Is Poplar Bluff or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Poplar Bluff is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 99/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 248 per 100,000 versus 5,364 for Springfield — 95% lower. Poplar Bluff has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Poplar Bluff has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 10.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Poplar Bluff — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Poplar Bluff, MO
Springfield, MO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Poplar Bluff | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 248.3 | 5,364.0 | -5,115.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 37.3 | 1,179.3 | -1,142.0 |
| Murder Rate | 12.4 | 5.9 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 12.4 | 104.4 | -92.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 123.7 | -123.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 12.4 | 944.1 | -931.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 211.1 | 4,184.7 | -3,973.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 31.0 | 726.6 | -695.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 149.0 | 3,001.3 | -2,852.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 31.0 | 456.8 | -425.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poplar Bluff or Springfield safer?
Poplar Bluff is safer with a total crime rate of 248 per 100K vs 5,364 for Springfield — a 95% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Poplar Bluff has a violent crime rate of 37.3 per 100K while Springfield has 1,179.3. Poplar Bluff has lower violent crime.
About Poplar Bluff, MO
Nestled in the Ozark Foothills, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, was once a major lumber producer, shipping timber via the Black River. Today, it serves as a regional hub for southeast Missouri, with a population around 17,000. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 16,108, Poplar Bluff has a total crime rate of 248.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Springfield, MO
Springfield, MO, "Queen City of the Ozarks," is a regional hub in southwest Missouri. Home to Bass Pro Shops' first store, it's a growing metropolitan area with a population of over 169,000. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 170,527, Springfield has a total crime rate of 5,364.0 per 100,000 residents.