Center, MO Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Center Safe?
Yes — Center is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Center has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 496.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 496
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
47% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 125
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
56% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Center 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
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
38 | -62% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Center Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Center Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Center zip codes.
Center Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Center, MO?
Center, MO has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 496 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 125 chance for property crime. Center has lower crime than 97% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Center, MO safe to live in?
Center is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Center is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Center?
The estimated violent crime rate in Center is 201.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 496 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.2 per 100K (57% below average); aggravated assault at 147.8 per 100K (45% below average); robbery at 35.3 per 100K (52% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Center?
The estimated property crime rate in Center is 800.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 56% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 125 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 157.5 per 100K (42% below average); larceny/theft at 537.0 per 100K (62% below average); vehicle theft at 105.8 per 100K (67% below average).
How does Center crime compare to the national average?
Center's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (42% below average), while vehicle theft is 67% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Center has lower crime than 97% of them.
Is Center safe to visit?
Center is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 56% 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 Center crime compare to the rest of Missouri?
Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Center's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical Missouri city.
What type of crime is most common in Center?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Center, with an estimated rate of 537.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 62% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (800 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (202 per 100K) in Center, which is consistent with national trends.