Rolla, MO Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Rolla, MO

What is Rolla's overall crime grade?

Rolla earns an overall crime grade of B for 2026, which places it in a favorable position compared to many Missouri cities of similar size. With a population of approximately 20,273 and a population density of just 645 residents per square mile, Rolla's relatively spread-out layout helps limit the concentration of criminal activity that plagues denser urban environments. The B grade reflects a community where crime exists but is meaningfully below national averages for cities in this population range, making Rolla a comparatively safe place to live and study.

What types of crime are most common in Rolla?

Property crimes — including theft, larceny, and burglary — account for the largest share of reported incidents in Rolla, a pattern consistent with college towns nationwide. Areas near the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus see elevated property crime activity, largely driven by opportunistic theft targeting students. Violent crime rates are notably lower and represent a much smaller percentage of overall incidents. Drug-related offenses also appear in the data at a rate somewhat higher than the national average, a factor linked in part to Rolla's 27.3% poverty rate, which is significantly above the national median and creates economic stress that can correlate with certain crime categories.

How does Rolla's poverty rate affect its crime profile?

Rolla's poverty rate of 27.3% — well above the U.S. average of roughly 12–13% — is one of the most important contextual factors when interpreting the city's crime data. Combined with a median household income of just $37,252, economic hardship is a real challenge for a significant portion of residents. Research consistently shows a correlation between concentrated poverty and elevated property crime rates. Despite this, Rolla still achieves a B overall crime grade, suggesting that community policing, university partnerships, and neighborhood engagement are helping offset some of the risk that these economic indicators might otherwise predict.

Is Rolla safe for students attending Missouri S&T?

For the roughly 7,000+ students attending Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla's B crime grade is reassuring context. The campus and immediately surrounding neighborhoods benefit from both university security and Rolla Police Department patrols. That said, property crime — particularly theft of bikes, electronics, and vehicles — is the category students should be most mindful of. The unemployment rate in Rolla sits at 4.8%, which is near the national average and suggests a relatively stable local labor market, reducing some economic pressure that could otherwise elevate crime near campus. Students are encouraged to use the crime map to identify which blocks near campus have seen recent incident clusters.

What are the safest areas in Rolla?

Based on available crime distribution data, neighborhoods situated on the western residential fringes of Rolla and areas near established parks and green spaces tend to report fewer incidents per capita. Suburban corridors with owner-occupied housing — where Rolla's median home value of $144,057 makes ownership accessible — generally show lower crime activity than high-density rental zones. By contrast, corridors with a high concentration of rental units (median rent: $726/month) and transient populations, including some blocks adjacent to the university, tend to see higher property crime rates. Reviewing the interactive crime map by neighborhood and filtering by crime type gives the most current and granular picture of where incidents are clustering in 2026.

Is Rolla a good place to live given its crime statistics?

For most residents, Rolla's crime profile supports a yes. The city's B overall crime grade means that the majority of Rolla's neighborhoods experience crime at rates that are manageable and below what you'd encounter in larger Missouri metro areas. Affordable housing — with a median home value of $144,057 and median rent of just $726/month — makes it financially accessible, while the presence of Missouri S&T drives community investment and civic engagement. The primary caveats are the elevated poverty rate of 27.3% and the associated property crime risk in certain corridors. Families, professionals, and students who use the crime map proactively and choose neighborhoods with strong owner-occupancy rates will find Rolla a comfortable, affordable, and reasonably safe community.