| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Independence/100k people | Missouri/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 4,652 | n/a (estimate) | 3,837 | 2,828 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 12 | n/a | 9.9 | 10.1 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 112 | n/a | 92.4 | 48.9 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 91 | n/a | 75.0 | 54.8 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 425 | n/a | 350.5 | 374.2 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 640 | n/a (estimate) | 528 | 488 | 370 |
| Burglary | 446 | n/a | 367.8 | 295.8 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 2,655 | n/a | 2,189.6 | 1,557.2 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 911 | n/a | 751.3 | 487.1 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 4,012 | n/a (estimate) | 3,309 | 2,340 | 1,954 |
The Independence crime rates are 65.1% 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 640 violent crimes in Independence (528 per 100,000 people), which is 42.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 4012 property crimes (3309 per 100,000 residents) which is 69.3% higher than average.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Independence has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Independence reported 911 vehicle thefts, which equates to 751 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Independence is 1 in 134.
What do the local residents think about crime in Independence? Well, based on a recent survey of 74 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 24% of Independence residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 76% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Independence 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 Independence crime rate is 65% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 12.75 crimes per day - 1.75 violent crimes and 10.99 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Independence crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Independence has decreased by 8% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 5% and property crime has decreased by 8.4%.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Independence crime rates. The population density in Independence is 1502.4 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Independence, 83.1% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Independence, the cost of living is 16.74% lower than the national average.
| 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 |
| Lake Tapawingo, MO | 978 | 0 | 128 | 128 |
| Weatherby Lake, MO | 2,510 | 68 | 328 | 397 |
| Westwood Hills, KS | 473 | 168 | 805 | 972 |
| Oakview, MO | 445 | 0 | 1,102 | 1,102 |
| Oakwood, MO | 188 | 197 | 945 | 1,143 |
| Pleasant Valley, MO | 3,017 | 329 | 915 | 1,244 |
| Lake Lotawana, MO | 2,928 | 128 | 1,149 | 1,277 |
| Independence, MO | 117,139 | 528 | 3,309 | 3,837 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Rochester, MN | 117,134 | 223 | 1,873 | 2,096 |
| Beaumont, TX | 117,321 | 1,080 | 3,882 | 4,962 |
| Provo, UT | 116,886 | 147 | 1,399 | 1,547 |
| Lansing, MI | 117,488 | 1,279 | 2,691 | 3,970 |
| Fairfield, CA | 116,544 | 493 | 2,546 | 3,039 |
| Independence, MO | 117,139 | 528 | 3,309 | 3,837 |
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