Greene County, located in the northeastern part of Arkansas, is a rural area with around 46,000 residents. The county’s main city is Paragould, which is also its largest. According to BestPlaces, Greene County experiences higher rates of both violent and property crime compared to the national averages.
Specifically, the violent crime rate in Greene County is 24.4 per 100,000 residents, which is notably above the U.S. average of 22.7. Similarly, the property crime rate in Greene County stands at 48 per 100,000 residents, considerably higher than the national average of 35.4.
So, which neighborhoods within Greene County have the highest levels of crime? Based on data from CrimeGrade.org, we’ve compiled a list of the five neighborhoods with the greatest per capita rates of violent crime in Greene County. If you’re visiting Greene County, these are the areas you might want to exercise extra caution in or possibly avoid altogether.
Marmaduke
Marmaduke, a small town located in the northern area of Greene County, has approximately 1,200 residents. Unfortunately, the town faces significant challenges when it comes to crime rates. Their violent crime rate stands at 474.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, a striking 21 times higher than the national average.
Additionally, property crime is a major concern in Marmaduke, with a rate of 3,718.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is over 10 times higher than the national average.
It’s worth noting that Marmaduke experienced a tragic tornado in 2006, resulting in the loss of two lives and causing injuries to many residents.
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West Paragould
West Paragould is the western area of Paragould, which is the largest city and county seat of Greene County. It has a population of around 9,500 people. The violent crime rate is 519.8 per 100,000 residents, over 22 times higher than the national average.
Additionally, it experiences a high property crime rate of 4,711.9 per 100,000 residents, which is over 13 times higher than the national average. West Paragould is known for hosting various industrial and manufacturing businesses like American Railcar Industries and Anchor Packaging.
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Brookland
Brookland, situated in the southern region of Greene County, is home to approximately 3,300 residents. The town faces notable safety challenges, with a violent crime rate of 186.2 per 100,000 residents, exceeding the national average by more than eight times.
Property crime is also a concern, with a rate of 1,596.2 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by over four times. Brookland’s location along Highway 49 facilitates access to nearby Paragould and Jonesboro. Additionally, the town features various churches and schools within its community.
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East Paragould
East Paragould is the eastern part of the city of Paragould, which is the largest in Greene County and serves as its county seat. The population of East Paragould is approximately 14,500 people, with a notably high violent crime rate of 1,049.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is over 46 times the national average.
In addition, East Paragould experiences a significant property crime rate of 4,711.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is more than 13 times higher than the national average.
Despite these statistics, East Paragould offers various attractions and amenities, including Crowley’s Ridge State Park, Arkansas State University-Paragould, and the Greene County Museum.
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Gainesville
Gainesville, situated in the central part of Greene County, has a small population of around 200 residents. Unfortunately, it has a significantly high rate of violent crime, measuring at 1,500 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is over 66 times the national average.
Additionally, the property crime rate is also notably elevated at 5,000 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is more than 14 times higher than the national average.
In the past, Gainesville used to be the county seat of Greene County until 1883. Following a dispute, which involved gunfire, the county seat was relocated to Paragould. Gainesville is situated along the St. Francis River and features a historic cemetery along with a post office.
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Conclusion
Greene County, Arkansas, experiences a notably high level of crime, particularly in terms of violent incidents. Within the county, certain neighborhoods stand out as more hazardous, with violent crime rates well above the national average.
These neighborhoods include Marmaduke, West Paragould, Brookland, East Paragould, and Gainesville. Although each area has its own unique history, demographics, and traits, they all face a shared challenge of crime and violence.
Individuals, whether they are visitors or residents of Greene County, should be mindful of these neighborhoods and take precautions when in or around them.
