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C-

Is Ferguson, Missouri Safe?

Population 17,953 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Ferguson is a smaller community of 17,953 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 240.3 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,592 per 100K.

Ferguson Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricFergusonMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate283.5333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2119.82080.71,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate219.0--268.2
Theft Rate1592.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate473.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

240.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

284/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2120/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ferguson

Violent crime in Ferguson is below the national average. The rate of 283.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2119.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,592 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ferguson Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault219
082% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery38
060% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary247
092% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,592
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft473
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Ferguson Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ferguson
283.5
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ferguson
2119.8
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Ferguson Safety

Is Ferguson safe?
Not especially. Ferguson earns a C- with a crime rate of 240.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Ferguson?
240.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 283.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2119.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ferguson safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Ferguson's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,592 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ferguson?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ferguson generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ferguson police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ferguson?
No. Crime in Ferguson has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Ferguson compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. Ferguson ranks behind about 67% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Ferguson to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Ferguson?
Bad. A C- grade and 240.3 per-thousand rate put Ferguson below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 284 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Ferguson?
283.5 per 100,000, which is 22% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (219), robbery (38), and murder (6.0) 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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