Lawrence, KS Crime Rates: Stats & Map

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D-

24%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

29%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

23%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Lawrence_{/100k people}	Kansas_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	2,530	n/a (estimate)	2,618	2,395	2,119
Murder	5	n/a	5.2	3.8	5.0
Rape	72	n/a	74.5	44.1	37.5
Robbery	32	n/a	33.1	30.9	60.6
Assault	337	n/a	348.7	359.9	256.1
Violent crime	446	n/a (estimate)	462	439	359
Burglary	222	n/a	229.7	261.6	229.2
Theft	1,703	n/a	1,762.3	1,458.5	1,272.1
Vehicle theft	159	n/a	164.5	236.3	258.8
Property crime	2,084	n/a (estimate)	2,157	1,956	1,760

Lawrence crime map

The Lawrence crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Lawrence 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 Lawrence crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Lawrence 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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An Overview of Crime Rates in Lawrence, KS

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Lawrence crime rate is 23.5% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Lawrence, there were 446 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 462 per 100,000 individuals, 28.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, Lawrence recorded 2084 property crimes, amounting to 2157 per 100,000 residents, 22.5% higher than the U.S. average.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lawrence?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lawrence residents. Out of the respondents (38 in total), 63% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lawrence were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 37% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Lawrence a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Lawrence 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. Lawrence has a total crime rate that is 24% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 6.93 daily crimes (1.22 violent daily crimes and 5.71 daily property crimes) in Lawrence.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lawrence

Lawrence has a poverty rate of 18.8, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

In Lawrence, 91.9% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community 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.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Lawrence, the cost of living is 2.19% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

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Compare Lawrence, KS Crime

Crime Quick Facts

Lawrence crime rates are 24% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Lawrence are 29% higher than the national average
In Lawrence you have a 1 in 39 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Lawrence is safer than 16% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Lawrence has increased by 180%

Lawrence, KS Crime Quiz

Safest Places to Live in and Around Lawrence

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Daily Crime In Lawrence (per 100,000 people)

The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Lawrence, per 100,000 residents. In Lawrence, the total number of daily crimes is 1.09 times more than the Kansas average and 1.24 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Lawrence are 1.05 times more than the Kansas average and 1.29 times more than the national average. For property crime, Lawrence has a daily crime rate that is 1.10 times more than the Kansas average and 1.23 times more than the daily national average.

How Safe is Lawrence (higher is better)

Compared to the other cities in Kansas and all other cities across the US, is Lawrence safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Lawrence is safer than 14% of other cities in the state of Kansas. In addition, Lawrence is safer than 16% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Kansas and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Lawrence. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Lawrence is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lawrence

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lawrence is 1 in 217

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lawrence is 1 in 47

The chance of being a victim of crime in Lawrence is 1 in 39

Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Lawrence? In Lawrence, you have a 1 in 217 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 47. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Lawrence, KS is 1 in 39.

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

The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Lawrence, KS is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Lawrence has increased by 194%, while the property crime rate in Lawrence has increased by 177% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Lawrence has increased by 180% with regards to total crimes year over year.

Lawrence police department

Item	Lawrence	Kansas	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	184	5,262	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	2.1	2.5	3.3

There are a total of 184 Lawrence police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.6% less than the Kansas average and 36.5% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in Kansas

State	Total offenders	Kansas_/100K	National_/100K
Kansas	9,632	349	266

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}
Eudora, KS	6,796	15	324	339
Tonganoxie, KS	5,519	191	175	366
Edgerton, KS	1,800	142	633	775
Perry, KS	1,323	151	674	826
Baldwin City, KS	4,845	161	1,148	1,309
Linwood, KS	429	487	2,169	2,656
Lecompton, KS	890	516	2,301	2,817
Lawrence, KS	99,660	462	2,157	2,618

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Yuma, AZ	99,763	424	1,247	1,671
San Marcos, CA	99,851	222	660	882
Flint, MI	99,436	1,258	1,312	2,570
Longmont, CO	99,360	469	2,619	3,088
Bend, OR	99,174	168	1,362	1,530
Lawrence, KS	99,660	462	2,157	2,618

Source: The Lawrence, KS crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.