Little Rock perhaps has a reputation for being an incredibly crime-ridden city. That said, the city offers many positive attributes, making it important for current and prospective residents to understand the details behind the Little Rock, AR, crime rate.
While the city does experience elevated levels of criminal activity, examining the specific statistics provides valuable context. For instance, property crime contributes substantially to the overall numbers, though the area’s violent crime rate also exceeds both state and national averages.
Little Rock: One of Arkansas’ Most Dangerous Cities
Little Rock in Pulaski County is home to more than 200,000 residents, making it Arkansas’ most populous city. When compared to other areas throughout the state, Little Rock experiences a higher overall crime rate—encompassing both violent crimes and property offenses.
Crime rates must be understood relative to population size. While the state’s largest city naturally reports more crime than smaller communities, Little Rock’s crime rate remains substantially higher than the statewide average. Statistics show that Arkansas experiences 17 crimes per square mile statewide, whereas Little Rock records 121 crimes per square mile.
The city’s violent crime rate stands at 18.25 per 1,000 residents, more than double the state’s rate of 6.45. Statewide, a person’s odds of becoming a crime victim are 1 in 155, but those odds increase to 1 in 55 within Little Rock.
Property crimes occur frequently throughout Arkansas, at a rate of 24.52 per 1,000 residents, placing your odds of property crime victimization at 1 in 41 statewide. Little Rock’s property crime rate is considerably higher; city residents face a 1 in 19 chance of becoming property crime victims (a rate of 53.83 per 1,000 residents).
Little Rock, AR, Is Among the Country’s Highest Crime Rate Cities
Given that Little Rock’s crime rate significantly exceeds the state average, it’s understandable that the city appears among the nation’s highest-crime cities. Little Rock holds the position as the U.S. city with the fifth-highest violent crime rate.
Nationally, unspecified crime events occur at a rate of 27 offenses per square mile, considerably lower than Little Rock’s rate of 121.
Little Rock’s violent crime rate of 18.25 per 1,000 residents exceeds the national average of 4 crimes per 1,000 people by more than four times. The city’s property crime frequency of 53.83 is over twice the national average of 20 property violation incidents per 1,000 people.
What’s It Like Living in Little Rock?
Despite being Arkansas’s largest city and capital, Little Rock retains a dense suburban atmosphere across its neighborhoods and districts. While the city is recognized for its elevated crime rates, averaging over 14,000 offenses annually (72.08 crimes per 1,000 residents), residents also appreciate Little Rock’s other attributes that offset these concerns, making it an attractive place to call home.
The city boasts a remarkably diverse population, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, and a vibrant nightlife scene. Commuting throughout the area is convenient. Little Rock serves as an excellent location for both young professionals and families, offering above-average public schools, fitness centers, employment prospects, and housing availability.
Another major draw for residents is Little Rock’s affordable cost of living, combined with temperate weather that makes the city even more enjoyable and easy to appreciate.
FAQs
Q: Where Is Little Rock Ranked for Crime?
A: According to the most recent data of the U.S. cities with the highest violent crime rates, Little Rock ranks as having the fifth-highest rate of violent crime nationwide. Little Rock reports events of violent crime as occurring at a rate of 1,634 offenses per 100,000 people. Little Rock is outranked by the cities of:
- Memphis, TN
- Baltimore, MD
- Detroit, MI
- St. Louis, MO
St. Louis ranked as the city with the highest violent crime rate.
Q: Is Little Rock, Arkansas, a Good Place to Live?
A: Whether a person will find Little Rock, AR, to be the right place to live depends on their individual needs and available resources. The city has a high rate of crime, particularly property offenses, but this is not unexpected for a major city.
Little Rock also has a low cost of living, beautiful weather and scenery, job opportunities, and other appealing aspects.
Q: Is It Safe to Walk Around Little Rock, Arkansas?
A: Just as it is with any other city that has a high rate of crime, it is relatively safe to walk around Little Rock, but you should always practice caution. Remain aware of your surroundings, and stay in well-lit areas.
Preferably, walk only in the parts of town that you’re familiar with, and don’t go to unfamiliar areas at night. Some consider the safest neighborhoods in Little Rock to include Ferndale, Northpoint, Duquesne Place, Aberdeen Court, and Bayonne Place.
Q: Where Is the Bad Part of Little Rock?
A: One source reports that the Little Rock neighborhoods where one has the highest chances of becoming a victim of either a violent offense or a property crime include the part of the city that’s east of I-30, East Little Rock, East Roosevelt, and the neighborhoods of Town and Country, Pinedale, Oak Forest, and Briarwood.
Experienced Criminal Defense Law Firm in Little Rock, Arkansas
At the office of Lemley DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers, our skilled team of Little Rock criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to providing quality counsel and representation to each of our clients.
Whether you’ve been accused of robbery, domestic violence, a gun violation, theft, or another form of illegal activity, reach out to our experienced defense lawyers. We can review your case and discuss your next steps with you.
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