| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Fort Scott/100k people | Kansas/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 150 | n/a (estimate) | 1,981 | 2,395 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 26.4 | 44.1 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2 | n/a | 26.4 | 30.9 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 18 | n/a | 237.7 | 359.9 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 22 | n/a (estimate) | 291 | 439 | 359 |
| Burglary | 15 | n/a | 198.1 | 261.6 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 108 | n/a | 1,426.1 | 1,458.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 5 | n/a | 66.0 | 236.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 128 | n/a (estimate) | 1,690 | 1,956 | 1,760 |

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Fort Scott is 6.5% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 22 violent crimes reported in Fort Scott, equivalent to 291 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 19.1%. Additionally, Fort Scott recorded 128 property crimes, amounting to 1690 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 4%.
When assessing the total crime rate in Fort Scott per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Fort Scott, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
In the most recently reported crime year, Fort Scott registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.
Fort Scott has a property crime rate that closely mirrors the national average. There were a total of 1690 property crimes in Fort Scott, while the national average was 1760 per 100,000 people. This results in the area being no safer or more dangerous than the average city.
What do the local residents think about crime in Fort Scott? Well, based on a recent survey of 5 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 20% of Fort Scott residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 80% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Fort Scott is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Fort Scott has a total crime rate that is 7% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.41 daily crimes (0.06 violent daily crimes and 0.35 daily property crimes) in Fort Scott.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Fort Scott. 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 Fort Scott has decreased by 22.7%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 4.4%, while property crime has decreased by 25.2%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Fort Scott.
Fort Scott has a poverty rate that stands at 18.2, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Fort Scott crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.
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. Fort Scott, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 2.4%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
In Fort Scott, 85.7% 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.

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| Item | Fort Scott | Kansas | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 25 | 5,262 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.1 | 2.5 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Kansas /100K | National /100K |
| Kansas | 9,632 | 349 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Moundville, MO | 111 | 657 | 2,760 | 3,417 |
| Mapleton, KS | 239 | 661 | 2,944 | 3,605 |
| Fulton, KS | 112 | 661 | 2,946 | 3,608 |
| Hepler, KS | 161 | 689 | 3,071 | 3,760 |
| Uniontown, KS | 363 | 697 | 3,107 | 3,805 |
| Arcadia, KS | 419 | 703 | 3,132 | 3,835 |
| Stotesbury, MO | 8 | 747 | 3,137 | 3,883 |
| Fort Scott, KS | 7,902 | 291 | 1,690 | 1,981 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Briarcliff Manor, NY | 7,902 | 133 | 604 | 737 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 7,901 | 144 | 633 | 777 |
| Wickenburg, AZ | 7,900 | 108 | 863 | 971 |
| Scotia, NY | 7,898 | 413 | 1,872 | 2,285 |
| South Weber, UT | 7,907 | 104 | 638 | 742 |
| Fort Scott, KS | 7,902 | 291 | 1,690 | 1,981 |