Is Prairie Village Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Prairie Village, Kansas, sounds like it is in a remote area of endless prairie landscapes, not part of the major metro area of Kansas City.

It’s nestled in the northwest corner of the suburban oasis of Johnson County, near the Missouri state line.

This is a dense residential area of 23,000 people and has all of the basic amenities for shopping and dining nearby, as well as easily accessible tourist attractions throughout Johnson County.

It’s also bordered on the north side by a highway to take you to the heart of downtown Kansas City.

Prairie Village is also just seven miles from the popular Kansas City Zoo.

As an avid true crime fan, I knew something about Prairie Village rang a bell.

The story of a disgruntled physician-turned-housewife who burned down her family home was the topic of an Ann Rule Novel and a Lifetime Movie.

Debora Green is now behind bars, but her story continues to be told in new editions of popular true crime shows.

There is just one hotel in Praire Village, but it’s a boutique hotel called The Inn at Meadowbrook.

Plenty of additional hotels are available in nearby Overland Park.

Warnings & Dangers in Prairie Village

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here, but it's more like an average risk. Crime is below the national and state averages in many categories, while violent crime is just slightly higher than the national average. This comes from a rise in crime rates over the past decade. While it's still safe to visit, it's not one of the lower-risk cities we've reported on.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

RideKC is the public bus system that runs throughout Johnson County and into the city. There are two routes that go through Prairie Village. There are electric scooters you can rent here too. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful, and you have many options if you want to rent a car. There's low risk with any option, and you have plenty of choices.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There is a low risk here with a theft rate that is 40% lower than the national average. Prairie Village has a lot of restaurants and shops where it would be easy to set down your bag, so be sure to always keep it in plain sight.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The typical medium-risk Kansas weather events happen here. Tornadoes are the biggest risk, while flooding, heavy winds, severe lightning, and torrential rain follow. Winters get a couple of snow storms a year and sometimes it can be intense. Johnson County has a great emergency management plan to review if you have concerns.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

With three robberies reported in 2021, that's still just a fraction of the national average. There's a low risk here and throughout much of Johnson County.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Since Kansas City is such a major metro area, we give it a medium risk. Fort Leavenworth is also in the metro area, so that's another potential target. Homeland Security does keep a close eye on the higher-risk locations.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The city has a scam prevention page on its website and nothing stands out as anything more than common scams types. It comes with the reminder that if something seems too good to be true, it is.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women can visit here at low risk and have a lot of places to explore in the relatively safe Johnson County. Always stay aware of your surroundings when leaving a shopping or dining area to make sure there aren't suspicious people around.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2022 Water Quality Report from WaterOne shows all tests met or exceeded the state and national requirements and no violations were reported. The water is safe, and should anything threaten safety, the water utility would alert residents and businesses immediately.

Safest Places to Visit in Prairie Village

Meadowbrook is a neighborhood with several places to visit or just a stroll along the sidewalks by neighborhood ponds.

You can start at the Gallery at Meadowbrook Park clubhouse to see the latest art exhibit from the Prairie Village Arts Council.

Public art sculptures adorn the sidewalks here and the path begins in Meadowbrook.

Stop by the Inn at Meadowbrook for any meal of the day.

One of the popular stops is Miss Ruby’s food truck parked in a large seating area.

To kick up the ambiance, try dinner at Verbena with an extensive drink list and elegant American foods.

You have two shopping areas to choose from – or choose which one to start at for a day of unique finds.

Corinth Square and The Shops of Prairie Village are similar, but separate shopping districts.

When stopping at The Shops, try a meal at Cafe Provence.

It has been rated eight times as one of the best restaurants in America.

Honestly, the prices aren’t nearly as high as I expected them to be after looking at the menu of this French restaurant.

I’m glad I don’t have to choose the meals at Corinth Square because they all look amazing.

If you’re traveling and missing a pet back home, try out Land of Paws for some high-end pet treats and toys.

One of the most popular shopping areas in Kansas City is the Country Club Plaza, or just “The Plaza”, as it’s called.

This is just five miles northeast of Prairie Village.

If you happen to be visiting during the holiday season, the lights at The Plaza are a must-see attraction.

Want to stand in two places at once?

Stop at Weltner Park on the Missouri state line (watch out for traffic, okay?).

Places to Avoid in Prairie Village

There aren’t bad neighborhoods or dangerous parts of Prairie Village.

In fact, the Meadowbrook area is one of those places I would like to drive around and admire the homes.

This is just a fairly affluent community with a lot of beautiful homes, safe sidewalks, local ponds, and traditional parks.

What it lacks in excitement, it makes up for in comfort.

If you are heading across State Line Road, you’ll be in Kansas City, Missouri.

The crime rates on this side of the area stay low until you cross over Troost Avenue.

The property and violent crimes go up east of Troost.

Be sure to read our article on Kansas City, Missouri, before you visit there.

That is not the same place as Kansas City, Kansas (known locally as KCK).

Safety Tips for Traveling to Prairie Village

So... How Safe Is Prairie Village Really?

Prairie Village and nearby Mission Hills both have lower than average crime rates.

The biggest concern I have from looking at the data is that most crimes have been up over the past decade, and in some cases, year-to-year.

Assaults in Prairie Village were up 45% from 2020 to 2021.

Mission Hills had no homicides, rapes, or robberies in 2020 or 2021, but an increase in burglaries, thefts, and auto thefts.

Prairie Village was up in violent crime areas, but down in property crime categories.

The only exception is car thefts, where 40 were reported in 2020 and 57 were reported in 2021.

While all the data in the world isn’t going to change that this is a safe area, it’s ideal that the police get a hold of the growing crime categories.

You’re getting very close to Kansas City, Missouri, when you visit Prairie Village and Mission Hills.

That means you don’t have the full sense of safety that many Johnson County communities have, but you also aren’t in any real danger either.

This is a lovely part of the Kansas City area and you should feel safe here.

You just aren’t going to find too much excitement without leaving the city boundaries.

How Does Prairie Village Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need either a U.S. Travel or Work Visa to visit here from outside the United States. The process takes up to four months and costs $160 dollars and up. Foreign travelers can move throughout the cities and even state lines in the area without needing a visa. You will need it at the airport upon arrival and departing.

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar here and this is a place made for credit card users. With so much shopping and great dining options, it's smart to keep all your expenses on one card so you can monitor for fraudulent activity. Always save your receipts to dispose of after you shred them.

Weather

Winter can be cold and snowy, so pack winter outerwear. You should check the forecast to see if you should bring snow boots because there isn't always snow on the ground here. Fall and spring will only require a light jacket, if that, and bring some layers of clothing as it can be cold in the morning but warm by lunchtime. Summer is hot and humid. You'll sweat a lot and need bug spray.

Airports

Kansas City International Airport is just 30 minutes north, but you do have to drive through the heart of the city. Plan for an hour of drive time if you are going during the morning or evening rush hours.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a smart way to plan a visit to Kansas, where the weather can quickly deteriorate and lead to delays and cancellations.

Prairie Village Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Kansas - Safety by City