What Are The 8 Safest Neighborhoods In Kansas City, Missouri?

Mary Newman
by Mary Newman

While it may be most well-known for having the same name of a city in the state right next to it, Kansas City, Missouri has plenty of things to do and see that makes it stand out against its namesake neighbor.

Kansas City is located in the western part of the state of Missouri, at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. With a population of almost 500,000, Kansas City is the largest city in the state and is rich with history, culture, and delicious barbecue.

Kansas City’s crime rate is higher than other cities its size, with a rate of 53 per 1,000 residents. Each year, there are more than 7,000 violent crimes and 19,000 property crimes in the city. Due to this, Kansas City is ranked as a 4 on the crime index, with the safest being 100.

The safest neighborhoods in Kansas City, MO are Armour Hills, Highview Estates, and White Oak. Each of these cities places a high emphasis on safety and boast very low unemployment rates. They all offer crime rates below 1.5% which is significantly below both the national average and the average for the state of Missouri.

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How Did We Pick The Safest Kansas City Neighborhoods?

You can poll people to find out which areas are the safest, or you can simply look at the unbiased raw statistics. Rather than relying on guesswork and opinion, we examined hard data from the FBI’s most current crime report (released in September 2019) for each neighborhood in Kansas City.

We looked at the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report in particular. Based on the demographics of the area and reported crime, we did an analysis to calculate each neighborhood’s property and violent offenses. We based our decision on two main criteria:

  • Crimes Committed Per Capita
  • Victims of Violent Crimes Per Capita
  • Crimes Against Property Per Capita

Then, in each category, we scored each neighborhood from 1 to 131, with 1 being the safest.
Then, to produce a safe neighborhood index, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood.

Finally, we named the “Safest City Neighborhood In Kansas City” to the neighborhood with the lowest safest neighborhood index. Blue Hills Estates, we’re looking at you.

The 8 Safest Neighborhoods In Kansas City, Missouri

While crime may be high in Kansas City, we have done the research for you in finding the safest places to live.

Being safe is a top priority, so we compiled a list of the 8 safest neighborhoods using crime statistics produced by the FBI. These neighborhoods have the lowest crime rate per 100k people, making them the safest places to live in Kansas City.

1. Armour Hills

  • Population: 2,422
  • Median Income: $103,120
  • Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,225
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.0%

First up is Armour Hills, loaded with history and interesting background information, not to mention that it is the safest neighborhood on our list. There is plenty to do in Armour Hills, but it’s unique history is really what makes it stand out against other Kansas City neighborhoods.

Armour Hills’ name is derived from its original owners – the Armours, a famous Chicago meatpacking family. Purchased by J.C Nichols of the Armours in 1922, he constructed the area to have a distinctive home-style – typically for single families. These homes emanate styles such as Tudor Revival, Cape Cod, and Dutch Colonials built with brick, stone, and wood.

Along with the house styles and history of this neighborhood, there are plenty of amenities within as well, including parks and dining options. The median home value of Armour Hills ranges from $290,000 to $370,000 and has a median age of 45 years old.

2. Highview Estates

  • Population: 2,603
  • Median Income: $73,725
  • Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,346
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.7%

Highview Estates is right between two highways in Kansas City: East State Route 350 and Interstate 470. The median home value of Highview Estates is over $200,000, but has a wide range of home prices from less than $100,000 to as much as almost $4,000,000.

The Vale Tunnel, the longest tunnel in Missouri (446 feet), is found nestled in Highview Estates. Once home to Missouri’s Central Railroad, Vale Tunnel has since been bought by Jackson County and is being transformed into a hiking trail now known as Rock Island Trail . At its completion, there will be three trailheads and will eventually cover more than 200 miles across the state. If you are interested in hiking or biking, Highview Estates is for you.

In Highview Estates, crime is relatively low, with a 1 in 60 chance of being a victim. Crime continues to go down in this neighborhood, with a decrease of 10% year-over-year.

3. White Oak

  • Population: 2,673
  • Median Income: $60,611
  • Crime Rate Per 100k: 1,485
  • Unemployment Rate: 1.7%

Less than 30 minutes away from Downtown Kansas City is the White Oak neighborhood. With a population of 2,673, its residents rank its quietness and neighbor friendliness as some of the neighborhood’s best qualities. The median home value of White Oak is over $110,000 with the median rent being $1,103.

In typical Kansas City fashion, the history of White Oak is fascinating – a Black community that developed in the 1800s by two brothers, who were bestowed the land by their former slave owner. According to local legend, White Oak was one of the stops of the Underground Railroad.

In White Oak, you will find White Oak park – which has great places to picnic and a baseball field. Most residents reported that White Oak is home to citizens between the ages 35 to 50 years old, and is extremely dog friendly.

4. Country Lane Estates

  • Population: 1,971
  • Median Income: $53,150
  • Crime Rate Per 100k: 2,068
  • Unemployment Rate: 0.5%

Just South of Interstate 470 and U.S Route 50 lies the neighborhood of Country Lane Estates. The crime rate here is 51% lower than the Kansas City average and the price for homes in this area can vary between $82,000 and $400,000.

Those who live in Country Lane Estates report that some of the qualities they enjoy about the area are that it’s quiet, safe, and has a neighborly environment. If you make the short commute across the highways, you will be in the vicinity of an abundance of places to eat and drink.

The main demographic of people who live in Country Lane Estates are in their early 50s and with easy access to highways and an incredibly low unemployment rate, this neighborhood is definitely worth looking into if you are considering moving to the Kansas City area.

5. Ward Parkway Homes Association

  • Population: 3,722
  • Median Income: $81,157
  • Crime Rate Per 100k: 2,494
  • Unemployment Rate: 1.0%

While those who live in this area may give you a few different answers as to where they live (Waldo, Brookside, Brookdo), the neighborhood is known as the Ward Parkway Homes Association. Just off the Ward Parkway in Kansas City, this neighborhood offers cozy and comfortable areas to live while being right next to the many attractions of the main drag.

There is a strong sense of community within the Ward Parkway Homes Association, with a website that lists all the neighborhood events including block parties and a holiday homes decorating contest.

Rent in this area is between $1,000 and $2,000 and to buy it is between $85,000 and $417,000. This coupled with a median income of over $81,000 and an unemployment rate of only 1.0%, the Ward Parkway Association is an enticing neighborhood to live in.

6. Westwood

  • Population: 907
  • Median Income: $91,319
  • Crime Rate Per 100k: 2,507
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

With a population of less than 1,000, Westwood gives off a homey, pleasant atmosphere. The median income is $91,319 and the neighborhood is within walking distance of Country Club Plaza, an area with a lot of dining and entertainment options, making Westwood even more attractive to those looking to settle in the Kansas City area.

In the Northern part of Westwood lies Westwood Park, which is a great place to get some fresh air, go for a hike, or take your family for a picnic. The park comes complete with numerous pavilions that you can reserve for gatherings as well as a playground for children.

The average age of those who live in Westwood is 35 years-old and the crime rate is 60% lower than the Kansas City average.

7. River Market

  • Population: 3,419
  • Median Income: $51,654
  • Crime Rate Per 100k: 2,507
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.4%

River Market, although it has a big city atmosphere, is still influenced by the Mid-West. Restaurants and grocery stores are all within walking distance, it’s dog friendly, and chalk-full of things to do, what else could you ask for? Due to all these factors, it attracts a younger crowd, with the average age of its residents being in their 20s and 30s.

River Market hosts the region’s largest Farmer’s Market – City Market, which is known for bringing fresh foods to your table from the farm, despite being located in a more urban neighborhood. Along with their well-known local spots, there is no shortage of culturally diverse flavors including Vietnamese, Indian, French, and more.

The cost of living here is reasonable, ranked just 1% above the national average. Trendy lofts, condos, and homes are all available from high end to more modest pricing.

8. Central Business Center – Downtown

  • Population: 4,364
  • Median Income: $52,423
  • Crime Rate Per 100k: 3,735
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.8%

While living amongst the hustle and bustle of Downtown may garner some concerns about crime and safety, Kansas City has done an excellent job of making Central Business Center – Downtown a safe area for people to live and work.

There is of course a plethora of bars, restaurants, nightlife, and cafes in the area. But if you ever want to escape the city life, Penn Valley Park offers a great respite with some beautiful greenery. Crown Center is a shopping mall right in the heart complete with free exhibits, outdoor events, and even live theater. If you have children, Central Business Center – Downtown is a great place to be, as there is a lot for them to do, such as visiting LEGOLAND.

The average rent here can vary from $780 to over $2,000, and it’s definitely worth it as there is an abundance of attractions in the area.

What’s The Verdict?

Of course, crime rates should be on your radar while scouting out new places to live in, but Kansas City has many safe neighborhoods to consider.

Always be aware of your surroundings and become familiar with the city in order to avoid environments with higher crime rates. By using your resources, you can find the safest areas and enjoy yourself in Kansas City!

Mary Newman
Mary Newman

Mary Newman thought that home improvement was all painting and putting down throw rugs... until she bought a fixer upper, and realized it's so much more. With a passion for helping others NOT make the mistakes she did, Mary seeks to always improve her home - and yours, too!

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