Crime in West Memphis, Arkansas

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2019. In West Memphis, however, property crimes account for only about 72% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a smaller than average share of total offenses, property crime is much more prevalent in West Memphis than it is nationwide. There were 1,225 property crimes in West Memphis in 2019, or 5,012 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,110 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in West Memphis. There were 756 larcenies reported in West Memphis in 2019, or 3,093 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,550 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 336 break-ins reported in West Memphis in 2019, or 1,375 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 341 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2019.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 220 for every 100,000 people. In West Memphis, meanwhile, there were 133 motor vehicle thefts in 2019, or 544 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the nearly 8.2 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2019. In West Memphis, however, violent offenses account for a larger 28% share of all reported crime.

At 1,984 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in West Memphis is well above the national violent crime rate of 379 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in West Memphis reported a total of 485 violent crimes in 2019.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in West Memphis. There were 387 aggravated assaults reported in West Memphis in 2019, or 1,583 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is far lower, standing at 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 57 robberies reported in West Memphis in 2019, a rate of 233 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 82 per 100,000 in 2019.

Rape

There were 33 rapes reported in West Memphis in 2019, or 135 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,815 rapes in 2019, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There were 8 homicides committed in the city in 2019. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in West Memphis is 32.7 murders for every 100,000 people, many times higher than the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.