Kelso, MO Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 100% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Kelso Safe?
Yes — Kelso is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Kelso has a crime rate that is 55% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 415.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 415
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
37% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 176
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
69% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Kelso 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
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
25 | -75% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
24 | -76% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Kelso Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Kelso Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Kelso zip codes.
Kelso Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Kelso, MO?
Kelso, MO has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 55% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 415 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 176 chance for property crime. Kelso has lower crime than 100% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Kelso, MO safe to live in?
Kelso 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 Kelso is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Kelso?
The estimated violent crime rate in Kelso is 240.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 37% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 415 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.2 per 100K (56% below average); aggravated assault at 169.3 per 100K (37% below average); robbery at 43.2 per 100K (42% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Kelso?
The estimated property crime rate in Kelso is 568.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 69% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 176 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 143.7 per 100K (47% below average); larceny/theft at 349.1 per 100K (75% below average); vehicle theft at 75.7 per 100K (76% below average).
How does Kelso crime compare to the national average?
Kelso's overall crime rate is 55% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (22% below average), while vehicle theft is 76% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Kelso has lower crime than 100% of them.
Is Kelso safe to visit?
Kelso is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 69% 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 Kelso crime compare to the rest of Missouri?
Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Kelso's crime rate is 55% below the national average, making it safer the typical Missouri city.
What type of crime is most common in Kelso?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Kelso, with an estimated rate of 349.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 75% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (569 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (241 per 100K) in Kelso, which is consistent with national trends.