Is Emporia or Olathe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Olathe is safer than Emporia (Safety Score 69/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100,000 versus 2,671 for Emporia — 57% lower. Emporia has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Emporia has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Olathe is 6.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Emporia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olathe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Emporia, KS
Olathe, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Emporia | Olathe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,671.2 | 1,137.3 | +1,533.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 369.2 | 196.0 | +173.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.0 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 66.4 | 34.1 | +32.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 16.6 | 10.0 | +6.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 286.2 | 149.9 | +136.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,302.0 | 941.3 | +1,360.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 431.4 | 64.9 | +366.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,791.9 | 772.7 | +1,019.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 78.8 | 103.7 | -24.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emporia or Olathe safer?
Olathe is safer with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100K vs 2,671 for Emporia — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Emporia has a violent crime rate of 369.2 per 100K while Olathe has 196.0. Olathe has lower violent crime.
About Emporia, KS
Emporia, Kansas, a city of around 24,000 in Lyon County, is home to Emporia State University. Situated in the Flint Hills, it was a significant stop on the Santa Fe Trail. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 24,109, Emporia has a total crime rate of 2,671.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Olathe, KS
Olathe, a major suburb southwest of Kansas City, was once a crucial stop on the Santa Fe Trail. With a population exceeding 140,000, it is the fourth-largest city in Kansas. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 149,473, Olathe has a total crime rate of 1,137.3 per 100,000 residents.