Arkansas’s Safest Cities of 2024

Cathy Habas
Mar 18, 2024
bullet2 min read
SafeWise is pleased to release the 10th annual Safest Cities report.

Here are the 10 Safest Cities in Arkansas for 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.

In this report

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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 2022.

2024 Arkansas crime rates

Arkansas's crime rates are higher than nationwide rates for violent crime and property crime.

Image: SafeWise

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.

Level of concern and experience with crime in Arkansas

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 in Arkansas: Fear vs. reality

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%.

What security measures are used most in Arkansas?

Security measures used most in Arkansas: security cameras, guard dogs, firearms

Image: SafeWise


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What crimes are Arkansas residents concerned about most?

Bar chart showing percentages of how concerned state residents are about crime compared to the national averages for violent crime, property crime, package theft and gun violence.

Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in Arkansas: Fear vs. reality

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%).

Attitudes about gun violence in Arkansas

  • 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).

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.

  • 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. 

The 20 safest cities in Arkansas

Image: SafeWise

Greenbrier, Arkansas
#1
Greenbrier
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    5,954
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.7, N/A, 0.2
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.7, N/A, 2.4
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Cave Springs, Arkansas
#2
Cave Springs
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    6,218
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.8, N/A, N/A
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    3.1, N/A, N/A
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Greenwood, Arkansas
#3
Greenwood
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    9,705
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.3, 1.3, 2.1
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    3.7, 5.1, 3.4
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Austin, Arkansas
#4
Austin
(
-1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    4,547
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.7, 0.4, 2.5
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    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    6.2, 5.9, 14.1
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Bella Vista, Arkansas
#5
Bella Vista
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    31,316
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.6, 2.0, 1.9
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    4.5, 5.9, 5.8
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Centerton, Arkansas
#6
Centerton
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    21,927
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.9, N/A, N/A
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    4.7, N/A, N/A
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Farmington, Arkansas
#7
Farmington
(
+4
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    8,862
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.4, 2.6, 2.4
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    7.1, 8.4, 9.9
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Vilonia, Arkansas
#8
Vilonia
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    4,519
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    0.4, 1.0, 0.8
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    9.3, 10.4, 14.2
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Pottsville, Arkansas
#9
Pottsville
(
-7
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    3,232
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.2, 0.6, 1.5
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    8.4, 5.6, 5.0
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Pea Ridge, Arkansas
#10
Pea Ridge
(
+2
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    7,643
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.6, 2.0, 3.9
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    8.9, 10.2, 12.0
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Elkins, Arkansas
#11
Elkins
(
-4
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    3,828
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.6, 2.4, N/A
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    7.3, 5.0, N/A
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Gentry, Arkansas
#12
Gentry
(
-4
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    4,156
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    4.3, 4.6, 4.2
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    4.1, 2.5, 5.1
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Piggott, Arkansas
#13
Piggot
(
-12
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    3,532
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.4, 0.9, 0.6
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    12.2, 4.9, 9.4
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
White Hall, Arkansas
#14
White Hall
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    5,579
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.0, 2.7, 2.7
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    11.3, 11.0, 13.3
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Geographic location of Prairie Grove, AR
#15
Prairie Grove
(
-5
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    7,714
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.7, 2.6, 3.5
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    9.6, 8.0, 15.2
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
#16
Walnut Ridge
(
New
)
  • bullet
    Population
    5,495
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    3.1, N/A, 4.4
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    9.5, N/A, 11.7
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Lowell, Arkansas
#17
Lowell
(
+1
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    10,402
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.1, 2.8, 2.5
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    12.6, 12.7, 14.9
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Bentonville, Arkansas
#18
Bentonville
(
-2
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    58,871
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    3.0, 2.8, 3.2
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    12.0, 12.0, 14.9
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Maumelle, Arkansas
#19
Maumelle
(
-0-
)
  • bullet
    Population
    19,273
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    1.8, 1.4, 1.4
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    15.2, 15.6, 15.8
  • bullet
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Cherokee Village, Arkansas
#20
Cherokee Village
(
-7
bullet
)
  • bullet
    Population
    4,944
  • bullet
    VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    2.6, 0.4, 2.4
  • bullet
    PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
    13.8, 14.2, 18.9
  • bullet
    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

Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.

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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

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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

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.

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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.

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