Violent
Property
Total
West Plains, MO Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 12,734
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is West Plains, Missouri Safe?
West Plains has a safety score of 60/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
West Plains ranks #37 out of 70 cities in Missouri and #1901 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 36th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 64% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in West Plains is rape, at 86.4 per 100K — 2.0x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, West Plains's total crime rate decreased by 26%, with violent crime declining 32.5%.
West Plains Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 46 | 361.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 11 | 86.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 23.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 32 | 251.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 230 | 1,806.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 23 | 180.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 188 | 1,476.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 19 | 149.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
West Plains vs Missouri Average
How does West Plains's crime rate compare to the Missouri state average?
| Metric | West Plains | Missouri Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 361.2 | 679.8 | -46.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,806.2 | 2,941.8 | -38.6% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.9 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,167.4 | 3,621.5 | -40.2% |
West Plains Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for West Plains, Missouri.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,734 | 2,167.4 | 361.2 | 1,806.2 |
| 2023 | 12,700 | 2,929.1 | 535.4 | 2,393.7 |
| 2022 | 12,252 | 3,762.7 | 440.7 | 3,321.9 |
| 2021 | 12,417 | 4,501.9 | 620.1 | 3,881.8 |
| 2020 | 12,331 | 5,628.1 | 397.4 | 5,230.7 |
| 2019 | 12,284 | 6,195.1 | 423.3 | 5,771.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Plains, Missouri safe?
West Plains has a safety score of 60/100. With a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, West Plains is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in West Plains, Missouri?
According to FBI data for 2024, West Plains has a violent crime rate of 361.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,806.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does West Plains compare to the national average?
West Plains's total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 12,734.
What types of crime are most common in West Plains?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in West Plains include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is West Plains safe to visit?
Like any city, West Plains has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 60/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.