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D

Is Poplar Bluff, Missouri Safe?

Population 16,295 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate below the national average, Poplar Bluff faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 81% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,928 per 100K.

Poplar Bluff Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPoplar BluffMissouri AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate292.1333.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2287.62080.71,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate173.0--268.2
Theft Rate1928.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate446.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

258 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

292/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2288/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Poplar Bluff

Violent crime in Poplar Bluff is below the national average. The rate of 292.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2287.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,928 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Poplar Bluff Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault173
065% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery58
092% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary419
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,928
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft446
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Poplar Bluff Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Poplar Bluff
292.1
State
333.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Poplar Bluff
2287.6
State
2080.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Poplar Bluff Safety

Is Poplar Bluff safe?
Not especially. Poplar Bluff earns a D with a crime rate of 258 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Poplar Bluff?
258 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 292.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2287.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Poplar Bluff safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Poplar Bluff's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,928 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Poplar Bluff?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Poplar Bluff generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Poplar Bluff police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Poplar Bluff?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Poplar Bluff's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Poplar Bluff compare to other cities in Missouri?
Below average for the state. Poplar Bluff ranks behind about 82% of Missouri cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff?
Bad. A D grade and 258 per-thousand rate put Poplar Bluff below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 292 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Poplar Bluff?
292.1 per 100,000, which is 20% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (173), robbery (58), and murder (4.0) 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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