Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, West Plains, MO has a Safety Score of 36/100 — higher crime than 64% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,884 of 2,957 US cities and #36 of 69 in Missouri.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than West Plains, MO?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is West Plains, Missouri Safe?
West Plains, Missouri, the "Gateway to the Ozarks," is a south-central Missouri town known for its historic Houck's Mill. This Howell County seat serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare.
West Plains has a safety score of 36/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
West Plains ranks #36 out of 69 cities in Missouri and #1884 out of 2957 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%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
West Plains Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 46 | 361.2 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 11 | 86.4 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 3 | 23.6 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 32 | 251.3 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 230 | 1,806.2 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 23 | 180.6 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 188 | 1,476.4 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 19 | 149.2 | 358.0 |
| 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 | 683.3 | -47.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,806.2 | 2,957.1 | -38.9% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.9 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,167.4 | 3,640.4 | -40.5% |
West Plains Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for West Plains, Missouri.
| Year | Coverage | 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 |
West Plains Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for West Plains and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Missouri crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Plains, Missouri safe?
West Plains has a safety score of 36/100, meaning it has less crime than about 36% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,167.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, West Plains is higher-crime than most US cities.
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 data covers 12,734 residents.
What types of crime are most common in West Plains?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in West Plains are larceny-theft (188 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (32 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 5.0x in the city.
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 36/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.