Arkansas’s 20 Safest Cities of 2023

SafeWise is an independent review site. We may earn money when you click links on our site. Learn how we rank and review.

The SafeWise Team is pleased to release the ninth annual Safest Cities report.

Here are the 10 Safest Cities in Arkansas for 2023

See if your city made the full list.

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

In this report

Light Bulb
Are you moving?

Check out International Van Lines. It's one of the best professional moving companies in the country, with transparent pricing, discounts, comprehensive service options, and helpful customer service.

2023 Arkansas crime rates

Arkansas has the highest violent crime rate (7.1 per 1,000 people) and the fifth-highest property crime rate (26.5) in the US.

Violent crime increased by nearly 6% in The Natural State year over year, and property crime increased by about 1%.

Property and violent crime rates in Arkansas

Image: SafeWise

Level of concern and experience with crime in Arkansas

According to our latest State of Safety survey, 51% of Arkansas respondents felt safe in their state, which is 1 percentage point higher than the national sentiment.

Residents of Arkansas are among those most likely to think that crime is on the rise, with 73% of Arkansans sharing this perspective.

However, Arkansas residents feel less concerned about violent crime and property crime than their neighbors in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Arkansans also reported a lower rate of first-hand experiences with gun violence and package theft compared to those states. 

Level of concern and experience with natural disasters Arkansas

This year we asked our State of Safety survey participants about their natural disaster concerns, preparations, and experiences. Arkansans were most concerned about strong or high winds (63%) and least concerned about hurricanes (40%). Arkansans' concerns typically matched national sentiment.

Arkansans indicated they were less prepared than the average American for a natural disaster. Around 34% said they had a family emergency plan (US 40%), 38% had an emergency kit (US 44%), and 38% had taken no disaster preparedness actions (US 32%). 

About 7% of Arkansans said they evacuated due to a natural disaster in the previous 12 months, which is lower than the national average of 11%.

Crime concerns in Arkansas

We asked Arkansas residents which crimes they worry may happen to them. See if Arkansans are concerned about the same crime issues as the rest of the country. 

Image: SafeWise

View the complete 2023 State of Safety report.

Violent crime in Arkansas: Fear vs. reality

Most Arkansas residents think crime is increasing, which matches the nearly 6% increase in the violent crime rate the FBI reported. Arkansans we surveyed claimed they personally experienced a 35% increase in violent crime compared to the previous year. 

  • Violent crime accounts for 21% of all crime in Arkansas, which is 4 percentage points higher than the national average.
  • Aggravated assault represents 81% of all violent crime in Arkansas, which is 9 percentage points higher than the national average.
  • 49% of Arkansans reported using some form of personal protection (US 39%), with pocket knives leading the way at 59%.
  • 42% of Arkansas residents say their personal safety has been affected by the pandemic, which is 2 percentage points lower than the national average.

Attitudes about gun violence in Arkansas

  • 48% of Arkansans are concerned about gun violence (47% US).
  • 9% reported an experience with gun violence in the 12 months prior to being surveyed (12% US).
  • Survey respondents’ gun violence experiences decreased 9% year over year.
  • Arkansas experienced 5 mass shootings during the reporting year—the same number as the previous year.
  • Of the Arkansans who use some form of personal protection, 33% said they use concealed firearms (41% US).

Property crime in Arkansas: Fear vs. reality

Property crime rates increased in Arkansas year over year, representing a 37% increase over the national average.

  • Burglary accounts for 18% of all property crime in Arkansas, which is 4 percentage points above the national average. 
  • Motor vehicle thefts account for 11% of all property crime in Arkansas, which is 3 percentage points lower than the national average.
  • Of the Arkansans who use some form of property protection, most rely on security cameras (41%), firearms (37%), or guard dogs (36%).
  • Arkansans tend to align with the average American in terms of package theft prevention, with 30% choosing verified delivery (27% US) and 27% using doorbell cameras (28% US). 
  • 24% of Arkansas residents say the security of their property has been affected by the pandemic, which is 4 percentage points lower than the national sentiment.

A closer look at the safest cities in Arkansas

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.

  • 87 cities in Arkansas met the criteria for ranking.
  • Piggott moved up 4 places to top this year's list.
  • Piggott, Pottsville, Austin, Brookland, Vilonia, and Cherokee Village reported 5 or fewer violent crimes. 
  • 90% of Arkansas’s safest cities reported 0 murders. Gentry reported 1 murder and Bentonville reported 2. 
  • Property crime rates decreased year over year in 14 of Arkansas’s 20 safest cities while violent crime rates decreased in 9. Austin, Prairie Grove, Pea Ridge, Cherokee Village, Bentonville, Gravette, and Dardanelle saw decreases in both categories.
  • Bentonville—the most populous of Arkansas’s safest cities—accounts for 37% of the property crime and 37% of the violent crime reported by all 20 cities.
  • Gentry, Gravette, and Dardanelle are the only safest cities with violent crime rates higher than the national average. 
20 Safest Cities in Arkansas map

Image: SafeWise

The 20 safest cities in Arkansas

Piggott, Arkansas
#1
Piggott
(
+4
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    3,464
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $39,731
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.9, 0.6, 4.8
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.9, 9.4, 14.6
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Pottsville, Arkansas
#2
Pottsville
(
+1
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    3,423
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $59,922
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.6, 1.5, 3.9
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.6, 5.0, 5.4
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Austin, Arkansas
#3
Austin
(
+9
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,874
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $78,878
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.4, 2.5, 1.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.9, 14.1, 5.3
Greenwood, Arkansas
#4
Greenwood
(
-2
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    9,426
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $57,837
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.3, 2.1, 2.4
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.1, 3.4, 3.8
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Brookland, Arkansas
#5
Brookland
(
New
Icon Blank
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,136
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $67,417
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.0, N/A, 1.9
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.0, N/A, 16.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Bella Vista, Arkansas
#6
Bella Vista
(
-2
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    29,723
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $74,972
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.0, 1.9, 1.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.9, 5.8, 6.5
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Elkins, Arkansas
#7
Elkins
(
New
Icon Blank
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    3,778
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $66,809
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.4, N/A, 7.4
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.0, N/A, 8.3
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Gentry, Arkansas
#8
Gentry
(
-1
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,323
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $51,750
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.6, 4.2, 3.8
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.5, 5.1, 5.4
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Vilonia, Arkansas
#9
Vilonia
(
-0-
Icon Blank
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,824
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $70,143
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.0, 0.8, 1.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.4, 14.2, 11.5
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Geographic location of Prairie Grove, AR
#10
Prairie Grove
(
+8
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    7,380
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $50,625
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.6, 3.5, 2.4
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    8.0, 15.2, 20.3
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Farmington, Arkansas
#11
Farmington
(
-3
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    7,748
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $77,443
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.6, 2.4, 4.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    8.4, 9.9, 9.1
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Pea Ridge, Arkansas
#12
Pea Ridge
(
+1
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    6,652
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $88,942
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.0, 3.9, 3.9
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.2, 12.0, 11.1
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Cherokee Villagem, Arkansas
#13
Cherokee Village
(
+7
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,650
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $32,730
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.4, 2.4, 2.2
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    14.2, 18.9, 16.8
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Haskell, Arkansas
#14
Haskell
(
-8
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,700
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $80,350
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.6, 1.1, 3.4
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.9, 8.6, 15.9
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
White Hall, Arkansas
#15
White Hall
(
-5
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,830
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $82,275
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.7, 2.7, 1.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    11.0, 13.3, 13.8
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Bentonville, Arkansas
#16
Bentonville
(
-0-
Icon Blank
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    60,329
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $89,653
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.8, 3.2, 2.2
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    12.0, 14.9, 13.7
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#17
Gravette
(
+11
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    3,660
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $54,265
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.4, 6.5, 4.1
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    8.7, 14.6, 22.4
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Lowell, Arkansas
#18
Lowell
(
-4
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    10,171
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $80,026
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.8, 2.5, 2.9
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    12.7, 14.9, 12.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Maumelle, Arkansas
#19
Maumelle
(
-8
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    18,343
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $83,104
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.4, 1.4, 1.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    15.6, 15.8, 16.5
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#20
Dardanelle
(
+14
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,475
  • Circle Dollar
    Median Income
    $43,397
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.2, 6.9, 6.1
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.3, 17.0, 25.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.

How to make a safe home anywhere

Whether your city made our list or not, we encourage everyone to be proactive about home security. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens is to add a home security system.

Light Bulb
Get a home security system

Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the Best Home Security Systems—and learn the basics with our guide on Everything You Need to Know About Home Security

Compare the best home security systems

Brand
Best for
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Starter equipment price
Contract required
Smart home compatibility Icon Tooltip  Dark
Learn more
Read review
Best overall$599.00
Icon Yes  LightNo *
Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
Budget pick$245.00
Icon Yes  LightNo
Amazon,
Google
Most experienced$0.00
Icon No  LightYes
Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave
Best customer experienceQuote required
Icon Yes  LightNo
Amazon, Google
Best optional monitoring$199.15
Icon Yes  LightNo
Amazon,
Google,
Z-Wave

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.

Full ADT disclaimer

Didn't find your city?

We calculated crime rates for every city in the state that met our population threshold, based on the state’s median population as calculated using FBI data. To request a report of the remaining cities in your state email info@safewise.com with the subject line: Safest Cities Full Report.

NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2021.

Curious about crime and safety in your area?
We've got the goods. Sign up for our weekly newsletter emails to get the latest news and tips to make your life safer.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.


Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state image or dropdown menu below to check out the safest cities for each state.


Related articles on SafeWise


Endnotes and sources

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed February 6, 2023.

  • 2021 and 2020 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2021 NIBRS Estimation Tables

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, "Offenses Known to Law Enforcement [2019]." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed February 6, 2023.

US Census Bureau, "2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables." Accessed February 6, 2023.

US Census Bureau, "2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables." Accessed February 6, 2023.

SafeWise, "2022 State of Safety survey." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "General Methodology." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "Past Summary Ledgers." Accessed January 3, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "Congress."

  • 2022 totals: Accessed January 3, 2023.
  • 2021 and 2020 totals: Accessed December 19, 2022.
Cathy Habas
Written by
Cathy Habas
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

Recent Articles

woman adjusting thermostat in bright home
10 Best Home Security Systems of 2023
After hundreds of hours of tests and research, plus a combined 50+ years of experience,...
man pointing at smart home control app on a tablet
The Best Smart Home Security Systems
We’ve tested and researched smart home security systems to help you find the right DIY...
watching camera feed on tablet
Best Wireless Home Security Systems
Wireless home security systems are more popular than ever. They’re easy to install and hard...
small yellow single family home
Abode vs Ring: Which security system is better?
Abode reigns over Ring in this DIY system face-off, but it’s not a clean sweep....