Johnson County, Missouri, in the western part of the state, had about 54,013 people in the 2020 census. Warrensburg serves as both the county seat and the biggest city, housing the University of Central Missouri. Generally, the county has lower-than-average crime levels, earning an A- rating from CrimeGrade.org.
Yet, certain areas within the county have higher rates of violent and property crimes. According to data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, here are the 5 most dangerous neighborhoods in Johnson County, Missouri:
Warrensburg
Warrensburg, in Johnson County, is the biggest city with 19,376 people in 2019. Unfortunately, it has the highest crime rates in the county. In 2019, there were 293.6 violent crimes and 3,014.4 property crimes for every 100,000 residents.
Compared to the rest of the state and country, Warrensburg has higher crime rates. The violent crime rate is higher than the state average of 200.8 and the national average of 366.7. The property crime rate is also above the state average of 2,072.1 and the national average of 2,109.9.
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Knob Noster
Knob Noster is a town close to Whiteman Air Force Base, with around 2,811 residents in 2018. In the same year, it had the second-highest number of crimes in Johnson County, with 72.4 violent crimes and 1,628.7 property crimes per 100,000 people. While the violent crime rate in Knob Noster is below the state and national averages, the property crime rate is higher than both.
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Holden
Holden, situated in the eastern section of Johnson County, had around 2,525 residents in 2018. It experiences a relatively high level of crime compared to other areas in Johnson County. In 2018, there were 224 violent crimes and 2,643.4 property crimes per 100,000 people. Holden’s violent crime rate surpasses both state and national averages, while its property crime rate is a bit lower than the national average but higher than the state’s average.
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Leeton
Leeton is a town in the southern area of Johnson County. In 2017, it had 582 residents. It ranks fourth in terms of crime rate in the county. That year, there were no violent crimes, but there were 542.5 property crimes per 100,000 people. While Leeton’s property crime rate is less than the state and national averages, it’s relatively high for a small town.
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Chilhowee
Chilhowee, a town in the southwest of Johnson County, had 329 residents in 2010. It ranked fifth in crime rate in the county that year, though no violent or property crimes were reported. It’s worth noting that Chilhowee still has some level of crime risk. According to NeighborhoodScout.com, it scores 12 out of 100 on the crime index, indicating it’s safer than only 12% of U.S. cities.
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Conclusion
Here are some neighborhoods in Johnson County, Missouri, where there’s a higher risk of crime. Remember, this doesn’t mean everyone should completely avoid these areas. Crime can occur anywhere, anytime, so it’s vital to stay watchful and aware of your surroundings.
You can lower your chances of being a victim by being cautious. This includes locking doors and windows, safeguarding your belongings, reporting anything suspicious, and staying alert, especially at night or in places you’re not familiar with.
