Crime in Joplin, Missouri

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2019. In Joplin, however, property crimes account for about 92% of all offenses.

Property crime is much more prevalent in Joplin than it is nationwide. There were 3,677 property crimes in Joplin in 2019, or 7,262 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,110 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Joplin. There were 2,815 larcenies reported in Joplin in 2019, or 5,559 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,550 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 521 break-ins reported in Joplin in 2019, or 1,029 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 341 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2019.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 220 for every 100,000 people. In Joplin, meanwhile, there were 341 motor vehicle thefts in 2019, or 673 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the nearly 8.2 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2019. In Joplin, however, violent offenses account for a smaller 8% share of all reported crime.

At 606 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Joplin is well above the national violent crime rate of 379 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Joplin reported a total of 307 violent crimes in 2019.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in Joplin. There were 179 aggravated assaults reported in Joplin in 2019, or 354 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is lower, standing at 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 63 robberies reported in Joplin in 2019, a rate of 124 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 82 per 100,000 in 2019.

Rape

There were 63 rapes reported in Joplin in 2019, or 124 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,815 rapes in 2019, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There were 2 homicides committed in the city in 2019. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in Joplin is 3.9 murders for every 100,000 people, lower than the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.