Union, MO Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Union, MO

What is Union's overall crime grade?

Union, MO earns an overall crime grade of A for 2026 — placing it among the safest communities of its size in Missouri. With a population of approximately 11,931 and a density of just 511 residents per square mile, Union's relatively low density contributes to its strong safety profile. An A grade means the city significantly outperforms national averages for both violent and property crime, making it a genuinely low-risk place to live, work, or visit.

How safe is Union, MO compared to similar cities?

Union's A crime grade puts it in the top tier of small Missouri cities. Its median household income of $54,585 and a poverty rate of just 9.2% — both indicators that correlate strongly with lower crime — help explain this standing. The unemployment rate of 5.4% is modest for a city of this size, and research consistently shows that communities with stable employment and moderate income levels tend to sustain lower crime rates over time. Union checks those boxes reliably.

What types of crime are most common in Union?

As is typical for small Missouri cities earning an A crime grade, property crimes — including petty theft, vehicle break-ins, and occasional vandalism — represent the most frequently reported incident categories in Union. Violent crime incidents are notably infrequent given the city's size and density of 511 people per square mile. Neighborhoods near the historic downtown area and along Highway 50 corridors tend to see the most foot-traffic-related minor incidents, while residential subdivisions such as Lake Forest report very low activity overall. The city's crime profile is consistent with a community where serious offenses are the exception, not the norm.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Union, MO?

Union's A overall crime grade reflects city-wide safety, but certain areas stand out for their particularly quiet records. Established residential subdivisions like Lake Forest, neighborhoods clustered near Union's schools and parks, and well-lit suburban streets along Highway 50 are consistently regarded as family-friendly and low-incident zones. The historic downtown area benefits from higher foot traffic and community visibility, which naturally deters opportunistic crime. For the most current neighborhood-level breakdown, cross-referencing the Union crime map with the Union Police Department's published reports is the most reliable approach.

Is Union, MO a good place to live based on crime and cost of living?

The combination of an A crime grade, a median home value of $154,690, and a median rent of just $781 per month makes Union one of the more compelling value propositions in Franklin County. A household earning the city's median income of $54,585 can comfortably afford housing here while benefiting from a demonstrably safe environment — a balance that is increasingly rare in Missouri's growing communities. The poverty rate of 9.2% and unemployment rate of 5.4% are both low enough to reflect a stable local economy without the crime pressures that accompany higher economic distress. For families, retirees, and first-time homebuyers, Union's data-backed safety record strengthens its case as a smart place to put down roots.

How does Union's population density affect its crime rate?

At 511 residents per square mile, Union occupies a sweet spot — dense enough to support active community life and neighborhood familiarity, but spread out enough to avoid the anonymity that fuels higher crime in urban cores. Criminological research consistently finds that cities in this density range, especially those with median incomes above $50,000, tend to sustain lower crime grades. Union's A grade aligns with that pattern. Residents in lower-density areas like the city's outer subdivisions tend to report fewer incidents than higher-traffic zones near the commercial corridor, though even those areas remain well within safe parameters by statewide standards.