Emporia, KS Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Emporia, KS

What is Emporia's overall crime grade and what does it mean?

Emporia, KS earns an overall crime grade of B- for 2026, placing it in a moderate-to-favorable safety tier compared to many U.S. cities of similar size. For a city of approximately 24,631 residents, a B- grade reflects manageable crime levels with room for improvement — particularly in property crime categories. The grade accounts for both violent and property crime frequencies relative to population density (783 residents per square mile) and local socioeconomic factors, including a poverty rate of 19.6% that can correlate with elevated property crime in certain pockets of the city.

What is the crime rate in Emporia, KS?

Emporia's crime profile skews heavily toward property offenses rather than violent crime, which is consistent with its B- overall grade. Property crimes — including theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins — represent the most frequently reported incident types across the city. Violent crime incidents such as assault occur at lower rates and tend to be concentrated in specific corridors rather than spread uniformly across all neighborhoods. With a median household income of $43,481 and a poverty rate near 20%, economic stress is a documented driver of property crime in Emporia, making areas with higher residential turnover and lower home values (median: $97,768) worth monitoring on the crime map.

Is Emporia, KS safe to live in?

For most residents, Emporia is a livable city with a safety profile that earns a B- — meaning it outperforms a significant share of comparable Midwestern cities. The 4.7% unemployment rate suggests a relatively stable local economy, which helps temper crime growth. That said, the 19.6% poverty rate is above the national average and does contribute to localized safety disparities between neighborhoods. Areas near Emporia State University and the established residential corridors along Commercial Street tend to benefit from higher foot traffic, community engagement, and quicker law enforcement response, while some lower-income census tracts see a disproportionate share of reported incidents. Using the Emporia crime map to filter by neighborhood and incident type gives prospective residents the most accurate picture.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Emporia?

Based on available crime distribution data, neighborhoods closest to Emporia State University's campus and the historic downtown district around Commercial Street consistently report lower per-capita incident rates. These areas benefit from higher community visibility, active neighborhood watch participation, and proximity to city services. Residential zones near Soden's Grove Park and the western suburban corridors also trend toward lower reported crime frequency. Conversely, some neighborhoods in the central and eastern portions of the city — where median rents average around $650 and housing stock is older — show higher concentrations of property crime incidents on the heat map. Filtering the Emporia crime map by crime type and time period can help you compare specific blocks before making a housing decision.

What types of crime are most common in Emporia?

Property crime dominates Emporia's incident reports, consistent with national patterns for cities with a B- safety grade. Theft (including shoplifting and vehicle theft) and residential burglary are the most prevalent categories. Vandalism and drug-related offenses also appear with regularity, particularly in higher-density rental areas where the median rent of $650 reflects more transient populations. Violent crimes — including aggravated assault — are reported at meaningfully lower rates than property offenses and are not evenly distributed across the city. The Emporia Police Department's crime data shows that certain time windows (late evening and overnight hours) account for a disproportionate share of both property and violent incidents, making time-based filters on the crime map especially useful for pattern analysis.

How does Emporia's crime compare to other Kansas cities?

With a B- crime grade and a population of 24,631, Emporia compares favorably to several larger Kansas cities that carry lower safety grades. Its population density of 783 per square mile is relatively modest, which limits the clustering of crime that higher-density urban areas experience. However, Emporia's 19.6% poverty rate is notably higher than the Kansas state average, which puts upward pressure on property crime rates relative to similarly sized cities with stronger economic profiles. Cities of comparable size in Kansas with lower poverty rates tend to achieve A- or B+ grades, suggesting that continued investment in economic development and community programs could push Emporia's grade higher in coming years.

Is Emporia safe for students attending Emporia State University?

The campus area and immediate surrounding neighborhoods generally reflect a safer subset of Emporia's overall B- grade. University districts typically benefit from campus security patrols, well-lit public spaces, and high pedestrian activity — all factors that deter opportunistic crime. That said, students should remain aware that property crime (particularly vehicle break-ins and theft of personal belongings) is the most common incident type citywide, and off-campus housing in lower-rent corridors (near the $650 median rent range) can carry slightly elevated risk. Reviewing the Emporia crime map filtered to the area within a half-mile of campus provides the most current, block-level safety picture for students and their families.