As per the United States Census Bureau, as of 2019, Arkansas has 3.018 million residents.
The state of Arkansas has the fourth highest violent crime rate in the United States and the eighth-highest property crime rate, as per the 2022 statistics.
Furthermore, for every 1,000 residents in the state of Arkansas, there are 48.64 residents are affected by either property or violent crime.
And, in the southeast neighborhoods, you have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming a victim of crime.
In addition, for every 1,000 residents, there are 5.23 incidents of violent crime and 30.58 incidents of property crime.
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10 Safest Cities in Arkansas
According to the FBI crime report for 2017, the following cities are the safest cities in Arkansas.
There were several factors taken into account, including, the total crimes reported, law enforcement per 1,000 residents, and the population of the city.
No cities were selected that had a population under 10,000 residents.
Bella Vista
Bella Vista is situated in Benton County, Arkansas.
The city has a population of 28,798 residents.
There are a total of 49 law enforcement employees working in this city, or, alternatively, 1.70 law enforcement employees per 1,000 residents.
During this period, the city of Bella Vista reported a total of 246 crimes, which included 53 violent crimes and 193 property crimes.
On average, this translates to a total of 8.54 crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
This translates into 1.84 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 6.70 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
The number of crimes committed, the number of law enforcement per 1,000 residents, and the total population of this city, mean that this city sits at the top of the list as the safest city in Arkansas.
Centerton
Centerton is situated in Benton County, Arkansas, which is west of Bentonville on Highway 102.
There are a total of 14,791 residents occupying this city and a total of 24 law enforcement employees working in this city.
This means that for every 1,000 residents there are approximately 1.62 law enforcement employees.
Centerton residents reported a total of 189 crimes, which included 59 violent crimes and 130 property crimes.
Again, for every 1,000 residents, there was a total of 12.78 crimes reported over this period.
This translates into 3.99 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 8.79 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
Centerton sits at the number two spot thanks to the relatively low crime rate in relation to its population.
Bentonville
Bentonville is situated in Benton County, Arkansas, and is the tenth-largest city in Arkansas.
Apart from this, the city of Bentonville is the birthplace of Walmart.
This city has a relatively large population of 51,607 and a total of 104 law enforcement employees working in this city or, alternatively, 2.02 law enforcement employees for every 1,000 residents.
Bentonville residents reported a total of 811 crimes, which included 106 violent crimes and 705 property crimes.
Or, alternatively, for every 1,000 residents, there was a total of 15.71 crimes reported over this period.
This translates into 2.05 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 13.66 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
Bentonville sits at the number three spot on this list.
Cabot
Cabot is a suburb of Little Rock and is situated in Lonoke County, Arkansas.
It is also the largest city in this county.
Cabot has a population of 26,459 and a total of 55 law enforcement employees working in this city or, alternatively, 2.08 law enforcement employees for every 1,000 residents.
There were a total of 442 crimes reported in this city over this period, which included 39 violent crimes and 403 property crimes.
Or, alternatively, for every 1,000 residents, there was a total of 16.71 crimes reported over this period.
This translates into 1.47 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 15.23 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
Cabot sits at the number four spot on this list.
Maumelle
Maumelle is situated in Pulaski County, Arkansas.
The city has a population of 18,356 residents.
There are a total of 48 law enforcement employees working in this city, or, alternatively, 2.61 law enforcement employees per 1,000 residents.
During this period, the city of Maumelle reported a total of 373 crimes, which included 47 violent crimes and 326 property crimes.
On average, this translates to a total of 20.32 crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
This translates into 2.56 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 17.76 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
Siloam Springs
Siloam Springs is situated in Benton County, Arkansas.
The city of Siloam Springs shares a border on the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line with the city of Silom Springs, Oklahoma.
There are a total of 17,102 residents occupying this city and a total of 52 law enforcement employees, alternatively, for every 1,000 residents, there are approximately 3.04 law enforcement employees.
Siloam Springs residents reported a total of 404 crimes, which included 78 violent crimes and 326 property crimes.
Again, for every 1,000 residents, there was a total of 23.62 crimes reported over this period.
This translates into 4.56 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 19.06 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
Arkadelphia
Arkadelphia is situated in Clark County, Arkansas, and has a population of 10,647 residents with a total of 29 law enforcement employees or, alternatively, 2.72 law enforcement employees per 1,000 residents.
During this period, the city of Arkadelphia reported a total of 301 crimes, which included 45 violent crimes and 256 property crimes.
On average, this translates to a total of 28.27 crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
This translates into 4.23 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 24.04 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
This makes Arkadelphia the seventh safest city in Arkansas.
Magnolia
Magnolia is situated in Columbia County, Arkansas.
The city has a population of 11,425 residents with a total of 23 law enforcement employees or, alternatively, 2.01 law enforcement employees per 1,000 residents.
The city of Magnolia reported a total of 269 crimes for this period, which included 22 violent crimes and 274 property crimes.
There were a total of 25.91 crimes committed per 1,000 residents or, alternatively, 1.93 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 23.98 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
Magnolia, for this reason, is one of the top ten safest cities to live in, in Arkansas.
Batesville
Batesville is both the county seat of and the largest city in Independence County, Arkansas.
The city of Batesville has a population of 10,782 residents with a total of 28 law enforcement employees or, alternatively, 2.60 law enforcement employees per 1,000 residents.
The city of Batesville reported a total of 357 crimes for this period.
Of these crimes reported, there were 46 violent crimes and 311 property crimes reported during this period.
This means that for every 1,000 residents in Batesville there were 33.11 crime incidents, or, alternatively, 4.27 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 28.48 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
Sherwood
Sherwood is situated in Pulaski County, Arkansas.
This city has a population of 31,284 residents with a total of 99 law enforcement employees or, alternatively, 3.16 law enforcement employees per 1,000 residents.
During this period, the city of Sherwood reported a total of 1158 crimes, which included 180 violent crimes and 978 property crimes.
On average, this translates to a total of 37.02 crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
This translates into 5.75 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents and 31.26 property crimes per 1,000 residents occupying this city.
This puts Sherwood at the number ten spot on our safest cities in Arkansas list.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Arkansas
The state of Arkansas requires that all residents and visitors comply with certain safety rules and we will list five of those rules for visitors traveling to this state.
- The first rule is to consult a doctor before traveling and wash your hands frequently. In addition, make sure to always cough into your elbow.
- Before heading out on the road, make sure that all vehicle checks have been conducted, including tire tread, tire pressure, filling up all liquids and oils, and checking the wiper blades.
- Be sure to keep family and friends updated about your travel plans and destinations. Check in with family often.
- Always make sure that your health insurance is up to date and that providers know when and where you will be traveling.
- Be sure to pack all the necessities, such as skin protection, a first aid kit, and backup medication with a prescription.
Arkansas Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Arkansas Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is the most dangerous city in Arkansas?
Osceola ranks at the number one spot for the most dangerous city in Arkansas.
What is the most common type of crime in Arkansas?
Of all crimes committed in Arkansas, property crime is the worst and most common, which includes larceny.
What is something a tourist must see when visiting Arkansas?
A visit to Arkansas would not be complete without visiting Hot Springs National Park.
Arkansas has a relatively high crime rate compared to other states in the US, so it is important to take precautions while traveling there.
Every time I travel, I always research first and I am so glad I did and found this post. I will be going there for a work trip.
I traveled here last week and I think the best way to be safe in Arkansas is to be alert at all times since not all people there are approachable.