St. Charles County in Missouri is rapidly growing and known for its prosperity, boasting a population of over 400,000. It features a wealth of historical sites, lovely parks, and quaint towns. Yet, not all parts of the county offer the same level of safety and desirability.
Certain neighborhoods face higher crime rates, lower quality of life, and reduced appeal compared to others. This article will delve into the five riskiest neighborhoods in St. Charles County, using crime data from sources like NeighborhoodScout and City-Data.
St. Peters
St. Peters, a sizable neighborhood near St. Louis, is home to approximately 58,000 residents. It’s famous for its shopping spots, recreational options, and outstanding parks. However, it does face a higher crime rate compared to the surrounding area, tallying 21.59 crimes for every 1,000 residents.
In terms of violent crimes, St. Peters reports 2.71 incidents per 1,000 residents. This figure is lower than the national average of 5.35 but exceeds the rates in some neighboring towns such as Cottleville and Dardenne Prairie.
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O’Fallon
O’Fallon, a sizable suburb of St. Louis, is home to approximately 89,000 residents. It’s considered one of the rapidly growing cities in the country and has received favorable ratings as a desirable living location in various publications.
However, it’s important to note that O’Fallon does experience a relatively elevated level of crime, with 23.08 reported incidents for every 1,000 residents. Much like St. Peters, a majority of these offenses are related to property, but O’Fallon also has a relatively higher rate of violent crimes at 3.13 per 1,000 residents, which is close to the national average.
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Wentzville
Wentzville is a small city in the western part of St. Charles County. It has around 42,000 residents and is known for its charming downtown area, yearly festivals, and its closeness to wineries and golf courses.
However, it faces a relatively high crime rate, with 28.01 crimes per 1,000 residents. Most of these are property crimes, making up 26.54 out of the 28.01 crimes per 1,000 residents. When it comes to violent crimes, Wentzville’s rate is 1.47 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than both the county and national averages.
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St. Charles
St. Charles is a city with about 71,000 people and it’s the main city in St. Charles County. It was founded in 1769 and holds historical significance as Missouri’s first permanent European settlement.
The city offers attractions like the Lewis and Clark Museum, the First Missouri State Capitol Historic Site, and the Historic Main Street District. However, it faces a high crime rate, with 36.11 crimes for every 1,000 residents.
This includes a relatively high violent crime rate of 4.84 for every 1,000 residents, almost twice as high as the county’s average of 2.57. Additionally, the property crime rate in St. Charles is also elevated at 31.27 for every 1,000 residents, which is more than double the state average of 14.92.
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West Alton
West Alton, a small town in the northeastern part of St. Charles County, has around 500 residents. It’s situated near where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers meet, and there are various wildlife and conservation areas nearby.
Regrettably, West Alton experiences the highest crime rates in St. Charles County. There are approximately 175 crimes reported for every 1,000 residents. This includes a violent crime rate of 20 per 1,000 residents, which is nearly eight times higher than the county’s average and four times higher than the national average.
Additionally, the property crime rate in West Alton is notably high at 155 per 1,000 residents. This is more than ten times higher than the county average and more than six times higher than the state average.
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Conclusion
St. Charles County is a lively and varied area with plenty to offer its residents and guests. Nevertheless, there are places where crime and violence occur more frequently.
If you stay informed about these areas and take necessary steps when you’re in or near them, you can lower your chances of being involved in any criminal incidents. This way, you can fully appreciate the county’s numerous attractions and advantages.
