Is St. Joseph Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

St. Joseph, Missouri, is a unique destination with a rich history and vibrant culture.

Founded in 1843, the city played a significant role in the westward expansion of the United States and served as a hub for the Pony Express and the Oregon Trail.

This city is also where famed outlaw Jesse James drew his last breath after being shot in the back of the head by one of the only people he trusted, which led to the movie name The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Today, visitors can explore St. Joseph’s storied past through its many museums, historic sites, and landmarks.

In addition to its historical significance, the city is also home to a thriving arts community, with galleries, theaters, and performance venues showcasing the talents of local artists and performers.

The Missouri River, which runs alongside the city, provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating, and hiking.

St. Joseph, or St. Joe as it’s known, is also somewhere in the middle of the main road between Omaha, Nebraska, and Kansas City.

This is also where the Kansas Chiefs NFL football team trains in the summer.

Warnings & Dangers in St. Joseph

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk here with crime rates that took it from one of the safest cities in the state to rival some of the most dangerous. It's not just the high crime rates but the inability to get it under control that causes this risk level.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Go St. Joe is the public bus system with eight fixed routes between this city and Elwood, Kansas just across the state line. Taxis and rideshares will be easy to find, but you're safest in a rental car if you plan to practice proper vehicle safety.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Over the past decade, the city has averages about 26 purse snatchings or pickpockets in a year, and with theft rates more than twice the national average, you should treat this as a medium risk.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Every month brings the potential for either severe weather or extreme winter weather, and that's a medium risk because you must be weather aware here. Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, blizzards, ice storms, and derechos are all possible.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The robbery rate is just above the national average, but it's the fact that robbery rates doubled between 2021 and 2022 that gives it a medium risk. There are just too many reckless criminals here to let your guard down.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is a low risk. The terrorists in this community are gangs and drug dealers, leading to a surge in criminal activity. While you should always be vigilant, there are far bigger things to worry about than an act of terrorism.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Nearly 63% of fraud crimes in 2022 were due to ATM or credit card fraud. Another 28% were identity theft. Instead of focusing on tourist scams, which are rare, take the extra steps to protect your credit cards, keep all receipts until you can shred them, and do not give personal information to sinister sources.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

While everyone should avoid high crime areas, women should use extra caution in every part of town because of the growing crime rates.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report offers detailed information about where water comes from in this region and how it's treated. All standards were met or exceeded, and no violations were reported. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline is available for any questions by calling (800) 426-4791.

Safest Places to Visit in St. Joseph

Stjomo.com is the official travel and tourism site for St. Joseph.

You can download a free visitor’s guide without having to give any personal information.

The organization also has a Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr account where you can learn more, watch videos, and see upcoming events.

Downtown St. Joseph is a mix of historic architecture and bright murals guiding you through the streets of locally-owned stores and restaurants.

The city is filled with historic districts that border each other, so you aren’t limited to just one part of the city.

Various walking tours of the city are available through the Clio app, which includes tours for art, building, history, ghost, and innovation lovers.

If you can’t choose which one is best for you, stop by the Historic St. Joseph Emporium and have a local help you get started with the perfect itinerary.

Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area is right next to the visitor’s center with an interactive timeline of the wars and injustices that were waged in this region.

The Pony Express Museum is a great destination for learning about the iconic Pony Express and the role it played in the development of St. Joseph.

For those interested in the history of notorious outlaws, the Jesse James Home Museum offers a glimpse into the life of one of America’s most famous criminals.

The Glore Psychiatric Museum is a fascinating place to learn about the history of mental health treatment and see artifacts from the former St. Joseph State Hospital.

Nature lovers will enjoy a visit to Krug Park, which features beautiful scenery and plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors.

St. Joseph Parkway also offers a meandering drive along 26 miles to enjoy the sights and sounds of all seasons, with many stops along the way to stretch your legs.

The Remington Nature Center is another great option for those who want to learn about the wildlife and natural resources of the Missouri River ecosystem.

Finally, the Robidoux Landing Playhouse is a popular destination for theater-goers and offers a wide range of productions throughout the year.

Places to Avoid in St. Joseph

You need to do a little tap dancing around the dangerous parts of St. Joseph because some are close to the districts tourists will want to see.

Near downtown, you should avoid Highly Street, North 11th Street, and Lewis Park.

Stick to the central part of the city north of Messanie Street, east of 3rd Street, and west of 10th Street.

On the south side of the city, avoid Kirschner Street.

“Kirschner and Angelique Street are two areas that deal with some sort of theft on a daily basis,” Sgt. Matt Kneib, crime prevention officer with SJPD.

“We get so many reports about cars getting hijacked, house burglaries, stolen purses and other personal items, nearly anything you can think of.

Even on Faraon, which isn’t too far from the police department, we’ve gotten a lot of reports regarding stolen mail and packages.”

East and north of the city, you’ll find safer neighborhoods and plenty of hotels.

Safety Tips for Traveling to St. Joseph

So... How Safe Is St. Joseph Really?

Where I live now in Nebraska, I drive through St. Joseph to get to and from my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.

I would never guess the crime rates are as high as they are in St. Joseph.

I urge you to take the same precautions I take just to be safe.

This is one of those cities where most crimes happen in impoverished and underserved communities, and if you don’t go looking for trouble you likely won’t find it.

However, the historic and attractive nature of the community can be a little comforting and cause people to let their guard down.

“Naturally, crime is going to be higher in poverty-stricken areas because you have people that are taking things they don’t have from other people,” Kneib said.

“Or, there are people associated with a gang, and it just becomes a cycle.

That’s why we have to do our job and make sure we’re policing those highly targeted areas, so people don’t feel comfortable doing these criminal acts.”

Basic advice like locking your car and being aware of your surroundings will go a long way here.

31% of all thefts were car break-ins or car accessory thefts like expensive catalytic converters.

Taking steps like leaving your car in a lot with security or in a garage will help.

That, mixed with situational awareness, is key to lowering your risk.

“Lock your vehicles, don’t leave your keys in them, and don’t leave any weapons in your vehicle.

A huge trend that we’re seeing: we’re losing a lot of guns from unlocked cars,” said Interim Police Chief David Hart in early 2023.

“Don’t leave your gun in a glass box on the side of the street.

We see it time and time and time again, so now we have a lot of guns that are in the hands of people who shouldn’t have them.”

St. Joseph is really a tourism gem in northwestern Missouri, but it does come with a great deal of necessary precautions since the violent crime rate is twice the national average.

How Does St. Joseph Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

International travelers need a passport and U.S. Visa to get through Customs at the airport. Starting the visa process first since it can take the longest. You won't need to show proof of visa in St. Joe, but you will use the passport as your legal ID.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the only currency accepted nationwide. You should not exchange currency in St. Joseph and definitely don't use ATMs. There's just too much crime, and you can get cash at the airport with lower fees anyway.

Weather

St. Joseph gets four seasons, and temperatures can be temperamental, changing from mild to cold to warm within a week. You'll need a warm winter coat and accessories, but check the seven-day forecast to see if you're getting lucky with a mild stretch of weather. Summers will be hot and humid, and you'll need bug spray.

Airports

The nearest commercial airport to St. Joseph is the Kansas City International Airport, which is approximately 50 miles south of the city.

Travel Insurance

There's too much of a severe or winter weather risk here to travel without some kind of protection against your investment. It's also smart to get full coverage on your rental car, given all the auto break-ins.

St. Joseph Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Missouri - Safety by City