C-
2%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
5%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
3%
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 peopleOttawa/100k peopleKansas/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime287n/a (estimate)2,2802,4072,324
Murder0n/a0.04.66.3
Rape14n/a111.245.540.0
Robbery4n/a31.829.266.1
Assault31n/a246.3335.4268.2
Violent crime49n/a (estimate)389415370
Burglary32n/a254.3273.4269.8
Theft200n/a1,589.11,488.71,401.9
Vehicle theft6n/a47.7230.2282.7
Property crime238n/a (estimate)1,8911,9921,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Ottawa, KS

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Ottawa is 1.9% lower 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 Ottawa, there were 49 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 389 per 100,000 individuals, 5.3% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 238 property crimes, amounting to 1891 per 100,000 residents, 3.2% lower than the U.S. average.

When assessing the total crime rate in Ottawa 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 Ottawa, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

Ottawa exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 389 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 370. This uniformity underscores Ottawa as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.

In the most recently reported crime year, Ottawa 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.

Ottawa maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Ottawa, 1891 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

Is Ottawa a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Ottawa 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. Ottawa has a total crime rate that is 2% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.79 daily crimes (0.13 violent daily crimes and 0.65 daily property crimes) in Ottawa.

Has Crime in Ottawa Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Ottawa. 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 Ottawa has increased by 46.4%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 29%, while property crime has increased by 50.6%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Ottawa.

Potential Causes for Crime in Ottawa

Ottawa has a population density of 1192.5 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Ottawa crime rates.

In Ottawa, the cost of living is 22.21% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

In Ottawa, the median home price stands at $114,700, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Ottawa crime map



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

      • Ottawa crime rates are 2% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Ottawa are 5% higher than the national average
      • In Ottawa you have a 1 in 44 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Ottawa is safer than 27% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Ottawa has increased by 43%

      Ottawa, KS Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Ottawa (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Ottawa for every 100,000 residents. The Ottawa total amount of daily crime is 1.06 times less than the Kansas average and 1.02 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Ottawa, is 1.06 times less than the Kansas average, and it is 1.05 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Ottawa has a daily crime average that is 1.05 times less than the Kansas average and 1.03 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Ottawa (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Kansas and all other cities across the US, is Ottawa safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Ottawa is safer than 35% of other cities in the state of Kansas. In addition, Ottawa is safer than 27% 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 Ottawa. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Ottawa is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Ottawa

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Ottawa is 1 in 257
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Ottawa is 1 in 53
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Ottawa is 1 in 44
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Ottawa? In Ottawa, KS you have a 1 in 257 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 53 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 44 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Ottawa.

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

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Ottawa, KS is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Ottawa has increased by 26%, while the property crime rate in Ottawa has increased by 47% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Ottawa has increased by 43% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Ottawa police department

        Item Ottawa Kansas National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)315,262558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.42.53.3
        There are a total of 31 Ottawa police officers. This results in 2.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 1.3% less than the Kansas average and 24.8% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Kansas

        State Total offenders Kansas /100K National /100K
        Kansas9,632349266
        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
        Wellsville, KS1,921208728937
        Edgerton, KS1,750172824996
        Baldwin City, KS4,6843637061,070
        Pomona, KS1,1905152,4742,990
        Lane, KS2175182,4863,004
        Princeton, KS2095672,7213,288
        Williamsburg, KS3425802,7863,366
        Ottawa, KS12,3083891,8912,280

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Effingham, IL12,3103122,7323,044
        Gladstone, OR12,3162012,8463,047
        Cambridge, MD12,3005452,2382,783
        Belmont, NC12,2921963,5563,752
        West Plains, MO12,2904163,2573,673
        Ottawa, KS12,3083891,8912,280
        Source: The Ottawa, KS 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.