Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, West Memphis, AR has a Safety Score of 1/100 — higher crime than 99% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 6,584.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,938 of 2,971 US cities and #37 of 38 in Arkansas.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is West Memphis, Arkansas Safe?
West Memphis, Arkansas, a Mississippi River town, historically served as a vital railroad hub. It's situated directly across from Memphis, Tennessee, and has a predominantly African American population.
West Memphis has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 6,584.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
West Memphis ranks #37 out of 38 cities in Arkansas and #2938 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 1st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 99% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in West Memphis is murder, at 72.0 per 100K — 11.6x the national average.
Year over year, West Memphis's total crime rate decreased by 10.8%, with violent crime declining 22.2%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
West Memphis Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 455 | 1,926.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 17 | 72.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 29 | 122.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 48 | 203.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 360 | 1,524.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,100 | 4,657.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 252 | 1,067.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 710 | 3,006.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 138 | 584.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
West Memphis vs Arkansas Average
How does West Memphis's crime rate compare to the Arkansas state average?
| Metric | West Memphis | Arkansas Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,926.6 | 777.0 | +148.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,657.7 | 2,849.3 | +63.5% |
| Murder Rate | 72.0 | 10.0 | +619.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 6,584.2 | 3,626.3 | +81.6% |
West Memphis Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for West Memphis, Arkansas.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23,617 | 6,584.2 | 1,926.6 | 4,657.7 |
| 2023 | 23,466 | 7,380.9 | 2,475.9 | 4,905.0 |
| 2022 | 23,809 | 7,417.4 | 2,641.9 | 4,775.5 |
| 2021 | 23,959 | 6,740.7 | 2,713.0 | 4,027.7 |
| 2020 | 24,205 | 7,085.3 | 2,516.0 | 4,569.3 |
| 2019 | 24,442 | 6,996.2 | 1,984.3 | 5,011.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Memphis, Arkansas safe?
West Memphis has a safety score of 1/100, meaning it has less crime than about 1% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 6,584.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, West Memphis is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in West Memphis, Arkansas?
According to FBI data for 2024, West Memphis has a violent crime rate of 1,926.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 4,657.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does West Memphis compare to the national average?
West Memphis's total crime rate of 6,584.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 23,617 residents.
What types of crime are most common in West Memphis?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in West Memphis include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is West Memphis safe to visit?
Like any city, West Memphis has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 1/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.