West Plains, MO Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is West Plains Safe?
Yes — West Plains is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
West Plains has a crime rate that is 50% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 509.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 509
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
48% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 78
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
30% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
West Plains 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
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
West Plains Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
West Plains Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific West Plains zip codes.
West Plains Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in West Plains, MO?
West Plains, MO has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 50% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 509 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 78 chance for property crime. West Plains has lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is West Plains, MO safe to live in?
West Plains 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 West Plains is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in West Plains?
The estimated violent crime rate in West Plains is 196.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 509 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.8 per 100K (44% below average); aggravated assault at 135.9 per 100K (49% below average); robbery at 39.2 per 100K (47% below average).
What is the property crime rate in West Plains?
The estimated property crime rate in West Plains is 1,277.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 78 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 154.3 per 100K (43% below average); larceny/theft at 925.7 per 100K (34% below average); vehicle theft at 197.2 per 100K (38% below average).
How does West Plains crime compare to the national average?
West Plains's overall crime rate is 50% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (34% below average), while assault is 49% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, West Plains has lower crime than 94% of them.
Is West Plains safe to visit?
West Plains is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 30% 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 West Plains crime compare to the rest of Missouri?
Missouri as a whole has crime that is 16% above the national average. West Plains's crime rate is 50% below the national average, making it safer the typical Missouri city.
What type of crime is most common in West Plains?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in West Plains, with an estimated rate of 925.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 34% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,277 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (197 per 100K) in West Plains, which is consistent with national trends.