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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Poplar Bluff, MO has a Safety Score of 99/100 — safer than 99% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 248.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #41 of 2,971 US cities and #1 of 70 in Missouri.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Poplar Bluff, Missouri Safe?
Nestled in the Ozark Foothills, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, was once a major lumber producer, shipping timber via the Black River. Today, it serves as a regional hub for southeast Missouri, with a population around 17,000.
Poplar Bluff has a safety score of 99/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 248.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Poplar Bluff ranks #1 out of 70 cities in Missouri and #41 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 99th percentile for safety — safer than 99% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Poplar Bluff is murder, at 12.4 per 100K — 2.0x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Poplar Bluff's total crime rate decreased by 41.2%, with violent crime declining 43%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Poplar Bluff Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 6 | 37.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 12.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 2 | 12.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 2 | 12.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 34 | 211.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 5 | 31.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 24 | 149.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 31.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Poplar Bluff vs Missouri Average
How does Poplar Bluff's crime rate compare to the Missouri state average?
| Metric | Poplar Bluff | Missouri Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 37.3 | 679.8 | -94.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 211.1 | 2,941.8 | -92.8% |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 12.9 | -3.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 248.3 | 3,621.5 | -93.1% |
Poplar Bluff Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 16,181 | 4,010.9 | 723.1 | 3,287.8 |
| 2021 | 16,784 | 6,822.0 | 1,269.1 | 5,552.9 |
| 2020 | 16,927 | 7,053.8 | 502.2 | 6,551.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poplar Bluff, Missouri safe?
Poplar Bluff has a safety score of 99/100, meaning it has less crime than about 99% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 248.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Poplar Bluff is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Poplar Bluff, Missouri?
According to FBI data for 2024, Poplar Bluff has a violent crime rate of 37.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 211.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Poplar Bluff compare to the national average?
Poplar Bluff's total crime rate of 248.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 16,108 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Poplar Bluff?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Poplar Bluff include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Poplar Bluff safe to visit?
Like any city, Poplar Bluff has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 99/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.