10 Safest Cities in Arkansas in 2024 (with Pictures)

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Arkansas has a pretty high crime rate compared to the rest of the nation, and it’s on the rise. The state’s violent crime rate has increased by more than 15% over the last year or so. The homicide rate is also increasing, signaling a more dangerous state overall.

Therefore, crime rates in nearly every city in Arkansas are quite a bit higher than in other states. This isn’t a state where violent crime is concentrated in just a few areas—it’s everywhere. In fact, some of the most violent areas are small towns—so the usual “avoid the cities” advice doesn’t do you much good here.

With that said, there are a few towns that are safer than others. If you must live in Arkansas, here are some towns that you may want to consider.

The 10 Safest Cities in Arkansas: A Quick Look

1. Cave Springs, AR

Compared to other areas in Arkansas, Cave Springs is extremely safe—and it has been that way for years. This smaller town has a high median income, which characterizes it as a higher-income community. The houses and cost of living tend to be a bit higher, as well. With that said, the poverty rate is extremely low, which probably explains why crime is so low too. (Census)

This area is extremely rural, and the vast majority of people own their own homes. Usually, these are generational homes that have been passed down. The public schools are extremely highly rated, as you’d probably expect.

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2. Greenbriar, AR

Greenbriar is extremely safe. The violent crime rate and property crime rate are both considerably lower than the national average and state average. With that said, the median income is much lower than Cave Springs, opening up this community to more people.

The job rating for this community is pretty high. There seem to be plenty of places to work and regular employment for most residents. The public schools are also rated pretty high. (Niche)

Because this town is quite small, there isn’t really much to do here, as is usually the case with smaller towns.

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3. Austin, AR

The violent crime rate in this town is considerably lower than most. However, it does have a surprisingly high property crime rate, which is why it ended up lower on this list. It isn’t that it’s full of violent crimes like assault, but your odds of getting involved in theft are decently higher than most other “safe” towns.

The poverty rate is still lower than the national average, so the reason for the higher property crime rates is a mystery. (Data USA)

This community is considered a suburb of Little Rock, where most people commute for work. The public school system is highly rated, and there is plenty to do for those willing to drive a bit.

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4. Greenwood, AR

Greenwood is an extremely small town in Georgia that is safer than most. Violent and property crimes are much lower than the state and national average, so Greenwood is safer than most other towns out there.

For the most part, it seems to be a decent place to raise a family. The public schools are highly rated, there are plenty of jobs, and cost-of-living is decently low. The only problem residents complain of is the lack of things to do around town. As a smaller community far away from any larger cities, this isn’t all that surprising.

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5. Bella Vista, AR

Bella Vista has been one of the safer communities for some years. It is barely in Arkansas and is a commonplace for retirees, which is likely why it is much safer than other towns in this state. In fact, it was voted as the best place to retire in Arkansas. (Niche)

It has great schools and affordable housing. Though, there is not a lot to do here, despite the higher population.

This area is best for those that would like a slower life.

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6. Vilonia, AR

Vilonia has a similar violent crime rate to the other towns on this list. However, it has a much higher property crime rate, which is why we ranked it a bit lower. This town is extremely small, which likely has something to do with its lower crime rate. It is quite rural, so it is best for those that want a slower lifestyle.

With that said, it has decent schools and great housing affordability. There isn’t much to do here, though, which is a common complaint from residents. There just isn’t enough population to support much.

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7. Gentry, AR

Gentry was once one of the safest towns in Arkansas. While it is still safer than most, the violent crime rate has risen over the last few years. Therefore, it is quickly becoming less safe than it was previously. (Crime Grade)

This town is extremely small, and there really isn’t much in it. There is not much to do here, and everyone seems to know everyone else. There are a few smaller shops. However, the area itself is largely agricultural.

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8. Pottsville, AR

As far as crime goes, Pottsville is very similar to Gentry. In fact, the crime rates are almost exactly the same. The violent crime rate is just a bit higher, which is why we ranked Pottsville lower.

This community is fairly small and is considered a “small town.” It has a very small population and is largely agricultural. There is not much to do in this small town, as the population just isn’t big enough to support much.

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9. White Hall, AR

16,542

While this town is a bit smaller than most, it is best referred to as “suburban.” There are some rural areas, but there are a lot of neighborhoods as well.

The violent crime rate in this community is pretty low, which is why it is on this list. However, the property crime rate is surprisingly high. Burglaries and theft are surprisingly common.

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10. Centerton, AR

Centerton is far safer than other towns in Arkansas. However, it does have one of the highest violent crime rates of any town on this list, so it is more dangerous than the towns we’ve discussed thus far. This little town has a decently high population, which may be why the crime rate is higher than in other areas.

The schools in this town are ranked decently high, and it is often described as being a good town for families. The only significant downside is that it has a higher crime rate.

How to Stay Safe in Arkansas

Staying safe in Arkansas is a lot like staying safe anywhere else. You should preferably avoid dangerous areas, especially when you are alone or it is dark outside. While we went over some of the safer areas in this article, that doesn’t mean that these areas are completely safe. Therefore, you should research the area you’re in and take care not to walk around in crime-heavy areas.

With that said, an increase in population doesn’t seem to lead to increased crime in Arkansas. There are some dangerous places that have a very small population, as well as some safe places with a very small population.

Therefore, you’ll need to research each area individually to ensure that you’re staying in a safer area.

See also: what is the state insect of Arkansas? How was it decided?

Conclusion

While Arkansas is one of the more dangerous states in the country, there are some safer places within it. These areas usually have a lower population and are rural, which helps keep the crime rate low. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that these safe cities are as safe as areas in other states. Compared to towns in other states, some of the towns in this article may seem quite dangerous. It is all about context.

Arkansas’s overall crime rate has risen over the last few years, so we expect that it’ll continue to rise. Over time, this may lead to these cities becoming more dangerous.

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Featured Image Credit: Sean Pavone, Shutterstock