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D+

Is Payson, Arizona Safe?

Population 16,693 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Payson is a smaller community of 16,693 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 248.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,829 per 100K.

Payson Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPaysonArizona AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate332.7326.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2149.42049.51,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate264.0--268.2
Theft Rate1829.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate318.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

248.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

333/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2149/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Payson

Violent crime in Payson is close to the national average. The rate of 332.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2149.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,829 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Payson Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault264
098% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery49
077% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary371
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,829
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft318
0100% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Payson Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Payson
332.7
State
326.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Payson
2149.4
State
2049.5
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Payson Safety

Is Payson safe?
Not especially. Payson earns a D+ with a crime rate of 248.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Payson?
248.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 332.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2149.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Payson safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Payson's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,829 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Payson?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Payson generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Payson police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Payson?
Crime rates have held steady in Payson, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Payson compare to other cities in Arizona?
Below average for the state. Payson ranks behind about 69% of Arizona cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Payson to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Payson?
Bad. A D+ grade and 248.2 per-thousand rate put Payson below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 333 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Payson?
332.7 per 100,000, which is 9% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (264), robbery (49), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Arizona city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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