Is Newton or Olathe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Olathe is safer than Newton (Safety Score 69/100 vs 33/100), with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100,000 versus 2,287 for Newton — 50% lower. Newton has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Olathe is 8.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olathe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newton, KS
Olathe, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Newton | Olathe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,286.9 | 1,137.3 | +1,149.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 617.2 | 196.0 | +421.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.0 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 77.2 | 34.1 | +43.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.2 | 10.0 | +67.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 462.9 | 149.9 | +313.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,669.7 | 941.3 | +728.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 303.1 | 64.9 | +238.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,201.3 | 772.7 | +428.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 165.3 | 103.7 | +61.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newton or Olathe safer?
Olathe is safer with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100K vs 2,287 for Newton — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Newton has a violent crime rate of 617.2 per 100K while Olathe has 196.0. Olathe has lower violent crime.
About Newton, KS
Newton, Kansas, the "Railroad Capital of Kansas," began as a wild cowtown on the Santa Fe Trail. Located in Harvey County, it's a small city with a population just under 20,000. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 18,147, Newton has a total crime rate of 2,286.9 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.