CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Lawrence, Kansas Safe?

Population 96,367 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Lawrence earns a C- safety grade with 239.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs below the national average, putting the city behind 74% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,783 per 100K.

Lawrence Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLawrenceKansas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate256.9316.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2135.32034.11,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate178.0--268.2
Theft Rate1783.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate202.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

239.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

257/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2135/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lawrence

Violent crime in Lawrence is below the national average. The rate of 256.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2135.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,783 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lawrence Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault178
066% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery53
084% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary231
086% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,783
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft202
063% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lawrence Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lawrence
256.9
State
316.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lawrence
2135.3
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawrence Safety

Is Lawrence safe?
Not especially. Lawrence earns a C- with a crime rate of 239.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lawrence?
239.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 256.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2135.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lawrence safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lawrence's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,783 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lawrence?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lawrence generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lawrence police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lawrence?
Crime rates have held steady in Lawrence, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Lawrence compare to other cities in Kansas?
Below average for the state. Lawrence ranks behind about 73% of Kansas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Lawrence to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Lawrence?
Bad. A C- grade and 239.2 per-thousand rate put Lawrence below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 257 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lawrence?
256.9 per 100,000, which is 29% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (178), robbery (53), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Kansas

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

C
See crime rates in Shawnee69,848 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Topeka125,795 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Lenexa60,506 pop · Grade D-
D+
See crime rates in Manhattan54,673 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Salina46,094 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Olathe150,025 pop · Grade D-
View all Kansas city safety grades

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

Get weekly safety updates for Lawrence

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