Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Independence, MO has a Safety Score of 8/100 — higher crime than 92% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 4,095.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,733 of 2,971 US cities and #59 of 70 in Missouri.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Independence, Missouri Safe?
Independence, Missouri, a city of about 120,000 residents, is historically significant as the starting point of the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails. Located just east of Kansas City, it's a prominent suburb with a rich past.
Independence has a safety score of 8/100 (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%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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 | Coverage | 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 8/100, meaning it has less crime than about 8% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 4,095.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Independence is among the highest-crime US cities.
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 data covers 120,271 residents.
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 8/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.