Waynesville, MO Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 41% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Waynesville Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Waynesville has a crime rate that is 11% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 291.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 291
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
10% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 54
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
1% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Waynesville 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
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
103 | +3% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
118 | +18% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Waynesville Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Waynesville Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Waynesville zip codes.
Waynesville Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Waynesville, MO?
Waynesville, MO has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 11% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 291 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 54 chance for property crime. Waynesville has lower crime than 41% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Waynesville, MO safe to live in?
Waynesville 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 Waynesville is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Waynesville?
The estimated violent crime rate in Waynesville is 343.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 10% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 291 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.5 per 100K (9% below average); aggravated assault at 242.0 per 100K (10% below average); robbery at 76.1 per 100K (3% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Waynesville?
The estimated property crime rate in Waynesville is 1,842.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 54 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 318.3 per 100K (18% above average); larceny/theft at 1,275.1 per 100K (9% below average); vehicle theft at 249.2 per 100K (22% below average).
How does Waynesville crime compare to the national average?
Waynesville's overall crime rate is 11% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (18% above average), while rape is 37% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Waynesville has lower crime than 41% of them.
Is Waynesville safe to visit?
Visitors to Waynesville should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 1% 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 Waynesville crime compare to the rest of Missouri?
Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. Waynesville's crime rate is 11% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical Missouri city.
What type of crime is most common in Waynesville?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Waynesville, with an estimated rate of 1,275.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,843 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (344 per 100K) in Waynesville, which is consistent with national trends.