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C+

Is Ottawa, Kansas Safe?

Population 12,716 · Safer than 42% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Ottawa is a smaller community of 12,716 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 197.8 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,307 per 100K.

Ottawa Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOttawaKansas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate366.8316.1363.8
Property Crime Rate1611.02034.11,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate229.0--268.2
Theft Rate1307.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate401.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

197.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

367/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1611/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ottawa

Violent crime in Ottawa is close to the national average. The rate of 366.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1611.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,307 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ottawa Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault229
085% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery52
082% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary252
093% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,307
093% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft401
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Ottawa Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ottawa
366.8
State
316.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ottawa
1611.0
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Ottawa Safety

Is Ottawa safe?
It depends on where in Ottawa you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime close to the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Ottawa?
197.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 366.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1611.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ottawa safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Ottawa has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ottawa?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ottawa generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ottawa police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ottawa?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Ottawa's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Ottawa compare to other cities in Kansas?
Middle of the pack for Kansas. Ottawa isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 42th percentile among Kansas cities.
How safe is Ottawa to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Ottawa?
Mixed. Violent crime is close to the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 42th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Ottawa?
366.8 per 100,000, which is 1% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (229), robbery (52), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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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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