| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Springfield/100k people | Missouri/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 10,744 | n/a (estimate) | 6,327 | 2,828 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 17 | n/a | 10.0 | 10.1 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 190 | n/a | 111.9 | 48.9 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 309 | n/a | 182.0 | 54.8 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 1,892 | n/a | 1,114.1 | 374.2 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 2,408 | n/a (estimate) | 1,418 | 488 | 370 |
| Burglary | 1,368 | n/a | 805.5 | 295.8 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 5,819 | n/a | 3,426.5 | 1,557.2 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,149 | n/a | 676.6 | 487.1 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 8,336 | n/a (estimate) | 4,909 | 2,340 | 1,954 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Item | Springfield | Missouri | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 397 | 12,115 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.5 | 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 |
| Fremont Hills, MO | 1,058 | 68 | 328 | 397 |
| Battlefield, MO | 6,375 | 165 | 642 | 806 |
| Republic, MO | 16,571 | 67 | 760 | 826 |
| Nixa, MO | 22,086 | 72 | 841 | 913 |
| Willard, MO | 5,567 | 311 | 607 | 918 |
| Sparta, MO | 2,167 | 356 | 662 | 1,018 |
| Rogersville, MO | 4,096 | 221 | 845 | 1,066 |
| Springfield, MO | 167,601 | 1,418 | 4,909 | 6,327 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Corona, CA | 168,112 | 216 | 2,403 | 2,619 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 166,069 | 321 | 2,606 | 2,927 |
| Cary, NC | 169,177 | 80 | 1,106 | 1,185 |
| Eugene, OR | 170,457 | 377 | 3,415 | 3,792 |
| Jackson, MS | 163,778 | 370 | 2,642 | 3,012 |
| Springfield, MO | 167,601 | 1,418 | 4,909 | 6,327 |
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