield. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Springfield is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Springfield

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Springfield is 1 in 71
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Springfield is 1 in 21
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Springfield is 1 in 16
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Springfield, Missouri? If you reside in Springfield, then there is a 1 in 71 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 21. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 16 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Springfield.

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

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Springfield, Missouri (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Springfield has decreased by 10%, the amount of property crime in Springfield has decreased by 24%, and the total amount of crime in Springfield has decreased by 21% year over year.

        Springfield police department

        Item Springfield Missouri National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)39712,115558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.53.73.3
        There are a total of 397 Springfield police officers. This results in 2.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 33.9% less than the Missouri average and 24.1% 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
        Fremont Hills, MO1,05868328397
        Battlefield, MO6,375165642806
        Republic, MO16,57167760826
        Nixa, MO22,08672841913
        Willard, MO5,567311607918
        Sparta, MO2,1673566621,018
        Rogersville, MO4,0962218451,066
        Springfield, MO167,6011,4184,9096,327

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Corona, CA168,1122162,4032,619
        Fort Collins, CO166,0693212,6062,927
        Cary, NC169,177801,1061,185
        Eugene, OR170,4573773,4153,792
        Jackson, MS163,7783702,6423,012
        Springfield, MO167,6011,4184,9096,327
        Source: The Springfield, 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.