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D

Is Carthage, Missouri Safe?

Population 15,895 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Carthage faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 82% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,581 per 100K.

Carthage Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCarthageMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate393.4333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2214.32080.71,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate238.0--268.2
Theft Rate1581.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate219.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

260.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

393/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2214/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Carthage

Violent crime in Carthage is close to the national average. The rate of 393.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2214.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,581 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Carthage Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault238
089% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery74
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary371
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,581
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft219
069% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Carthage Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Carthage
393.4
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Carthage
2214.3
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Carthage Safety

Is Carthage safe?
Not especially. Carthage earns a D with a crime rate of 260.8 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 Carthage?
260.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 393.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2214.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Carthage safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Carthage's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,581 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Carthage?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Carthage generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Carthage police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Carthage?
Crime rates have held steady in Carthage, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Carthage compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. Carthage ranks behind about 90% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Carthage to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Carthage?
Bad. A D grade and 260.8 per-thousand rate put Carthage below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 393 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Carthage?
393.4 per 100,000, which is 8% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (238), robbery (74), and murder (9.0) per 100,000.

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View all Missouri 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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