If you are interested in Mississippi crime levels, then simply ask any resident of the state and they will tell you they feel safe enough at night to sleep with both eyes shut.
The State of Mississippi holds a low violent crime rate at 1.90 incidences per 1,000 residents compared to a national number of 4.49 and a property crime rate of 32.6 compared to 35.4 across the U.S.
This state is proud of its higher education with excellent schools like the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University.
Since the population across the entire state is only three million, there is plenty of elbow room for visitors and future residents who want an affordable new home.
While many of the homes are older and stately residences, albeit incredibly charming, plenty of construction is occurring throughout the state.
Aside from being Elvis Presley’s home state, Mississippi is generally safe, but let’s jump into the safest towns before you book your trip!
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10 Safest Cities in Mississippi
Booneville
Also known as the “City of Hospitality,” Booneville is a destination where locals are excited to greet you with a “howdy,” have a chat, and share a glass of sweet tea out of a Mason Jar.
While sipping on your delicious tea, you can stroll the sidewalks of this historic town that is lined with buildings dating from the early 1900s.
The City of Hospitality boasts a violent crime rate of 2.76, a property crime rate of 38, and an A+ public school system, which has resulted in a reputation for being a livable, friendly, and safe place to live and visit.
With Northeast Mississippi Community College in the heart of the town, Booneville boasts a youthful appeal.
Byram
As a suburb of Jackson, Byram has a low unemployment rate with a higher than average high school graduation rate.
Affordable, peaceful, and safe allow residents to enjoy the fruits of Jackson while returning home to a great place to live.
Those looking to visit will find the historic Byram Swinging Bridge, which spans the Pearl River, and plenty of outdoor activities.
The violent crime rate is 1.5 and the property crime rate is 20.2.
Overall, Byram is 0.24 percent above the national crime rate, due to property crimes.
Starkville
With an overall crime rate 91% below the national average, Starkville is considered the marque American college town due to Mississippi State University, which is responsible for the extensive entertainment and arts scene.
If you enjoy style and experience in a safe environment, then Starkville is the best place for you to live or visit.
The violent crime rate is 1.6 and the property crime rate is 17.0, so you will feel safe at any time of the day.
Oxford
Another vibrant college town is Oxford, which is home to the University of Mississippi.
Visitors to Oxford will enjoy a charming town, affordability, culture, sports, and arts.
Known as the “Cultural Mecca of the South,” this diverse town is rich in history and offers exceptional culinary experiences.
The town’s vibrant literary group helped develop several authors the most famous being William Faulkner.
On gameday, Ole Miss football fans tailgate at The Grove before game day.
Depending on why you visit Oxford, you will have peace of mind due to the low violent crime rate of 0.7 and property crime rate of 23.3.
Horn Lake
With a population of around 27,000, Horn Lake boasts a crime rate that is 3 percent below the average crime statistic.
In Horn Lake, you get the best of both worlds, since it is a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee.
With just a 24-minute commute, you can enjoy the fruits of Memphis and return to a quiet, beautiful, and relaxing community with a 1.0 violent crime rate and a 19.0 property crime rate.
One of the most interesting aspects of Horn Lake is the Keep Horn Lake Beautiful ordinance that requires every lot to have 20 percent dedicated to green space.
Pass Christian
This tiny town of just 5,600 is a Gulf Coast city (called “The Pass”) with a cost of living 7 percent below the national average.
Best of all, every year the crime rate continues to plummet with the recent drop being 15 percent.
The violent crimes per capita rate is 1.0 and the property crime rate is 1.6, both of which make this a safe and wonderful place to live or visit.
Brandon
In recent years, crime rates in Brandon have taken a nosedive by almost nine percent, making it the fourth safest destination in the state.
100 percent of locals report feeling a sense of safety and security at night.
If you are interested in visiting or living in a family-friendly town with 1.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, a 6.3 property crime rate, and a crime rate 65 percent below the national average, then this is the town for you.
Also, a whopping 77 percent of residents are married, and the homes are incredibly affordable!
Clinton
Clinton prides itself on the fact that the town is 10 percent less expensive compared to the U.S. average.
Couple that with a violent crime rate of 0.6 and a property crime rate of 1.9, you can rest assured that this charming town is a great decision to reside in or visit.
The overall crime rate in Clinton is 15 percent lower than the national average!
Residents love the small-town feel and boast about being able to walk to various amenities.
As a visitor, you can enjoy that same laid-back atmosphere while getting in your steps!
Madison
Just a 10-minute drive from Jackson, Madison provides residents with endless southern charm without the city traffic headaches.
If you are interested in purchasing a home in Madison, the median price is only $243,000, so it is extremely affordable.
Also, the student-teacher ratio is incredibly low at 14 to 1, so you know your children are getting an excellent education.
With plenty of hiking and outdoor activities in the area, plus an easy drive to all the attractions Jackson has to offer, Madison is a safe place to visit with a violent crime rate of 0.7 and a property crime rate of 0.9.
Petal
With a name that conjures up ideas about a flower Petal, it is no surprise this location is 78 percent below the national crime rate, and it is numero uno on our list!
In recent years, the crime rate of this Hattiesburg suburban community has plummeted by 30 percent and now Petal has a violent crime rate of 0 and a property crime rate of 2.62!
With the Leaf River carving its way through town, there are plenty of year-round outdoor activities.
Only eight minutes from the University of Southern Mississippi, locals are 100 percent satisfied with the family friendliness, serenity, and safety of this adorable small town.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Mississippi
Tip #1 – Review the State Website
Before traveling to Mississippi, it is highly advisable to navigate to visitmississippi.com to review and understand all current travel advisories issued by the government.
This provides you with an idea of any immediate dangers around the state, including weather and crime warnings.
Tip #2 – Be Prepared for Inclement Weather
Mississippi is often in the path of some of the worst hurricanes that hit the United States.
Although most hurricanes tend to drift to the west and into Louisiana, if you are traveling to the state between June 1st and November 30th, be prepared for inclement weather or severe storms to hit, especially near the coast.
Preparation includes knowing what to do if a storm hits and packing the proper clothing.
Tip #3 – Use a Safe
While this is good advice for traveling anywhere, you want to be cognizant of your belongings when visiting Mississippi, even in the hotel room.
If you must bring large sums of cash or valuables, always use the room safe.
While most people are honest, you never know when items will go missing from your room.
Tip #4 – Pack Bug Spray
During the warmer months, the swaths of bugs including mosquitos, can be brutal and carry disease.
Therefore, you want to protect yourself by packing and applying plenty of bug spray to keep them away from your skin.
Tip #5 – Let Park Rangers Know You Are Hiking or Camping
In addition to always staying in designated camping areas and not wandering off the beaten path, always register your entire party with the local ranger station.
This includes communicating the number of people and your hiking or camping route.
There are many wild animals in Mississippi since it is such a center of low population, so be careful in the wild.
Mississippi Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Mississippi Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What attractions are worth seeing in Mississippi?
Many attractions exist in Mississippi, with the best rated being the U.S.S. Cairo Museum, the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Tupelo Automobile Museum, Beauvoir, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, and the B.B. King Museum.
What is the most beautiful part of Mississippi?
The entire state offers a variety of beautiful and natural locations.
Some of the top stunning places to visit in the state include Windsor Ruins, Clear Springs Lake, Clark Creek Nature Area, Monmouth Gardens, Tishomingo State Park, and the Natchez Trace Parkway.
What is the most famous food in Mississippi?
The Magnolia State is best known for cornbread, catfish, collard greens, biscuits and gravy, fried okra, and fried chicken.
I’ve visited a few of these cities and can attest to their safety. Great communities with friendly people.