Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Mississippi has a total crime rate of 2,337 per 100,000 residents — 15% below the national average — ranking #14 of 50 US states (safest first), in the safer half. Its safest reporting city is Madison.
Limited Data Coverage
Our dataset includes 23 reporting cities covering 558,443 of Mississippi's 2,939,690 residents (19%). Crime rates shown are based on reporting cities only and may not represent the full state. This is common in states transitioning to the newer NIBRS reporting system.
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Total Crime Rate
Mississippi Crime Overview
In 2024, Mississippi reported a total crime rate of 2,336.5 per 100,000 residents — 15% below the national average of 2,752.3. This ranks Mississippi #14 out of 50 states (safest first).
The most elevated crime category in Mississippi is murder at 1.3x the national rate.
Compared to the previous year, Mississippi's crime rate decreased by 14.9%.
Within the state, Madison is the safest city (crime rate: 445), while Pascagoula has the highest rate (5,197) — a 11.7x difference that highlights how much safety can vary within a single state.
For residents, travelers, and those considering a move to Mississippi, these statistics provide a data-driven baseline. Browse the city-level table below to find specific communities, or see how Mississippi compares to its neighboring states. For the full list of safe and high-crime areas, visit safest cities in Mississippi or most dangerous cities in Mississippi.
Crime Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,355 | 242.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 44 | 7.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 177 | 31.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 173 | 31.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 948 | 169.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 11,693 | 2,093.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 1,732 | 310.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 8,865 | 1,587.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,096 | 196.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Understanding Mississippi's Crime Profile
Of Mississippi's total crime rate, 10.4% is violent crime and 89.6% is property crime. Nationally, violent crime makes up 17.2% of all crime, meaning Mississippi has a lower-than-average share of violent offenses.
Mississippi's murder rate is 7.9 per 100K, which is 1.3x the national rate of 6.2. Murder is the least common but most serious violent crime, and even small differences in rate can reflect meaningful differences in public safety.
These statistics are compiled from 23 cities across the state that report to the FBI's UCR program. Coverage varies by state — so these numbers represent the best available estimate, not a perfect census. For details, see our methodology page.
Property crime accounts for the bulk of Mississippi's total rate at 2,094 per 100K. This includes burglary, larceny-theft (the most common crime nationwide), motor vehicle theft, and arson. While property crime is less immediately dangerous than violent crime, high rates can affect quality of life, insurance costs, and economic investment in affected areas.
Cities in Mississippi by Crime Rate
Cities ranked from safest to most dangerous (10,000+ residents).
| # | City | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | 28,064 | 445.4 | 57.0 | 94/100 |
| 2 | Brandon | 25,905 | 463.2 | 88.8 | 93/100 |
| 3 | Petal | 11,505 | 521.5 | 130.4 | 92/100 |
| 4 | Hernando | 18,579 | 565.2 | 91.5 | 90/100 |
| 5 | Byram | 12,526 | 1,061.8 | 103.8 | 72/100 |
| 6 | Long Beach | 17,053 | 1,073.1 | 82.1 | 71/100 |
| 7 | Clinton | 26,285 | 1,274.5 | 68.5 | 64/100 |
| 8 | Horn Lake | 26,378 | 1,512.6 | 113.7 | 56/100 |
| 9 | Olive Branch | 47,178 | 1,560.1 | 201.4 | 54/100 |
| 10 | Ridgeland | 24,407 | 1,700.3 | 319.6 | 50/100 |
| 11 | Oxford | 27,529 | 1,979.7 | 127.1 | 41/100 |
| 12 | Starkville | 25,344 | 2,118.8 | 82.9 | 37/100 |
| 13 | Gautier | 19,023 | 2,171.1 | 247.1 | 36/100 |
| 14 | Southaven | 57,537 | 2,339.4 | 314.6 | 32/100 |
| 15 | Bay Saint Louis | 10,901 | 2,476.8 | 119.3 | 29/100 |
| 16 | Picayune | 11,860 | 2,883.6 | 185.5 | 21/100 |
| 17 | Cleveland | 10,165 | 3,226.8 | 383.7 | 16/100 |
| 18 | Corinth | 14,142 | 3,514.4 | 374.8 | 13/100 |
| 19 | Hattiesburg | 48,307 | 3,686.8 | 221.5 | 11/100 |
| 20 | Tupelo | 37,593 | 4,171.0 | 393.7 | 7/100 |
| 21 | Vicksburg | 19,785 | 4,427.6 | 616.6 | 6/100 |
| 22 | Laurel | 16,922 | 4,839.9 | 1,051.9 | 4/100 |
| 23 | Pascagoula | 21,455 | 5,196.9 | 326.3 | 3/100 |
Mississippi Crime Rate Trends
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 558,443 | 2,336.5 | 242.6 | 2,093.9 |
| 2023 | 578,903 | 2,746.4 | 240.8 | 2,505.6 |
| 2022 | 588,374 | 2,922.5 | 277.5 | 2,644.9 |
| 2021 | 720,452 | 3,239.9 | 307.6 | 2,932.3 |
| 2020 | 723,654 | 3,554.7 | 304.4 | 3,250.3 |
| 2019 | 852,395 | 3,793.3 | 353.8 | 3,439.5 |
Mississippi Crime Trends: 6-Year Analysis
Over the 6-year period from 2019 to 2024, Mississippi's total crime rate decreased by 38.4%, moving from 3,793 to 2,337 per 100,000 residents. This long-term trajectory provides important context beyond any single year's snapshot.
In the most recent year-over-year comparison, Mississippi's crime rate decreased by 14.9%. Short-term changes don't always indicate a lasting trend, but consecutive years of movement in the same direction are worth noting.
Many factors can influence year-over-year changes, including shifts in policing strategies, economic conditions, population growth, and changes in how agencies report data to the FBI. For the most reliable picture, focus on the multi-year trend rather than any single year's change.
Mississippi vs Neighboring States
How does Mississippi's crime rate compare to its neighbors?
| State | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 2,336.5 | 242.6 | 2,093.9 | — |
| Alabama | 2,769.7 | 510.3 | 2,259.4 | +18.5% |
| Arkansas | 3,626.3 | 777.0 | 2,849.3 | +55.2% |
| Tennessee | 4,198.5 | 916.8 | 3,281.7 | +79.7% |
| Louisiana | 4,632.6 | 941.0 | 3,691.6 | +98.3% |
Among neighboring states, Alabama has the lowest crime rate (2,770 per 100K). Louisiana has the highest (4,633 per 100K).
Mississippi in Regional Context
Mississippi is safer than 4 of its 4 neighboring states based on total crime rate. Nationally, it ranks #14 out of 50 states (ranked safest first), placing it in the safer half of all US states.
Regional comparisons are valuable because neighboring states often share economic conditions, climate, and demographic patterns. If Mississippi differs significantly from its neighbors, it may point to state-specific factors such as policing policy, drug legislation, or economic programs. Visit individual state pages above for detailed comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mississippi's crime rate?
Mississippi's total crime rate in 2024 is 2,336.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% below the national average of 2,752. This includes both violent crime (242.6 per 100K) and property crime (2,093.9 per 100K).
How safe is Mississippi compared to other states?
Mississippi ranks #14 out of 50 states (safest first), placing it in the safer half nationally. Visit our all states page for the complete ranking.
What is the safest city in Mississippi?
The safest city in Mississippi is Madison with a crime rate of 445 per 100,000 residents. View the full list at safest cities in Mississippi.
More Mississippi Crime Data
Dive deeper into Mississippi's crime statistics with our specialized ranking pages, or compare Mississippi cities against cities in other states using our comparison tool.