Violent
Property
Total
Independence, MO Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 120,271
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Independence, Missouri Safe?
Independence has a safety score of 25/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,095.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Independence ranks #59 out of 70 cities in Missouri and #2733 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 8th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 92% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Independence is motor vehicle theft, at 814.8 per 100K — 2.3x the national average.
Year over year, Independence's total crime rate increased by 168%, with violent crime rising 184.4%.
Independence Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 688 | 572.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 11 | 9.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 108 | 89.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 91 | 75.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 477 | 396.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 4,238 | 3,523.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 490 | 407.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,768 | 2,301.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 980 | 814.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Independence vs Missouri Average
How does Independence's crime rate compare to the Missouri state average?
| Metric | Independence | Missouri Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 572.0 | 679.8 | -15.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,523.7 | 2,941.8 | +19.8% |
| Murder Rate | 9.2 | 12.9 | -29.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,095.8 | 3,621.5 | +13.1% |
Independence Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Independence, Missouri.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 120,271 | 4,095.8 | 572.0 | 3,523.7 |
| 2023 | 120,326 | 1,528.4 | 201.1 | 1,327.2 |
| 2022 | 121,255 | 3,922.3 | 539.4 | 3,383.0 |
| 2021 | 116,761 | 4,693.4 | 624.4 | 4,069.0 |
| 2020 | 116,648 | 5,294.6 | 691.0 | 4,603.6 |
| 2019 | 116,931 | 5,245.0 | 590.1 | 4,654.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Independence, Missouri safe?
Independence has a safety score of 25/100. With a total crime rate of 4,095.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Independence is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Independence, Missouri?
According to FBI data for 2024, Independence has a violent crime rate of 572.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,523.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Independence compare to the national average?
Independence's total crime rate of 4,095.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 120,271.
What types of crime are most common in Independence?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Independence include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Independence safe to visit?
Like any city, Independence has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 25/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.