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C

Is Hays, Kansas Safe?

Population 21,258 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Hays is a smaller community of 21,258 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 222.9 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,542 per 100K.

Hays Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricHaysKansas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate276.4316.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1952.52034.11,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate162.0--268.2
Theft Rate1542.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate490.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

222.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

276/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1953/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Hays

Violent crime in Hays is below the national average. The rate of 276.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1952.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,542 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Hays Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault162
060% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary239
089% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,542
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft490
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Hays Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Hays
276.4
State
316.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Hays
1952.5
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Hays Safety

Is Hays safe?
Not especially. Hays earns a C with a crime rate of 222.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Hays?
222.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 276.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1952.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Hays safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Hays's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,542 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Hays?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Hays generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Hays police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Hays?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Hays's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Hays compare to other cities in Kansas?
Below average for the state. Hays ranks behind about 70% of Kansas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Hays to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Hays?
Bad. A C grade and 222.9 per-thousand rate put Hays below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 276 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Hays?
276.4 per 100,000, which is 24% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (162), robbery (42), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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View all Kansas 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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