Is Bolivar or St. Louis City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bolivar is safer than St. Louis City (Safety Score 66/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,198 per 100,000 versus 7,076 for St. Louis City — 83% lower. Bolivar has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bolivar has a 100% lower rate.
Note: St. Louis City is 24.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bolivar — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Louis City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bolivar, MO
St. Louis City, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bolivar | St. Louis City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,197.6 | 7,075.9 | -5,878.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 173.6 | 1,368.9 | -1,195.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 54.1 | -54.1 |
| Rape Rate | 95.5 | 58.1 | +37.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.7 | 249.6 | -240.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 69.4 | 1,005.4 | -936.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,024.0 | 5,706.9 | -4,682.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 112.8 | 819.7 | -706.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 841.8 | 3,412.3 | -2,570.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.4 | 1,475.0 | -1,405.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bolivar or St. Louis City safer?
Bolivar is safer with a total crime rate of 1,198 per 100K vs 7,076 for St. Louis City — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bolivar has a violent crime rate of 173.6 per 100K while St. Louis City has 1,368.9. Bolivar has lower violent crime.
About Bolivar, MO
Bolivar, the seat of Polk County, is nestled in the Ozarks and home to Southwest Baptist University. This town, named for Venezuelan liberator Simón Bolívar, has a population around 10,000. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 11,523, Bolivar has a total crime rate of 1,197.6 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Louis City, MO
St. Louis City, Missouri, a major port on the Mississippi River, is home to the iconic Gateway Arch. With a population exceeding 300,000, it's a vibrant Midwestern hub with a rich German heritage. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 277,294, St. Louis City has a total crime rate of 7,075.9 per 100,000 residents.