Ferguson, MO Crime Map
Explore crime rates, safest neighborhoods, and detailed crime statistics
Ferguson, MO Crime Overview (2026)
Ferguson, Missouri carries an overall crime grade of D in 2026, reflecting persistent public-safety challenges in a city of roughly 20,631 residents. With a poverty rate of 23.6% and an unemployment rate of 8.1% — both well above national benchmarks — the socioeconomic pressures that correlate with elevated crime are clearly present. Median household income sits at $37,376, and the median home value of $82,077 signals an affordable but economically strained housing market where median rent averages $904 per month.
What the Crime Grade Means for Residents
A D grade places Ferguson in the lower tier of Missouri municipalities for overall safety. That does not mean every block or every hour of the day carries equal risk — crime in Ferguson, as in most cities, is highly concentrated by geography and time. Areas along West Florissant Avenue have historically seen higher incident volumes, particularly for property-related offenses, while residential pockets near Ferguson Avenue and the corridors around Chambers Road tend to report comparatively fewer incidents. Consulting the interactive crime map above lets you filter by incident type and date range to see exactly where activity is clustering right now.
Crime Type Breakdown
Property crime accounts for the largest share of reported incidents in Ferguson. Theft — including shoplifting, vehicle break-ins, and larceny — consistently represents the most frequent category. Vehicle theft is a notable sub-category given the city's population density of 1,290 people per square mile, which concentrates targets in a relatively compact footprint. Violent crime, including assaults and robberies, is present at rates that contribute meaningfully to the D overall grade; these incidents are disproportionately reported in commercial corridors and late-night hours. Substance-related offenses round out the picture, reflecting broader regional trends in St. Louis County.
Neighborhood-Level Patterns
Understanding Ferguson's crime landscape requires looking below the city average. The West Florissant Avenue commercial strip has long been a focal point for both property crime and occasional violent incidents, driven by high foot traffic and retail density. Residential streets feeding off Ferguson Avenue show a more mixed profile — lower violent-crime frequency but recurring property theft. The areas near Chambers Road on the city's eastern edge tend to perform somewhat better on safety metrics, attracting families who prioritize quieter blocks while still accepting Ferguson's broader affordability trade-off. Use the map's neighborhood filter to compare these zones side by side.
Context: Why Socioeconomic Data Matters
Crime grades do not exist in a vacuum. Ferguson's 23.6% poverty rate — nearly one in four residents — and 8.1% unemployment create conditions that research consistently links to higher property and violent crime rates. Revitalization efforts launched in the years following 2014 have brought some investment to the city, but economic indicators remain challenging. For prospective renters weighing a $904 median monthly rent against safety considerations, the crime map's granular data is a more reliable guide than city-wide averages alone.
How to Use This Crime Map Effectively
- Filter by incident type — separate property crimes from violent crimes to understand which risk applies to your daily routine.
- Set a date range — look at the past 30, 60, and 90 days to spot emerging hotspots versus long-standing patterns.
- Cross-reference with your address — zoom to your block or a prospective rental on Ferguson Avenue or Chambers Road before signing a lease.
- Check time-of-day patterns — many Ferguson incidents cluster during evening and overnight hours; the heatmap view surfaces this quickly.
- Report incidents — data accuracy depends on reporting. Contact the Ferguson Police Department to log incidents that may not yet appear on the map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ferguson's overall crime grade in 2026?
Ferguson receives an overall crime grade of D for 2026. This grade reflects elevated rates of both property and violent crime relative to state and national averages. The grade is influenced by the city's socioeconomic profile — a 23.6% poverty rate and 8.1% unemployment — as well as incident-level data mapped across Ferguson's neighborhoods. A D grade means residents and visitors should exercise consistent situational awareness, though it does not mean the entire city is uniformly dangerous.
Which parts of Ferguson have the most crime?
Incident data consistently points to the West Florissant Avenue corridor as Ferguson's highest-activity zone for both property crime and violent incidents. The commercial density there — retail, fast food, and transit stops — creates more opportunity for theft and assault. Residential areas branching off Ferguson Avenue see moderate property crime. By contrast, neighborhoods near Chambers Road on the eastern side of the city tend to report fewer incidents per capita, making them relatively more attractive for families prioritizing safety within Ferguson's affordable price range.
Is Ferguson safe to live in?
Safety in Ferguson is highly neighborhood-dependent. The city's D crime grade reflects a real elevated risk compared to many Missouri suburbs, but thousands of residents live in Ferguson without incident by choosing their block carefully and staying engaged with community resources. The median home value of $82,077 and median rent of $904 make Ferguson one of the more affordable options in the St. Louis metro, and many residents weigh that affordability against the safety trade-off. Use the crime map to evaluate specific streets — particularly around Chambers Road and quieter residential sections off Ferguson Avenue — before committing to a home or lease.
How does Ferguson's poverty rate affect crime?
Ferguson's 23.6% poverty rate is a significant driver of its crime profile. Decades of public-safety research show strong correlations between concentrated poverty, unemployment, and both property and violent crime rates. With nearly one in four residents below the poverty line and unemployment at 8.1%, Ferguson faces structural challenges that a crime map alone cannot solve. Community investment, workforce development, and sustained policing partnerships are all part of the longer-term picture. For now, the map reflects current conditions — and those conditions are shaped substantially by economic stress.
What types of crime are most common in Ferguson?
Property crime dominates Ferguson's incident log. Theft — spanning retail theft, vehicle break-ins, and general larceny — is the single most reported category. Vehicle theft is particularly notable given the city's relatively compact footprint of 1,290 residents per square mile, which concentrates parked cars in predictable locations. Violent crime, including assault and robbery, contributes meaningfully to the overall D grade and is most frequently reported along commercial corridors like West Florissant Avenue during evening hours. Substance-related offenses appear across multiple neighborhoods and often intersect with both property and violent crime data.
How can I stay safer in Ferguson?
Start by using this crime map regularly — filter by your neighborhood, set a 30-day window, and note which incident types are trending. In higher-activity areas like West Florissant Avenue, avoid leaving valuables visible in parked vehicles and stay alert during evening hours when incident rates rise. Residents near Ferguson Avenue benefit from neighborhood watch coordination; connecting with local block associations amplifies collective awareness. Secure your property with functional locks and exterior lighting, and report suspicious activity to the Ferguson Police Department so incident data stays current and actionable for the whole community.