Discover the Safest City in Mississippi: A Complete Guide

Mississippi, with its Southern charm, has towns both small and urban. Despite a high crime rate in some areas, there are many places one of which you may consider the safest city in Mississippi. These are remarkable in safety, making this a place comprised of a range of security. In this article, you will learn everything about Mississippi, such as the safest and most dangerous cities and the crimes and their specific solutions.

Is Mississippi a Safe Place to Live?

The city or town where you live makes or breaks Mississippi's safety. The state’s overall crime rate is way lower than the national average, with violent crime at 2.51 incidents per 1,000 residents (compared to the national average of 3.6) and property crime at 32.2 per 1,000 (national average: 21.1).

Yet some small towns such as Petal and Madison stay low on crime and high on community, while D'Iberville fights to keep its crime down. Statewide, violent crime is on the decline, but property crime is a problem in many places.

Top 10 Safest Cities in Mississippi

Let us have a look at the safest cities in Mississippi

Petal

Petal is known as “The Friendly City” and it always ranks as Mississippi’s safest city. Petal is a family-friendly atmosphere with a violent crime rate of 0.7 per 1,000 and property crime at 4.3 per 1,000, and it has a proactive approach to community policing.

Madison

Madison is one of Jackson's affluent suburbs with a violent crime rate of 0.5 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000. The safety of its neighborhoods comes from its well-funded police department and strong community programs.

Hernando

Hernando offers low crime rates with a bit of small-town charm. Property crime is 5.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime is 0.9 per 1,000, which are far below national averages. One of the safest places to live in Mississippi, its close-knit community and vigilant law enforcement make it one of the finest places to live.

Brandon

A violent crime rate of 1.1 per 1,000 residents and 4.9 per 1,000 property crime rate makes Brandon, near the state capital, one of the safest places in Mississippi. Crime levels are low in the city because public safety and community development remain a focus.

Clinton

Clinton has a violent crime rate of 0.9 per 1,000 and property crime is 11.0 per 1,000. A strong sense of community, and proactive policing make sure that you can live in safety both as professionals who gain a living from the area and as families who live there.

Long Beach

Violent crime is 0.5 per 1,000 residents and property crime rates are at 15.6 per 1,000 here in this coastal town. The laid-back vibe and emphasis on good lives in the community are just a couple of aspects of why Long Beach is safe.

Waveland

The crime rate of Waveland is 0.7 per 1,000 for violent crime and 14.6 per 1,000 for property crime. Its small population and literate citizens keep crime rates low and make for difficult smuggling spots.

Holly Springs

The violent crime rate of Holly Springs is 3.5 per 1,000 residents with 3.2 per 1,000 for property crime. Being in a strong community but also having a commitment to safety initiatives makes this a safe place to reside.

Richland

Richland is a good place to live: safe, growing, and at a violent crime rate of 1.4 per 1,000 and property crimes at 14.1 of 1,000. Safety and community development are focused in the city.

Byram

The last on the list, Byram has a violent crime rate of 2.4 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 11.1 per 1,000. It’s close to Jackson, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it still strives to make sure the place is safe and welcoming.

Source: SafeWise

What Crime Are Mississippi Residents Concerned About Most?

Violent and property crimes are the principal concern of Mississippi residents, varying somewhat by urban or rural location.

Violent Crime

Mississippi is averaging 2.51 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Incidents are more common in urban areas, like D'Ibervilles and Biloxi, and less so in the small towns of Madison and Petal.

Property Crime

Statewide, property crime is a greater concern as on average 32.2 incidents occur per 1,000 residents. Specifically, thefts, burglaries, and motor vehicle crimes are frequent in urban areas.

5 Most Dangerous Cities in Mississippi

Here are the 5 most dangerous cities in Mississippi:

D'Iberville

With 14,125 in population, D'Iberville has a higher crime rate of 64.1 per 1000. However, the city has made strategic public safety investments and still has a lot of things working for it.

Biloxi

Its population of 46,185 has a crime rate of 61.7 per 1000. Public security is balanced with growth as well as the city’s ability to be resilient and safety adaptive.

Pascagoula

Pascagoula, a city of 21,610 people, has a crime rate of 60.0 per 1000. It continues to engage with the communities and authorities who have worked with law enforcement to prioritize safety.

Gulfport

The second largest of the cities, Gulfport, has a population of 72,383 with a crime rate of 51.5 per 1000. As a focus towards urban safety, it takes a proactive approach to reduce the incidents.

Vicksburg

Vicksburg, which is home to 21,928 people, has a crime rate of 50.67 per 1,000 people. However, these figures are expected to decrease dramatically through ongoing safety and community programs.

Source: FBI

How to Stay Safe in Mississippi?

Here are some of the most effective measures you can take:

• Get yourself a security system with security cameras to keep people away.
• Even if you are at home, lock all doors and windows.
• Do not venture into urban areas, especially during the night.
• Do not leave valuables where anyone can see inside the vehicle.
• Get a firearm in your home for safety reasons.
• Keep a guard dog if possible, to protect the property 24/7.

FAQs

1. What is the Most Crime-Ridden City in Mississippi?

D'Ibervilles is the city in Mississippi with the highest crime rate of 0.71 violent crimes and 63.36 property crimes per 1000 residents, which is way above the national average.

2. What Part of Mississippi is the Safest to Live in?

Florence is the safest city in Mississippi (a violent crime rate per 1000 residents of 0.67 and a property crime rate of 2.67 per 1000).

Conclusion

You will find a blend of safe small towns and cities with higher crime rates in Mississippi. Low crime and strong community ties highlight Petal and Madison, blocks further away from the downtown areas of D'Ibervilles. If you stay up to date and take a few simple precautions, you can easily find the safest city in Mississippi.