Is Vincennes Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Voulez-vous voir Vincennes, Indiana?

This is Indiana’s oldest city and its history goes back so much further than when the French settled here.

It’s hard to even walk around Vincennes without bumping into a piece of history.

Native American Mounds, Revolutionary War re-enactments, the George Rogers Clark Memorial (of Lewis & Clark exploratory fame), and so much more greet you in Vincennes (“Vin-senzz”).

A little traveler tip here – if you go to indianamuseum.org you can purchase a family membership and save a ton of money if you plan to visit a lot of museums in Indiana.

There are more than 300 museums on the list, 11 of them in and around Vincennes.

This is also the home of comedian Red Skelton and his legacy is honored at the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy.

In true southern Indiana style, you can also visit plenty of agricultural spots and have some of the freshest fruits and veggies you’ll ever taste.

Vincennes is outlined by the Wabash River on the west, with Illinois on the other side.

It is also about equal distance to Indianapolis, Louisville, or St. Louis.

Warnings & Dangers in Vincennes

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There is a lot of bad information out there about Vincennes, calling it one of the most dangerous cities of its size. That must be really outdated data, because my investigative and math skills show there's a pretty low crime rate, aside from one specific category. There's a low risk here, but hold on to your stuff.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

I'm a little surprised Vincennes doesn't have a public transportation system, but all of the main tourist sites in town are pretty close. The walkability shouldn't be too difficult. You can call a taxi or rideshare, but it might take a while. Having a car is almost a must here.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk here. Especially in a city with less than 17,000 people, having 11 purse snatching is the highest I've seen outside of major cities. The average loss was $250. You should take precautions to keep your purse and wallet secured. Don't leave a purse unattended. It's interesting that there were 11 purses snatched, but not a single pickpocket.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

You'll face a medium risk throughout the year, but that risk is more for the potential, not the day-to-day risks. The main concerns are flooding, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail storms, winter storms, ice storms, and extreme heat/cold. The Knox County Emergency Management website has great tips to help with all kinds of weather concerns.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There is a low risk here with just three robberies reported in 2020. One word of caution - Indiana has seen increasing gun violence, so that risk could change quickly. For now, the biggest risk is purse snatching and car break-ins.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Vincennes isn't big enough, close enough to a big city, or target-rich enough for a terrorist to even consider an attack here.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There's a local scam where someone calls you to say your car has been impounded and police are going to arrest you if you don't pay up. Vincennes also has enough tourist attractions that there might be scams online offering bogus tickets at low prices. Only buy tickets from legitimate outlets. Because of the potential, it's a medium risk level for Vincennes.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Vincennes is a safe place for a woman, especially when sightseeing. Women should still avoid walking around at night alone or going through unknown neighborhoods. Stay on well-lit streets and never go to a private place with someone you have just met.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2022 Water Quality Report shows no violations in the city and all tests meet or exceed requirements. For future reference, when you do your own research, all water utilities in the United States are required to post an annual report by June 1 for the previous year. You can search by "Water Quality Report" or "Consumer Confidence Report" to find it.

Safest Places to Visit in Vincennes

I wish I had the space in this article to detail all the great museums in Vincennes, but the Visit Vincennes organization does a great job on its website.

Here is a list of the top destinations:

• George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
• Indiana Military Museum
• Fort Knox II
• Grouseland, President William Henry Harrison Mansion
• Knox County Veteran Memorial Park
• Old French House
• Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy
• Vincennes State Historic Sites

AgriTourism is a big deal in Indiana, and the Vincennes/Knox County region is ripe for the picking when it comes to options:

• Windy Knoll Winery
• Apple Hill Orchard
• Big Peach
• Little Hill Flower Farm
• McKinley’s Orchard
• Melon Acres
• Prairie Acres Farm Market

The “Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous” is held one weekend in May each year at The French Commons.

This isn’t just for Revolutionary War reenactments.

This is a fully immersive 18th-century festival with food cooked on an open fire and items for sale in rudimentary tents.

Just across the river from the Clark Historical Park is the Lincoln Trail State Memorial, where you can walk in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln and his family as they first crossed into Illinois.

Places to Avoid in Vincennes

The city center has the highest crime rate, but since much of that crime rate is driven by theft, that makes sense because there are more people there.

There isn’t a part of this city that is too dangerous to drive through, but in the spirit of safety, stick to main roads and well-lit areas.

You’ll want to check your preferred attractions before you book travel, as some of the places are open seasonally or during limited hours in the winter.

Indiana is also a state where Sundays are “God’s Day” and some businesses might be closed or have reduced hours of operation.

The Wabash River seems like an inviting respite for boating, kayaking, or swimming, but this is a wild river, so you have to use caution.

There are no marinas, patrols, or river traffic here. As one journalist wrote, “People rarely notice the Wabash until it floods.”

Safety Tips for Traveling to Vincennes

So... How Safe Is Vincennes Really?

Vincennes is a small town with an average amount of crime.

In 2020, 15 violent crimes happened in the community and not a single one involved a stranger.

87% of violent crimes happened in homes.

In 2022, the most common arrests were made for drug-related crimes.

To demonstrate that no city is safe from crime, even on Christmas, there was a suspicious man dressed as the Grinch arrested after walking around neighborhoods and approaching doors.

There was also a burglary spree at local businesses on Christmas Day.

Theft is the big concern here, whether it’s shoplifting, car break-ins, or those purse snatchings we talked about.

You should always lock your car with the windows rolled up and never leave anything inside the car in plain sight – not even the GPS holder.

The 2020 theft rate showed a one in 28 risks of being a victim.

That should be enough to make you take extra steps to protect your belongings.

A few basic safety steps here are going to help you have a historic time of your life in Vincennes, Indiana.

How Does Vincennes Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need to prepare various documents and personal information to get a U.S. visa, and you'll be required to do an in-person interview. Once you've arrived in the country, you don't need to show a visa to move between cities or states. You can travel freely until you return home.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the only currency accepted here, and you should try to purchase as much as you can ahead of time. That family membership for the museums is poised to save you a lot of money. You won't need to carry cash here, but if you want to exchange currency, do it at the airport.

Weather

Winters can be cold and snowy, so pack full winter gear. Don't forget warm socks and thick hats to keep heat from easily escaping your body. Summers are going to be humid, so plan to sweat a lot. Packing electrolytes like the Liquid IV product can help you stay hydrated and healthy during your visit. It's not uncommon to get snow in the springtime here, so always bring a coat if you visit before May.

Airports

If you are flying out of Indianapolis or Louisville, it will be at all times in the Eastern Time Zone. If you drive to St. Louis's airport, which is in the central time zone, you'll gain an hour driving there.

Travel Insurance

You should consider travel insurance due to the weather risks, the amount of time you'll spend on the road, and the unpredictability of air travel.

Vincennes Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Indiana - Safety by City