Fort Smith, AR Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 72% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Fort Smith Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Fort Smith has a crime rate that is 9% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 239.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 239
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
10% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 38
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
42% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Fort Smith 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
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
112 | +12% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
107 | +7% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
102 | +2% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
108 | +8% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
135 | +35% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Fort Smith Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Fort Smith Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Fort Smith zip codes.
Fort Smith Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Fort Smith, AR?
Fort Smith, AR has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 9% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 239 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 38 chance for property crime. Fort Smith has higher crime than 72% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Fort Smith, AR safe to live in?
Fort Smith has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Fort Smith is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Fort Smith?
The estimated violent crime rate in Fort Smith is 418.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 10% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 239 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.5 per 100K (11% above average); aggravated assault at 299.5 per 100K (12% above average); robbery at 78.9 per 100K (7% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Fort Smith?
The estimated property crime rate in Fort Smith is 2,604.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 38 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 290.7 per 100K (8% above average); larceny/theft at 1,895.0 per 100K (35% above average); vehicle theft at 418.4 per 100K (31% above average).
How does Fort Smith crime compare to the national average?
Fort Smith's overall crime rate is 9% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (35% above average), while rape is 2% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Fort Smith has higher crime than 72% of them.
Is Fort Smith safe to visit?
Visitors to Fort Smith should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 42% above 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 Fort Smith crime compare to the rest of Arkansas?
Arkansas as a whole has crime that is 21% above the national average. Fort Smith's crime rate is 9% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.
What type of crime is most common in Fort Smith?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Fort Smith, with an estimated rate of 1,895.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 35% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,604 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (418 per 100K) in Fort Smith, which is consistent with national trends.