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D

Is Jefferson City, Missouri Safe?

Population 42,489 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Jefferson City 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 259.8 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,834 per 100K.

Jefferson City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricJefferson CityMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate399.7333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2198.32080.71,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate236.0--268.2
Theft Rate1834.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate263.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

259.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

400/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2198/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Jefferson City

Violent crime in Jefferson City is close to the national average. The rate of 399.7 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2198.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,834 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Jefferson City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault236
088% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery92
01.5x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary417
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,834
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft263
083% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Jefferson City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Jefferson City
399.7
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Jefferson City
2198.3
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Jefferson City Safety

Is Jefferson City safe?
Not especially. Jefferson City earns a D with a crime rate of 259.8 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 Jefferson City?
259.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 399.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2198.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Jefferson City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Jefferson City's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,834 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Jefferson City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Jefferson City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Jefferson City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Jefferson City?
Crime rates have held steady in Jefferson City, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Jefferson City compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. Jefferson City ranks behind about 74% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City?
Bad. A D grade and 259.8 per-thousand rate put Jefferson City below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 400 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Jefferson City?
399.7 per 100,000, which is 10% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (236), robbery (92), and murder (5.0) 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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