Poplar Bluff, MO Crime Rate & Safety

Grade: B

Lower crime than 69% of major U.S. cities

Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026

35%
Below Avg Crime
1 in 386
Violent Crime Risk
1 in 75
Property Crime Risk

Is Poplar Bluff Safe?

Yes — Poplar Bluff has good safety overall

A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.

Poplar Bluff has a crime rate that is 35% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 386.

Crime Index Comparison

Poplar Bluff
65
National Avg
100

100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.

Your Chance of Being a Victim

Violent Crime

1 in 386

chance per year

National average: 1 in 263

32% lower than national average

Property Crime

1 in 75

chance per year

National average: 1 in 55

27% lower than national average

Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?

Poplar Bluff Crime Breakdown

Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.

Highest Risk
Vehicle Theft · 28% below avg
Lowest Risk
Burglary · 36% below avg
Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
68 -32% Low
Assault
68 -32% Low
Robbery
67 -33% Low
Rape
71 -29% Low
Property Crime
Burglary
64 -36% Low
Larceny / Theft
67 -33% Low
Vehicle Theft
72 -28% Low

Violent vs Property Crime

Crime Index by Category

Poplar Bluff Crime Map

Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Poplar Bluff Crime by Zip Code

Explore crime data for specific Poplar Bluff zip codes.

Poplar Bluff Demographics & Context

Population
16,979
Median Income
$35,603
Home Value
$104,388
Median Rent
$646
Ownership
49%

Racial Demographics

Hispanic / Latino 2.2%
White 85.6%
Black 8.4%
Asian 1.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Poplar Bluff, MO?

Poplar Bluff, MO has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 35% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 386 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 75 chance for property crime. Poplar Bluff has lower crime than 69% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Is Poplar Bluff, MO safe to live in?

Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff is strongly recommended.

What is the violent crime rate in Poplar Bluff?

The estimated violent crime rate in Poplar Bluff is 258.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 386 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (32% below average); aggravated assault at 182.2 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 49.4 per 100K (33% below average).

What is the property crime rate in Poplar Bluff?

The estimated property crime rate in Poplar Bluff is 1,341.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 75 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 173.4 per 100K (36% below average); larceny/theft at 937.8 per 100K (33% below average); vehicle theft at 230.0 per 100K (28% below average).

How does Poplar Bluff crime compare to the national average?

Poplar Bluff's overall crime rate is 35% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (28% below average), while burglary is 36% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Poplar Bluff has lower crime than 69% of them.

Is Poplar Bluff safe to visit?

Poplar Bluff is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 27% 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 Poplar Bluff crime compare to the rest of Missouri?

Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Poplar Bluff's crime rate is 35% below the national average, making it safer the typical Missouri city.

What type of crime is most common in Poplar Bluff?

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Poplar Bluff, with an estimated rate of 937.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 33% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,341 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (259 per 100K) in Poplar Bluff, which is consistent with national trends.

Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities

Crime Statistics by State