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D-

Is Independence, Missouri Safe?

Population 121,675 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Independence has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D- safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 278.5 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,475 per 100K.

Independence Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricIndependenceMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate407.7333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2377.82080.71,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate268.0--268.2
Theft Rate1475.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate487.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

278.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

408/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2378/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Independence

Violent crime in Independence is close to the national average. The rate of 407.7 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2377.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,475 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Independence Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault268
0100% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery76
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary368
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,475
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft487
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Independence Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Independence
407.7
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Independence
2377.8
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Independence Safety

Is Independence safe?
Not especially. Independence earns a D- with a crime rate of 278.5 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 Independence?
278.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 407.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2377.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Independence safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Independence's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,475 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Independence?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Independence generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Independence police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Independence?
Crime rates have held steady in Independence, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D- grade.
How does Independence compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. Independence ranks behind about 87% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Independence 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 Independence?
Bad. A D- grade and 278.5 per-thousand rate put Independence below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 408 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Independence?
407.7 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (268), robbery (76), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Missouri

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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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