CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Fayetteville, Arkansas Safe?

Population 106,623 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Fayetteville runs high. The city's D+ grade puts it below 80% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,786 per 100K.

Fayetteville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricFayettevilleArkansas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate359.2333.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2196.52019.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate227.0--268.2
Theft Rate1786.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate500.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

255.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

359/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2197/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Fayetteville

Violent crime in Fayetteville is close to the national average. The rate of 359.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2196.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,786 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Fayetteville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault227
085% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery41
065% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary343
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,786
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft500
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Fayetteville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Fayetteville
359.2
State
333.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Fayetteville
2196.5
State
2019.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Fayetteville Safety

Is Fayetteville safe?
Not especially. Fayetteville earns a D+ with a crime rate of 255.6 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 Fayetteville?
255.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 359.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2196.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Fayetteville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Fayetteville's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,786 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Fayetteville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Fayetteville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Fayetteville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Fayetteville?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Fayetteville's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Fayetteville compare to other cities in Arkansas?
Below average for the state. Fayetteville ranks behind about 72% of Arkansas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Fayetteville to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Fayetteville?
Bad. A D+ grade and 255.6 per-thousand rate put Fayetteville below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 359 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Fayetteville?
359.2 per 100,000, which is 1% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (227), robbery (41), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Arkansas

Similar-sized communities in Arkansas. Compare crime rates across the state.

D-
See crime rates in Fort Smith90,855 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in Springdale90,685 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Jonesboro83,296 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Rogers76,956 pop · Grade C
F
See crime rates in Conway72,328 pop · Grade F
D-
See crime rates in North Little Rock65,120 pop · Grade D-
View all Arkansas city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Fayetteville

Get weekly safety updates for Fayetteville

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities