| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | St. Louis/100k people | Missouri/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 19,616 | n/a (estimate) | 7,074 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 150 | n/a | 54.1 | 7.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 161 | n/a | 58.1 | 45.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 692 | n/a | 249.6 | 51.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 2,788 | n/a | 1,005.4 | 357.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 3,791 | n/a (estimate) | 1,367 | 462 | 359 |
| Burglary | 2,273 | n/a | 819.7 | 236.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 9,462 | n/a | 3,412.3 | 1,306.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 4,090 | n/a | 1,475.0 | 398.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 15,825 | n/a (estimate) | 5,707 | 1,941 | 1,760 |
The St. Louis crime rates are 233.8% 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 3791 violent crimes in St. Louis (1367 per 100,000 people), which is 280.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 15825 property crimes (5707 per 100,000 residents) which is 224.2% higher than average.
In St. Louis, the crime rate stands at 7074 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 233.81%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in St. Louis that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
St. Louis is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1367 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in St. Louis is 1 in 74.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. St. Louis is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 150 murders in St. Louis, which equates to 54 murders per 100,000 people. This results in St. Louis being a very dangerous place to live.
Every year, one in 18 people fall victim to a property crime in St. Louis - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 5707 per 100,000 people, St. Louis 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.
With a total of 4090 vehicle thefts last year, St. Louis has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 1475 per 100,000 people. This lands St. Louis in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 68.
What do the local residents think about crime in St. Louis? Well, based on a recent survey of 428 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 19% of St. Louis residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 81% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether St. Louis is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, St. Louis has an overall crime rate that is 234% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 53.74 daily occurrences, comprising 10.39 violent crimes and 43.36 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of St. Louis as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in St. Louis. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in St. Louis has decreased by 4.5%. Violent crimes have decreased by 13.6%, while property crimes have decreased by 2%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
The St. Louis area comprises a diverse array of over 77 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Hi-Pointe, Missouri Botanical Garden and Princeton Heights which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Fountain Park, Mark Twain and Academy exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different St. Louis neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.
In St. Louis, the cost of living is 10.03% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In St. Louis, there are 5.86 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.
In St. Louis, the median home price stands at $255,582, diverging from the national average of $326,622. 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.
| Item | St. Louis | Missouri | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 1,866 | 12,115 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 5.9 | 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 |
| Millstadt, IL | 3,967 | 0 | 179 | 179 |
| Smithton, IL | 4,157 | 0 | 233 | 233 |
| Oakland, MO | 1,587 | 65 | 272 | 337 |
| Maryville, IL | 8,220 | 60 | 288 | 348 |
| Glendale, MO | 6,004 | 17 | 366 | 383 |
| Pasadena Hills, MO | 1,159 | 84 | 354 | 438 |
| Warson Woods, MO | 2,457 | 0 | 457 | 457 |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 1,367 | 5,707 | 7,074 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| St. Paul, MN | 315,338 | 618 | 2,834 | 3,452 |
| Stockton, CA | 318,307 | 1,146 | 2,640 | 3,785 |
| Henderson, NV | 320,734 | 272 | 1,715 | 1,987 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 427 | 2,280 | 2,707 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,429 | 846 | 3,829 | 4,675 |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 1,367 | 5,707 | 7,074 |
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