F
92%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
152%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
80%
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 peopleWichita/100k peopleKansas/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime17,563n/a (estimate)4,4542,4072,324
Murder31n/a7.94.66.3
Rape272n/a69.045.540.0
Robbery302n/a76.629.266.1
Assault3,065n/a777.4335.4268.2
Violent crime3,670n/a (estimate)931415370
Burglary1,689n/a428.4273.4269.8
Theft10,632n/a2,696.51,488.71,401.9
Vehicle theft1,572n/a398.7230.2282.7
Property crime13,893n/a (estimate)3,5241,9921,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Wichita, KS

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Wichita is 91.7% 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 Wichita, there were 3670 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 931 per 100,000 individuals, 151.7% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 13893 property crimes, amounting to 3524 per 100,000 residents, 80.3% higher than the U.S. average.

With a total of 4454 crimes per 100,000 people, the Wichita crime rates stand at 91.65 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 Wichita, 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.

Wichita has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 931 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Wichita falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 108 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.

Every year, one in 29 people fall victim to a property crime in Wichita - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 3524 per 100,000 people, Wichita 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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Wichita?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Wichita residents. Out of the respondents (249 in total), 32% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Wichita were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 68% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Wichita a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Wichita is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Wichita has an overall crime rate that is 92% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 48.12 daily occurrences, comprising 10.05 violent crimes and 38.06 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Wichita as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Wichita Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Wichita has decreased by 30.3% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Wichita is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 17.6%, while property crime has decreased by 33.1%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Wichita.

Wichita Neighborhood Crime Rates

Typically, densely populated areas in close proximity to the city center tend to experience higher crime rates compared to neighborhoods that are situated on the city's periphery. Wichita, an expansive urban metropolis, has more than 72 distinct neighborhoods, each bearing its unique crime rate characteristics. The prevalence of criminal activity varies significantly among these neighborhoods. Noteworthy among safest neighborhoods in Wichita are areas such as Delano Township, Westlink and Rockhurst, which provide residents with enhanced security and peace of mind. Conversely, neighborhoods like Fairmount, McCormick and Murdock are marked by a higher incidence of reported crimes, warranting prudent consideration for those seeking to avoid areas with potentially elevated safety concerns.

Potential Causes for Crime in Wichita

Wichita has a population density of 2411 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Wichita crime rates.

In Wichita, 83.1% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

In Wichita, the average rental rates are $821 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

Wichita crime map



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

  • Wichita crime rates are 92% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Wichita are 152% higher than the national average
  • In Wichita you have a 1 in 23 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Wichita is safer than 4% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Wichita has decreased by 31%

Wichita, KS Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Wichita (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Wichita, KS per 100,000 people. In Wichita, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.85 times more than the Kansas average and 1.92 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Wichita is 2.25 times more than the Kansas average and 2.52 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Wichita has a daily crime rate that is 1.77 times more than the Kansas average and 1.80 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Wichita (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Wichita to every other city in Kansas, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Wichita safe? The gauges above illustrate that Wichita is safer than 1% of every city located within Kansas along with 4% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Kansas and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Wichita, KS is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Wichita

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Wichita is 1 in 108
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Wichita is 1 in 29
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Wichita is 1 in 23
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Wichita? In Wichita, you have a 1 in 108 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 29. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Wichita, KS is 1 in 23.

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

        An ideal indicator of whether Wichita is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Wichita has decreased by 18% and the rate of property crime in Wichita has decreased by 34%. The total crime rate in Wichita has decreased by 31% year to year.

        Wichita police department

        Item Wichita Kansas National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)8215,262558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.12.53.3
        There are a total of 821 Wichita police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 14.2% less than the Kansas average and 34.7% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Kansas

        State Total offenders Kansas /100K National /100K
        Kansas9,632349266
        There are a total of 9,632 sex offenders in Kansas. This yields a total of 349 sex offenders in Kansas per 100,000 residents which is 31% 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
        Benton, KS898212318531
        Kechi, KS2,848125600725
        Clearwater, KS2,4370767767
        Colwich, KS1,354148711859
        Eastborough, KS755168805972
        Valley Center, KS7,8431749251,099
        Rose Hill, KS4,0861979461,143
        Wichita, KS390,5669313,5244,454

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        New Orleans, LA391,2491,4444,6416,085
        Tampa, FL395,9124971,6742,170
        Arlington, TX397,2695802,5253,105
        Cleveland, OH383,3311,6144,3175,931
        Bakersfield, CA379,8795463,9724,519
        Wichita, KS390,5669313,5244,454
        Source: The Wichita, KS 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.