Is Gautier or Hattiesburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gautier is safer than Hattiesburg (Safety Score 36/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,171 per 100,000 versus 3,687 for Hattiesburg — 41% lower. Gautier has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gautier has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Hattiesburg is 2.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gautier — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hattiesburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gautier, MS
Hattiesburg, MS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gautier | Hattiesburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,171.1 | 3,686.8 | -1,515.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 247.1 | 221.5 | +25.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 12.4 | -12.4 |
| Rape Rate | 26.3 | 39.3 | -13.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 36.8 | 33.1 | +3.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 184.0 | 136.6 | +47.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,924.0 | 3,465.3 | -1,541.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 231.3 | 370.6 | -139.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,424.6 | 2,873.3 | -1,448.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 268.1 | 221.5 | +46.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gautier or Hattiesburg safer?
Gautier is safer with a total crime rate of 2,171 per 100K vs 3,687 for Hattiesburg — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gautier has a violent crime rate of 247.1 per 100K while Hattiesburg has 221.5. Hattiesburg has lower violent crime.
About Gautier, MS
Gautier, situated along the Pascagoula River, is a coastal Mississippi town with a population of around 18,000. It's home to the historic LaPointe-Krebs House, the oldest surviving building in Mississippi. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 19,023, Gautier has a total crime rate of 2,171.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg, "The Hub City," is a South Mississippi city founded in 1882 by William H. Hardy. It is home to the University of Southern Mississippi and lies at the intersection of several major highways, serving as a regional center. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 48,307, Hattiesburg has a total crime rate of 3,686.8 per 100,000 residents.