| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Independence/100k people | Missouri/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 4,925 | n/a (estimate) | 4,095 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 11 | n/a | 9.1 | 7.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 108 | n/a | 89.8 | 45.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 91 | n/a | 75.7 | 51.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 477 | n/a | 396.6 | 357.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 687 | n/a (estimate) | 571 | 462 | 359 |
| Burglary | 490 | n/a | 407.4 | 236.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,768 | n/a | 2,301.5 | 1,306.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 980 | n/a | 814.8 | 398.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 4,238 | n/a (estimate) | 3,524 | 1,941 | 1,760 |
The Independence crime rates are 93.2% 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 687 violent crimes in Independence (571 per 100,000 people), which is 59.1% higher than the national average and there were a total of 4238 property crimes (3524 per 100,000 residents) which is 100.2% higher than average.
With a crime rate of 4095 per 100,000 residents, Independence has a crime rate that is 93.23% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Independence that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.
Every year, one in 29 people fall victim to a property crime in Independence - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 3524 per 100,000 people, Independence 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.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Independence ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 980 vehicle thefts, amounting to 815 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Independence 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 123.
What do the local residents think about crime in Independence? Well, based on a recent survey of 82 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 22% of Independence residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 78% 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 Independence 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. Independence has a total crime rate that is 93% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 13.49 daily crimes (1.88 violent daily crimes and 11.61 daily property crimes) in Independence.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Independence has decreased by 2.6%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Independence, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 1.9%, while property crime has decreased by 3.2%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Independence is a safe place to live.
Independence reports an unemployment rate of 3.7%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Independence crime rates.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Independence, 83.1% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
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 Independence, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.29 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.
| Item | Independence | Missouri | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 269 | 12,115 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.3 | 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 |
| Oakview, MO | 455 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Platte Woods, MO | 586 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Weatherby Lake, MO | 2,562 | 72 | 304 | 377 |
| Lake Tapawingo, MO | 999 | 0 | 519 | 519 |
| Fairway, KS | 4,086 | 144 | 385 | 530 |
| Lake Lotawana, MO | 3,033 | 0 | 889 | 889 |
| Mission Woods, KS | 189 | 177 | 790 | 968 |
| Independence, MO | 120,977 | 571 | 3,524 | 4,095 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Fairfield, CA | 121,000 | 498 | 1,686 | 2,184 |
| Richardson, TX | 121,339 | 147 | 1,834 | 1,980 |
| Cambridge, MA | 121,456 | 437 | 2,644 | 3,081 |
| Clearwater, FL | 120,302 | 220 | 1,172 | 1,393 |
| Rochester, MN | 121,687 | 154 | 1,368 | 1,522 |
| Independence, MO | 120,977 | 571 | 3,524 | 4,095 |
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