Arkansas’s Safest Cities of 2024

See crime rates for the safest cities.

Arkansas leads the nation as second in violent crimes per 1,000 people and has the sixth-highest rate of property crime. Compared to the average American, Arkansans reported higher levels of concern about violent crime and property crime while also reporting a higher rate of first-hand experiences.

Arkansas has the second-highest violent crime rate (6.9 per 1,000 people) and the sixth-highest property crime rate (25.5) in the US. Though, violent and property crime decreased slightly year over year in The Natural State.

According to our latest State of Safety survey, 44% of Arkansas respondents felt safe in their state, which is one percentage point lower than the national sentiment. Most residents of Arkansas think that crime is on the rise, though, with 73% of Arkansans sharing this perspective. Arkansans also reported a higher rate of first-hand experiences with gun violence and package theft compared to the national average. 

Property crime rates decreased in Arkansas year over year, still representing 23% higher than the national average, though.

• Burglary accounts for 18% of all property crime in Arkansas.
• Larceny theft accounts for 72% of all property crime in Arkansas, 1% lower than the national average.
• Motor vehicle thefts account for 10% of all property crime in Arkansas, which is 29% lower than the national average.
• Of the Arkansans who use some form of property protection, most rely on security cameras (40%), firearms (30%), or guard dogs (40%).
• 19% of Arkansans use no form of property protection (25% US).
• 41% have increased their security measures, as opposed to the national average of 35%.

Most Arkansas residents think crime is increasing, and the Arkansans we surveyed claimed they personally experienced a 25% increase in violent crime compared to the previous year. 

• Violent crime accounts for 21% of all crime in Arkansas, which is 31% higher than the national average.
• Aggravated assault represents 76% of all violent crime in Arkansas, which is 6% higher than the national average.
• 41% of Arkansans reported using some form of personal protection (US 36%), with firearms leading the way at 46%.
• 20% of residents have reported having experienced violent crime (national average is 15%).

• 55% of Arkansans are concerned about gun violence (51% US).
• 18% reported an experience with gun violence in the 12 months prior to being surveyed (12% US).
• Survey respondents’ gun violence experiences increased 100% year over year.
• Arkansas experienced 9 mass shootings during 2023— four more than the previous year.
• Of the Arkansans who use some form of personal protection, 46% said they use concealed firearms (41% US).

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

• 92 cities in Arkansas met the criteria for ranking.
• Greenbrier and Cave Springs are new to our list and made it to the top two spots in their first year.
• Piggott fell 12 spots on this year's list.
• Six cites in our top 20 list reported zero murders, rapes, and robberies.
• Only two cities, Greenbrier and Gentry reported zero burglaries.
• Cave Springs was the only city to report only one aggravated assault. 

• Best Home Security Systems
• Best Home Security Cameras
• Best Video Doorbell Cameras
• Burglary Stats & Facts
• Over 50% Of All Burglaries Are Residential—How To Protect Your Family
• The Best Personal Safety Devices for Every Situation

Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 18, 2024.

• 2022 and 2021 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
  • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
• 2022 NIBRS Estimation Tables

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 18, 2024.

Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 18, 2023.