Locations have both positive and negative points, which means some people will be attracted to them and others won't. A person's personal preferences, lifestyle, and stage of life will determine which features are most important to them in an area. Nevertheless, a place with multiple negative features is deemed undesirable as a place to live. Crime rates, low-quality schools, high unemployment rates, and a lack of entertainment and leisure options can make a location unattractive. Below are the 10 most dangerous places in Kansas based on RoadSnacks.
1. Wichita
The city of Wichita usually ranks one on these lists, partly because it is the largest city in our state and somewhat because the numbers are so concerning. Wichitans have a 1 in 87 chance of experiencing a violent crime, which isn't something we would like to see. We had a 1 in 18 chance of having our property stolen in 2018, and the odds are the same in 2021. Although Wichita isn't the same, we certainly don't like these numbers.
2. Independence
Independence was ranked #2 last year as well; not much has changed. It is 1 in 101 likely that you will become a victim of a violent crime in Kansas, and it is 1 in 21 likely you will become a victim of a property crime. Independence has a crime rate that is 129% higher than the national average.
3. Topeka
This year, Topeka climbed from #5 to #4, experiencing a decrease in violent crimes but an increase in property crimes. Violence is now 1 in 140, up from 1 in 165, while property crime has risen only one percentage point to 1 in 20.
4. Arkansas City
The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Arkansas City is 1 in 180, but the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 27. Despite being 71% higher than the national average, Arkansas City's crime rate remains high.
5. Coffeyville
Coffeeville dropped from #3 to #5, showing improvement! Here, the chance of you being a victim of property crime is 1 in 29. However, you have less than 1 in 155 chance of being a victim of violent crime.
6. Salina
One in every 27 residents will experience a property crime in Salina, which is hardly ideal. At 1 in 219, the odds of you being involved in a violent crime are still pretty low, much like most of Kansas.
7. Merriam
Merriam has a violent crime rate of 1 in 258, which isn't too bad. The likelihood of you becoming a victim of property crime, however, is 1 in 23.
8. Junction City
At #8 on our list is Junction City. The likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 98 in Junction and 1 in 39 for property crime.
9. Iola
Iola has improved each year, with this year's ranking dropping to #9 from #7 last year. Your odds of being a victim of property crime here is 1 in 31, but you have a much lower chance of being a victim of violent crime, which is 1 in 228.9. You may enjoy this if you've fallen in love with the community and home-cooked food in this small town.
10. Augusta
Augusta comes in at #10, where the odds of being a victim of property crime are 67% higher than the national average. This is reassuring and interesting that violent crime is 15.3% lower in Augusta than it is nationally.
Overall, don't assume this data implies you will experience the crime rates stated above. No matter how their crime rates may look, we believe you should still explore unique towns in Kansas. Keeping an eye out for safety, doing the right thing, and thinking about the future will go a long way. What do you think? Join us in our conversation in the comments below!
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