Is Olathe or Ottawa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Olathe is safer than Ottawa (Safety Score 69/100 vs 64/100), with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100,000 versus 1,260 for Ottawa — 10% lower. Olathe has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ottawa has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Olathe is 11.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Olathe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ottawa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Olathe, KS
Ottawa, KS
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Olathe | Ottawa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,137.3 | 1,259.6 | -122.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 196.0 | 149.6 | +46.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 0.0 | +2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.1 | 31.5 | +2.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.0 | 7.9 | +2.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 149.9 | 110.2 | +39.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 941.3 | 1,110.1 | -168.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 64.9 | 149.6 | -84.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 772.7 | 944.7 | -172.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.7 | 15.8 | +88.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Olathe or Ottawa safer?
Olathe is safer with a total crime rate of 1,137 per 100K vs 1,260 for Ottawa — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Olathe has a violent crime rate of 196.0 per 100K while Ottawa has 149.6. Ottawa has lower violent crime.
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.
About Ottawa, KS
Ottawa, Kansas, a town of around 12,000 residents, is the county seat of Franklin County. It was named after the Ottawa tribe, whose reservation once encompassed the area. The town is home to Ottawa University. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 12,702, Ottawa has a total crime rate of 1,259.6 per 100,000 residents.