F
43%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
106%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
31%
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 peopleForest/100k peopleMississippi/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime175n/a (estimate)3,3261,9922,324
Murder1n/a19.07.86.3
Rape0n/a0.033.740.0
Robbery12n/a228.125.666.1
Assault27n/a513.1178.0268.2
Violent crime40n/a (estimate)760245370
Burglary74n/a1,406.3350.2269.8
Theft51n/a969.21,222.61,401.9
Vehicle theft10n/a190.0173.9282.7
Property crime135n/a (estimate)2,5661,7471,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Forest, MS

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Forest is 43.1% 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 Forest, there were 40 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 760 per 100,000 individuals, 105.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 135 property crimes, amounting to 2566 per 100,000 residents, 31.3% higher than the U.S. average.

Forest has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 760 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Forest falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 132 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.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Forest ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Forest, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 19 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Forest?

What do the local residents think about crime in Forest? Well, based on a recent survey of 6 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 33% of Forest residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 67% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Forest a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Forest 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, Forest has an overall crime rate that is 43% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.48 daily occurrences, comprising 0.11 violent crimes and 0.37 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Forest as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Forest Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Forest. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Forest has decreased by 0.6%. Violent crimes have increased by 29%, while property crimes have decreased by 6.9%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Forest

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Forest crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Forest has an unemployment rate of 4.5%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Forest, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 0 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

The median home price in Forest is $98,500, 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.

Forest crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Forest crime rates are 43% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Forest are 106% higher than the national average
      • In Forest you have a 1 in 31 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Forest is safer than 9% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Forest has increased by 3%

      Forest, MS Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Forest

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        Daily Crime In Forest (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Forest, per 100,000 residents. In Forest, the total number of daily crimes is 1.67 times more than the Mississippi average and 1.43 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Forest are 3.10 times more than the Mississippi average and 2.06 times more than the national average. For property crime, Forest has a daily crime rate that is 1.47 times more than the Mississippi average and 1.31 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Forest (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Forest to every other city in Mississippi, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Forest safe? The gauges above illustrate that Forest is safer than 10% of every city located within Mississippi along with 9% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Mississippi and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Forest, MS is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Forest

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Forest is 1 in 132
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Forest is 1 in 39
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Forest is 1 in 31
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Forest? If you reside in Forest, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 132. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 39 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Forest, is 1 in 31.

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

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Forest, MS is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Forest has increased by 34%, while the property crime rate in Forest has decreased by 3% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Forest has increased by 3% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Forest police department

        Item Forest Mississippi National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)n/a4,806558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a3.83.3

        Sex offenders in Mississippi

        State Total offenders Mississippi /100K National /100K
        Mississippi11,060380266
        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
        Hillsboro, MS1,090119851970
        Conehatta, MS1,2391339461,078
        Morton, MS3,5936181,0401,658
        Sebastopol, MS3252171,5491,766
        Polkville, MS5032992,1352,435
        Lake, MS5073272,3302,657
        Forest, MS5,5697602,5663,326

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Rutherford, PA5,5682591,3721,631
        Garnet, CA5,5676503,0483,698
        Zapata, TX5,5673882,0642,451
        Willard, MO5,567311607918
        Okeechobee, FL5,5742901,7542,044
        Forest, MS5,5697602,5663,326
        Source: The Forest, 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.