Carthage, MO Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Carthage Safe?
Carthage has a crime rate that is 17% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 343.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 343
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
24% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 58
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
5% lower than national average
Carthage Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
81 | -19% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Carthage Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Carthage Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Carthage zip codes.
Carthage Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Carthage, MO?
Carthage, MO has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 17% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 343 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 58 chance for property crime. Carthage has lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Carthage, MO safe to live in?
Carthage is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Carthage is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Carthage?
The estimated violent crime rate in Carthage is 291.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 24% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 343 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.2 per 100K (15% below average); aggravated assault at 214.5 per 100K (20% below average); robbery at 45.4 per 100K (39% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Carthage?
The estimated property crime rate in Carthage is 1,737.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 58 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 194.4 per 100K (28% below average); larceny/theft at 1,241.9 per 100K (11% below average); vehicle theft at 301.4 per 100K (5% below average).
How does Carthage crime compare to the national average?
Carthage's overall crime rate is 17% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (5% below average), while robbery is 39% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Carthage has lower crime than 47% of them.
Is Carthage safe to visit?
Carthage is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 5% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Carthage crime compare to the rest of Missouri?
Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Carthage's crime rate is 17% below the national average, making it safer the typical Missouri city.
What type of crime is most common in Carthage?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Carthage, with an estimated rate of 1,241.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,738 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (291 per 100K) in Carthage, which is consistent with national trends.