Mississippi is located in the southern region of the United States, bordered by Tennessee, Alabama, the Gulf of Mexico, and Arkansas. It consists of 298 cities with a population of 2.943 million.
Whether you are relocating or visiting, you might be wondering how safe it is. Here, we will discuss safety in Mississippi and its overall crime rate.
We will list the top 10 safest cities in Mississippi with the latest crime rate statistics. For residents' safety, we will share some tips and ways to safeguard themselves from being a victim of a crime.
Is Mississippi Safe?
It depends on the city you live in. However, Mississippi is generally safe. Its Violent Crime Rate (VCR) is 2.03, and Property Crime Rate (PCR) is 15.87 per 1,000 residents. Both rates are lower than the national average of 4 (VCR) and 19 (PCR), respectively.
In 2024, the total violent crimes reported were 4,115. It includes 2,759 aggravated assaults, 884 non-sexual offenses, 353 robberies, and 119 murders. There is a 4.17% decrease in the crime rate compared to 2023.
The total number of property crimes reported in 2024 was 31,521. Which includes 353 robberies, 4,150 burglaries, 19,020 thefts, 4,320 fraud cases, 2,695 motor vehicle thefts, and others.
In 2025, there is a massive decrease of 35.21% in violent crimes till August 2025, which is commendable.
Source: State of Mississippi, NeighborhoodScout
Top 10 Safest Cities in Mississippi
Petal
Petal is safer than 73% of the US cities. Its crime rate is extremely low, which makes it one of the safest cities in the state.
Only 6 violent crimes and 44 property crimes were reported in a year. Its typical violent crime rate is 0.53, and its property crime rate is 3.86 per 1,000 residents.
The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime are 1 in 1,901, and property crimes are 1 in 259.
Brandon
Brandon's population is approximately 25,700, which is more than twice Petal's population. However, its crime rate is still low, and it is safer than 74% of the US cities.
The violent crime rate of the city is 0.86, while the property crime rate is 3.42 per 1,000 residents.
There were "1" murder, "8" rape, "1" robbery, and "12" assault cases reported in the FBI report 2024 (reflecting 2023). It defines how safe the city is. The chances of becoming a victim of violent crimes are 1 in 1,169, and property crimes are 1 in 292.
Hernando
The total crime rate of Hernando is 6.03 per 1,000 residents, with a total of 110 reports in a typical year. The violent crime rate is 0.55, while the property crime rate is 5.48 per 1,000 residents.
The total population of the city is approximately 18,200. And there were "0" murders reported in the FBI report (2024). With only 10 violent crimes in a year, this city is safer than 64% of the US cities.
Madison
Madison's total population is around 28,000, and despite this relatively high population, its violent crime rate is 0.43, and its property crime rate is 6.15 per 1,000 residents. And that makes the total crime rate 6.57.
According to the FBI report 2024 (reflecting 2023), there were "0" murders, "0" rape cases, and "0" robberies. There were only 12 assault cases. The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime are 1 in 2,332.
In the same year, there were only "1" motor vehicle theft and "7" burglary cases. The chances of becoming a victim of property crime are 1 in 163.
Holly Springs
Holly Springs is safer than 59% of the US cities. It's a city with a total population of approximately 6,700.
Its total crime rate per 1,000 residents is 6.83. Out of which, the violent crime rate is 1.78, and the property crime rate is 5.05.
In the FBI report 2024 (reflecting 2023), 12 violent crimes and 34 property crimes were reported. There were "0" murders and "0" robberies.
Long Beach
Long Beach's violent crime rate is extremely low, even lower than Petal. Its violent crime rate is 0.18 per 1,000 residents.
There were "0" murders, "0" robberies, "2" rapes, and "1" assaults reported. The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime are 1 in 5,664.
However, the property crime rate of Long Beach is 10.65, which is relatively high compared to others. But still around half of the national median of 19. In property crimes, theft cases are high, with a total of 155 reports.
Richland
The total crime rate of Richland is 10.14 per 1,000 residents, with a total of 75 reported cases. Out of which, the violent crime rate is 1.22, and the property crime rate is 8.92.
The population of the city is around 7,500, which is why, despite the low number of crimes, the crime rate is relatively high.
The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime are 1 in 822, and property crimes are 1 in 112.
Clinton
With a total population of approximately 27,000, the total crime rate of the city is 13.26, with a total of 354 cases.
The violent crime rate is 1.09, while the property crime rate is 12.17 per 1,000 residents. There were "1" murder, "2" rape cases, "9" robberies, and "17" assault cases reported in the FBI report (2024).
Waveland
Waveland is safer than 28% of the US cities. The total crime rate of the city is 15.88 per 1,000 residents.
The violent crime rate of the city is 0.29, which means it is safer than most of the cities in this list. There were only two violent crimes reported in the year 2023. And the chances of becoming a victim of violent crime are 1 in 3,495.
However, the property crime rate is relatively high. It is 15.59 per 1,000 residents with a total of 109 crimes reported.
Byram
Byram is also a city with a low violent crime rate, which is 1.03 per 1,000 residents. There were 13 violent crime cases, including "1" murder, "2" rapes, "3" robberies, and "7" assaults.
The property crime rate is comparatively high. It is 15.26 per 1,000 residents. It is a result of 12 burglaries, 139 thefts, and 42 motor vehicle thefts.
Source: NeighborhoodScout
Common Crimes in Mississippi
Violent Crimes
Assault: It's the most common violent crime in the state, with a total of 4,169 reported cases in a typical year. The rate is 1.42 per 1,000 residents.
Rape: The second one is rape, with a total of 958 cases. Its rate is 0.33 per 1,000 residents.
Robbery: 630 robbery cases were reported in a typical year, which makes the rate 0.21 per 1,000 residents.
Murder: With a total of 204 murder cases, the rate becomes 0.07 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crimes
Theft: It is the most common property crime, with 32,141 reported cases. The crime rate is 10.93 per 1,000 residents.
Burglary: The rate of burglary is 3.04 per 1,000 residents, with a total of 8,946 cases.
Motor Vehicle Theft: 5,570 motor vehicle theft cases were reported in a year.
Source: NeighborhoodScout
How Residents Can Ensure Safety in Mississippi?
Install a Security Camera System
A security camera system is a must-have to ensure the safety of your house and loved ones. No matter where you are, you can see everything through the camera. It gives peace of mind and keeps you updated.
For advanced security, the eufy ExpertSecure System E10 is an excellent choice. It's a 24/7 video alarm system with expert monitoring. You can be worry-free no matter where you are, as experts are ready to deal with intruders, break-ins, and potential threats. It protects your house through security cameras, an alarm system, entry sensors, smoke alarms, food/freeze alarms, and motion sensors. You get real-time updates for everything happening at your house.
If you are looking for a security camera system, the eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max can cover your Mississippi house. It's a reliable PoE camera system with powerful Triple Lens security cameras. They capture both wide-angle and close-up views with exceptional detail and clarity. They sync to track movements and keep you updated with real-time alerts. Through the local AI agent, they can detect potential threats and take decisive action. You can connect up to 16 security cameras and store videos in encrypted local storage.
Invest in Smart Gadgets
Smart gadgets enhance the security of your house. You can get smart locks, window sensors, automated lights, etc. These prevent the chances of theft and burglary and keep intruders away.
Safeguard Your Vehicle
Park in well-lit areas and keep your valuables out of sight. Lock the door and trunk and ensure there is nothing visible. You can also invest in car safety gadgets like a dashcam, a GPS tracker, a lock, etc.
Night Time Safety
At night, pick well-lit and public areas. Pay special attention to your surroundings and walk with confidence. Do not interact with strangers, and if you find anything suspicious, stay away from it. Do not display your phone, case, and other valuable items.
Stay in Touch with Neighbors
Your neighbors are your closest friends. Stay in touch with them as they can be the first to reach out in case of any problem. If you are new in the area, your neighbors can tell you a lot about safety.
Join Community Programs
Involvement in community gatherings and programs. Engage with the police in the events and address your concerns. Play your part in the community to reduce crime.
FAQs
What is the safest city in Mississippi to live in?
Petal is the safest city in Mississippi to live in. There are also other cities with low crime rates, such as Brandon, Hernando, and Long Beach.
Where does Mississippi rank in safety?
The national violent crime rate median is 4, and the property crime rate median is 19 per 1,000 residents. Mississippi's violent crime rate is 2.03, and the property crime rate is 15.87. Both crime rates are lower than the national average, which gives Mississippi a good rank in safety.
What city has the highest crime rate in Mississippi?
Jackson has the highest crime rate in Mississippi. The violent crime rate is 5.18, and the property crime rate is 35.30 per 1,000 residents. The overall crime rate is 40.48.
