If you’re considering visiting Kansas City, you must become acquainted with its crime rate and most dangerous areas.
In 2021, the FBI placed Kansas City on their list of 10 most dangerous cities.
Other sources have given Kansas City a safety score of 2 out of 100 (1 being the most dangerous), and statistics show that one’s chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime in this city is 1 in 69.
Furthermore, numbers show that Kansas City had the highest violent crime rate in its recent history between 2020 and 2022.
In 2022, the city had an overall violent crime rate of 1481 per 100,000 people.
Comparably, the property crime rate was 2340 per 100,000 citizens.
However, crimes can vary based on the area. Let’s look at the safest neighborhoods in Kansas City.
Contents
10 Safest Neighborhoods in Kansas City
1. Armour Hills
With a population of 2130 residents, Armor Hills has been named by many the safest neighborhood in Kansas City, and rightfully so.
Residents enjoy this neighborhood, at least partly, due to its staggeringly low crime rate, which is more than 25% lower than the national average.
For example, the violent crime rate in 2022 was 211 per 100,000 residents, and the property crime rate was 1472 per 100,000 residents.
2. Central Business District
When looking into visiting the Central Business District, it’s essential to know that this neighborhood is safer than roughly 70% of the neighborhoods in Kansas City.
Some have argued that one of the big reasons for this is the number of people around and the number of law enforcement officers patrolling the streets (since it is, after all, a downtown area, and these are widely known to be hotspots for violent crime).
3. Blue Hills Estates
The crime in this neighborhood is roughly 30% lower than the national average.
These numbers are inversely proportionate to the housing prices in this area, which are higher than the national average.
When analyzing last year’s crime rate in Blue Hills Estates, we notice that the overall crime rate was 1629 per 100,000 residents, compared to the statewide average of 3073.7.
Additionally, Blue Hills Estates had a property crime rate of 1349 per 100,000 people.
4. Lee’s Summit
Next on our list is a Kansas City suburb, earning an overall crime score of 23 out of 100.
With a population of less than 1000 residents, Lee’s Summit has an overall crime rate of roughly 20 per 1000 people, divided into violent crime rates (1.51 per 1000 residents) and property crime rates (18 per 1000 residents).
5. Smithville
Before looking at the numbers, I should premise that Smithville has been placed on the “Top 50 U.S. suburbs to move to” list in 2022.
The area is safer than 49% of neighborhoods, making Smithville an idyllic location for those wishing to visit Missouri or relocate there.
The violent crime rate in Smithville is 1.52 and the property crime rate is 91 per 1000 people.
The numbers also show us that residents and visitors have a 1 in 660 chance of becoming the victims of a crime in this neighborhood, significantly lower than in many parts of the country and most areas of the state.
6. Grain Valley
Next on our list is another Kansas City suburb that has earned a safety score of B+.
The overall crime rate in this suburb is 34% lower than in most other neighborhoods throughout the country, with the violent crime rate being more than 60% lower than the national average.
Looking at last year’s reported crimes, we can conclude that Grain Valley’s crime rate is 1544 per 100,000 people, compared to the state-wide rate of 2828.
For example, 230 property crimes were reported in Grain Valley last year and only 22 violent crimes.
7. Weatherby Lake
Those looking to relocate to Kansas City should add Weatherby Lake to their list of options.
Why?
One of the biggest reasons is the low crime rate here.
The neighborhood has earned an A+ grade in safety, meaning that the crime rate in Weatherby Lake is significantly lower than in other parts of Kansas City.
For example, the neighborhood has a crime rate lower than 400 per 100,000 people.
To break it down, the property crime in this area is 328 per 100,000 people.
In comparison, the violent crime rate is 68 per 100,000 residents, making Weatherby Lake safer than 80% of other U.S. neighborhoods of similar size and population.
8. Gladstone
This Kansas City suburb is safer than 17% of neighborhoods of similar size and population.
Residents and visitors have a 1 in 307 chance of becoming victims of a crime in Gladstone.
To understand what this means, we can compare this to the state-wide rate of 1 in 187.
On average, 315 violent crimes per 100,000 residents are reported annually in this neighborhood, and the property crime here is 508 per 100,000 residents.
Though these numbers may seem high, we must remember that they are lower than the crime rate throughout other parts of Kansas City and Missouri.
9. Brookside
Situated roughly 15 minutes from the city’s downtown area, Brookside is a quaint neighborhood with a relatively low crime rate.
Due to its proximity to the downtown area of Kansas City (which is generally patrolled by law enforcement officers more than other parts of the city), Brookside has earned an overall moderate safety score.
But let’s break it down a bit further.
One’s risk of becoming the victim of a crime is low when using public transportation.
Comparably, residents and visitors have a medium risk of becoming the victims of harassment or property crimes (like theft).
Additionally, this neighborhood is safer than other city areas for women traveling alone.
10. Lenexa
If Lenexa is on your list of areas to visit in Kansas City, you’re in luck, as the crime rate in this neighborhood is 26% lower than in other areas around the city and the state.
When looking at the numbers, we’ll also see that the violent crime rate is 40% lower than the national average, and the property crime rate is roughly 20% lower.
To further put things into perspective, Lenexa has a 17.6 overall crime rate, which translates to a 1 in 531 chance of becoming the victim of a crime in this area.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Kansas City
- Become familiarized with the area: Since some neighborhoods are significantly more dangerous than others, knowing where you are going and preventing getting lost (especially at night) is essential.
- Never leave valuables in the car: While many neighborhoods are relatively safe, it’s important to remember that Kansas City is a dangerous city with a high rate of theft, burglary, and other property crimes. For this reason, always lock your car and avoid leaving valuables (like your phone, wallet, or backpack) unattended in the car.
- Pay attention to ATMs: These types of scams are common, so it’s essential to pay attention to any ATMs you may be using – if you see something suspicious (such as a device attached to the machine), inform the bank or call the authorities.
- Avoid going out alone at night: Many KC neighborhoods are relatively safe during the day but quickly get more dangerous after sunset. Due to this, it’s generally recommended to stay indoors or close to home at nighttime.
- Do not share personal information with strangers: This should go without saying, but sharing personal information (like your address, for example) is a no-no anywhere, especially in a city known for its overall high criminality.
Kansas City Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Kansas City Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous neighborhood in KC?
That would be South Bell, an area with a crime rate more than 500% higher than the national average, where residents and visitors have an extremely high risk of becoming the victims of robberies, attacks, and even homicides.
What should I see while in KC?
Many visitors enjoy the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the National WWII Museum, and the Kauffman Stadium.
Is KC worth visiting?
Despite the city’s high crime rate, Kansas City offers various attractions ranging from museums and stadiums to restaurants, concert halls, clubs, and much more!
If you are considering visiting the city, rest assured there is plenty to do here.
