Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Payson, AZ has a Safety Score of 57/100 — safer than 57% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,490.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,290 of 2,971 US cities and #19 of 41 in Arizona.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Payson, Arizona Safe?
Payson, Arizona, "Heart of Arizona," is a small town in Gila County, nestled in the Mogollon Rim. Known for its rodeo heritage, it boasts a population of around 16,000, attracting retirees and outdoor enthusiasts.
Payson has a safety score of 57/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,490.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Payson ranks #19 out of 41 cities in Arizona and #1290 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 57th percentile for safety — safer than 57% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Payson are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Payson's total crime rate decreased by 34.7%, with violent crime declining 25.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Payson Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 45 | 267.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 0 | 0.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 44 | 261.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 206 | 1,222.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 37 | 219.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 147 | 872.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 22 | 130.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Payson vs Arizona Average
How does Payson's crime rate compare to the Arizona state average?
| Metric | Payson | Arizona Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 267.1 | 468.3 | -43.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,222.9 | 1,952.3 | -37.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.9 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,490.1 | 2,420.6 | -38.4% |
Payson Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Payson, Arizona.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16,845 | 1,490.1 | 267.1 | 1,222.9 |
| 2023 | 16,783 | 2,282.1 | 357.5 | 1,924.6 |
| 2022 | 16,638 | 2,127.7 | 504.9 | 1,622.8 |
| 2021 | 16,011 | 2,360.9 | 568.4 | 1,792.5 |
| 2020 | 15,869 | 2,728.6 | 630.2 | 2,098.4 |
| 2019 | 15,760 | 2,201.8 | 374.4 | 1,827.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Payson, Arizona safe?
Payson has a safety score of 57/100, meaning it has less crime than about 57% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,490.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Payson is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Payson, Arizona?
According to FBI data for 2024, Payson has a violent crime rate of 267.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,222.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Payson compare to the national average?
Payson's total crime rate of 1,490.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 16,845 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Payson?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Payson include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Payson safe to visit?
Like any city, Payson has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 57/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.