What Are The 8 Safest Neighborhoods In Little Rock, AR?

Paige Hanawalt
by Paige Hanawalt

The city of Little Rock, Arkansas is the state’s capital and largest municipality. There is no end of things to do in Little Rock. You can visit the Little Rock River Market to check out restaurants, museums, and shops galore. Indoors and out, you can get a fill of Arkansas history and culture in the capital city of Little Rock.

Safety in large cities is always at the forefront for those that live there and those considering to relocate. Little Rock has its own challenges, but you will find some really amazing communities within its borders that offer safety as a priority.

The top 3 safest neighborhoods in Little Rock, Arkansas are Heights, Rock Creek, and River Mountain. These neighborhoods boast high median household incomes, low unemployment rates, and low average monthly rental costs. Crime in Little Rock has decreased by 4% in recent years. These 3 neighborhoods have the lowest crime rates in the area, making them very safe places to both live in and visit.

Check out the top 8 safest neighborhoods in Little Rock, and how their costs of living, average incomes, and unemployment rates compare.

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8 Safest Neighborhoods in Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Its crime rate more than doubles the Arkansas and national averages. Its incidents of violent crime are specifically relatively high.

However, there are a number of safe neighborhoods in the area. The 8 neighborhoods listed below are the safest neighborhoods in the city of Little Rock, particularly in reference to violent crime.

1. Heights

  • Population: 5,610
  • Median Income: $78,491
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 3,259 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 1.8%

The #1 safest neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas is Heights. A little less than 3 miles away northwest of the city, Heights is just south of the Arkansas River and is surrounded by beautiful public parks.

The Heights neighborhood has an estimated crime rate of 3,259 incidents per 100,000 people, which translates to a 3.2% chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

The median household income in Heights is $78,491, much higher than the city, Arkansas, and national averages. Unemployment is also impressively low.

Cost of living in the neighborhood of Heights is high. The median home value is $380,143, a staggering 231% higher than the state average. Rental costs, however, are inexpensive at an average $872 per month.

2. Rock Creek

  • Population: 14,605
  • Median Income: $86,290
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 4,068 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.5%

8.2 miles from Little Rock is Rock Creek. This neighborhood is north of its namesake creek and is near a number of apartment complexes, including Turtle Creek Apartment Homes and Westridge Place Apartments.

The crime rate in Rock Creek is lower than that of Little Rock City. Violent crime is nearly 4x more likely in Little Rock than in Rock Creek.

Though unemployment is a rad higher in Rock Creek than in Little Rock and the rest of the state, the median household income is significantly higher as well.

This has led to high real estate costs. Home values are 79% higher than the Arkansas average at $205,200. Rentals tend to run at $634 per month, which is lower than the U.S average.

3. River Mountain

  • Population: 13,353
  • Median Income: $102,615
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 3,586 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.8%

River Mountain is the third safest neighborhood in Little Rock. It is located 7.8 miles northwest of the city, near Murray Lake and Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Still, it is in convenient proximity to many amenities.

Those in River Mountain have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Their chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is even lower at an estimated .5%.

River Mountain residents enjoy a very high median household income, over twice as high as the MHIs of the surrounding city and state.

The cost of living is high for home buyers, but inexpensive for renters. The median home value in this neighborhood is $259,889 and the median rental costs are $343 per month.

4. Midtown

  • Population: 8,858
  • Median Income: $53,937
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 5,236 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

Just over 4 miles west of Little Rock is the neighborhood of Midtown, near the UAMS Medical Center and several public schools.

Midtown is safer than 82% of cities in Arkansas, and is 31% safer than Little Rock. Property crime is far more likely than violent crime in Midtown. Additionally, the surrounding areas have relatively low concentrations of crime.

The median household income in Midtown is $53,937. This is lower than the national average, but higher than those of Little Rock and Arkansas overall. Unemployment is also low in this neighborhood.

Similar to the previous entries on this list, home values are higher than Arkansas norms but rental prices are relatively low. The averages for these are $178,986 and $725, respectively.

5. Hillcrest

  • Population: 6,212
  • Median Income: $61,116
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 7,047 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Hillcrest is less than 2 miles away from the Little Rock city center. It is near David D Terry Lake and the Arkansas River, as well as the Arkansas River trail. There are a few public parks in this neighborhood as well.

The Hillcrest crime rate is lower than that of Little Rock City. Though there are more instances of property crime in Hillcrest, violent crime is significantly lower. Those in Hillcrest have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming the victim of any crime.

Housing in Hillcrest comes at a higher than average cost with a median home value of $230,450. Rental costs are a bit lower at $890 per month, which is lower than the U.S average.

Median household income in Hillcrest is high, and unemployment is low.

6. Capital View-Stiff

  • Population: 3,043
  • Median Income: $40,185
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 9,353 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: .6%

The Capital View-Stiff neighborhood is less than a mile away from Little Rock. Residents of Capital View can enjoy all of the conveniences of the city without being located directly downtown.

In terms of crime, this neighborhood actually has higher instances of crime per 100,000 people than Little Rock. However, violent crime is significantly lower with 857 instances per 100,000 people versus 1,517 in Little Rock.

Capital View is the first entry on our list of safest neighborhoods with a lower than average median household income. However, unemployment is extremely low.

It is also more affordable. Median home value is $150,520, higher than the Arkansas average, but lower than that of the U.S overall. The average cost to rent is $828 per month.

7. Otter Creek Crystal

  • Population: 6,834
  • Median Income: $50,648
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 6,289 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.5%

The seventh safest neighborhood in Little Rock is Otter Creek Crystal. It is located 9.5 miles to the southwest of Little Rock. Despite its distance, it is a hub of restaurants, shopping centers, and other community hotspots.

The crime rate in Otter Creek Crystal is lower than that of the city. Both violent crime and property crime are less likely in this neighborhood, and residents have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

The median household income in Otter Creek Crystal is just above average. Additionally, unemployment is also low.

These aspects, in combination with cost of living, makes Otter Creek Crystal an affordable neighborhood. The average home cost is $118,180, and rental costs are very low at $710 per month.

8. South Geyer Springs

  • Population: 2,070
  • Median Income: $36,572
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 7,119
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.0%

Finally, the #8 safest neighborhood in Little Rock is South Geyer Springs. South of the city, the South Geyer Springs neighborhood is located along Geyer Springs Rd. It is a little over 8 miles away from the Little Rock city center.

South Geyer Springs has a lower rate of both property and violent crimes than the city of Little Rock. In this neighborhood, you have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

South Geyer Springs has the lowest income rate among the safest neighborhoods in Little Rock. Its median household income of $36,572 is below city, state, and national averages.

This neighborhood is the least expensive. The median home value in South Geyer Springs is $111,200 and median rental costs are $312 per month.

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Wrapping It Up

Though Little Rock is a relatively dangerous city by U.S standards, crime has been decreasing in the city in recent years. It is 4% safer than in previous years. Additionally, there are a number of neighborhoods in the area that are safe even by statewide standards. Considering rates of violent crime compared to the city average, any of the 8 neighborhoods listed above are safe choices for those looking to move to Little Rock.

Paige Hanawalt
Paige Hanawalt

Paige is an elementary school librarian with a passion for writing. Her hobbies include reading an exorbitant amount of fantasy, slowly teaching herself to draw, and home decor. While she isn't the most talented artist or interior designer, what she lacks in skill she more than makes up for in enthusiasm. When she's not curled up with a book, you can certainly find her curled over the keyboard.

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