CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Joplin, Missouri Safe?

Population 53,930 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Joplin means there's room for concern. The 236.1 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,853 per 100K.

Joplin Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricJoplinMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate265.3333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2096.12080.71,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate184.0--268.2
Theft Rate1853.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate384.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

236.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

265/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2096/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Joplin

Violent crime in Joplin is below the national average. The rate of 265.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2096.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,853 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Joplin Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault184
069% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery48
076% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary380
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,853
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft384
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Joplin Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Joplin
265.3
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Joplin
2096.1
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Joplin Safety

Is Joplin safe?
Not especially. Joplin earns a C- with a crime rate of 236.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Joplin?
236.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 265.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2096.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Joplin safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Joplin's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,853 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Joplin?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Joplin generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Joplin police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Joplin?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Joplin's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Joplin compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. Joplin ranks behind about 65% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Joplin to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Joplin?
Bad. A C- grade and 236.1 per-thousand rate put Joplin below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 265 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Joplin?
265.3 per 100,000, which is 27% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (184), robbery (48), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Missouri

Similar-sized communities in Missouri. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in Florissant51,124 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Wentzville49,495 pop · Grade C-
D-
See crime rates in Chesterfield49,309 pop · Grade D-
C-
See crime rates in St. Peters61,479 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Blue Springs61,632 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Jefferson City42,489 pop · Grade D
View all Missouri city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Joplin

Get weekly safety updates for Joplin

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities