| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Van Buren/100k people | Missouri/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 4 | n/a (estimate) | 523 | 2,403 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 7.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 130.7 | 45.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 51.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1 | n/a | 130.7 | 357.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 2 | n/a (estimate) | 261 | 462 | 359 |
| Burglary | 1 | n/a | 130.7 | 236.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1 | n/a | 130.7 | 1,306.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 398.4 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2 | n/a (estimate) | 261 | 1,941 | 1,760 |

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Van Buren crime rate is lower than the national average by 75.3%. Specifically, there were 2 violent crimes in Van Buren, equivalent to 261 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 27.2%. Furthermore, Van Buren recorded 2 property crimes, amounting to 261 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 85.2%.
Van Buren enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, standing at just 523, a significant contrast to the national average of 2119. This distinction firmly establishes Van Buren as one of the safest places to reside in the entire United States. This crime rate is meticulously calculated, taking into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 individuals, providing a comprehensive perspective on the area's safety and livability.
Van Buren showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.
Property crime rates per 100,000 people have declined steadily since 1990, but did see a slight increase in recent years. Based on the most recent crime data, Van Buren has a property crime rate of 261 crimes per 100,000 people, which is far below the national average of 1760. This is a good indicator that Van Buren is a safe place to live.
The United States contends with some of the world's highest vehicle theft rates, with approximately 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, only a modest fraction, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to have zero reported instances of stolen vehicles. Van Buren stands out as one of these cities, as it reported no vehicle thefts in the most recent crime report, underscoring its commitment to a secure environment.
To determine if Van Buren 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. Van Buren has a total crime rate that is 75% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.01 daily crimes (0.01 violent daily crimes and 0.01 daily property crimes) in Van Buren.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Van Buren, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 1.2%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
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 Van Buren, 78.3% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
In Van Buren, the average rental rates are $0 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

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| Item | Van Buren | Missouri | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 3 | 12,115 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.6 | 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 |
| Ellsinore, MO | 672 | 646 | 2,712 | 3,358 |
| Grandin, MO | 352 | 678 | 2,849 | 3,528 |
| Van Buren, MO | 1,268 | 261 | 261 | 523 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Oskaloosa, KS | 1,268 | 116 | 516 | 632 |
| Dover Beaches South, NJ | 1,268 | 31 | 200 | 231 |
| South Uniontown, PA | 1,268 | 96 | 558 | 654 |
| Manawa, WI | 1,268 | 113 | 471 | 584 |
| Oak Grove Heights, AR | 1,268 | 191 | 638 | 829 |
| Van Buren, MO | 1,268 | 261 | 261 | 523 |