A Comprehensive Look at Kansas City’s Most Dangerous Cities in 2023

While Kansas is not one of the top ten most dangerous states in the US, it does have its share of deadly regions. The Sunflower State features various high-crime locations. If you’re thinking about moving to Kansas, we urge you check out our list of the Kansas City’s Most Dangerous Cities.

If you are considering relocating to Kansas, we recommend that you review our list of the most dangerous places in Kansas. (Photo: Southwest Journal)

Kansas City’s Most Dangerous Cities

We depended on statistics. We looked at 44 cities in all, utilizing the FBI’s most recent crime report for violent and property crime figures for every city with more than 5,000 people. Unfortunately, some of the Kansas cities on our list had suffered considerable rises in crime during the prior year.

Unfortunately, the breakdown of crime starts in Kansas’ most hazardous cities, based on Southwest Journal.

1. Independence- Independence is one of Kansas’s most hazardous and unappealing cities or Kansas City’s Most Dangerous Cities . These stats are surprisingly high for such a tiny community, with 92 violent offenses and 347 property offences. Independence residents have a one in 24 risk of being a victim of a burglary, auto theft, larceny, or arson, and a one in 91 chance of being a victim of rape, murder, or serious assault.

Independence, Kansas, is known for the Neewollah Festival, and its population of 8,405 surges to 80,000 during Halloween. It is located in Montgomery County in the Southeast portion of Kansas. This small town, which was home to Laura Ingalls Wilder of Little House on the Prairie fame, is a little more rambunctious than it should be.

2. Parsons- Parsons, named after a railroad executive from the 1800s and steeped in railroad history, is second most crime-infested town or second Kansas City’s Most Dangerous Cities . It was also the birthplace of one of the classic motorbike brands, Harley-Davidson.

With such a high crime rate, inhabitants and victims may need to flee town as soon as possible, whether by train or motorcycle.

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Riskiest Places To Live

3. Lola- Despite being one of the best places in Kansas to buy a house, Iola is also one of the state’s poorest communities and least desirable places to live.

The crime rate is remarkably high for a town of 5,220, with people having a one in 24 risk of having their property stolen and a one in 158 chance of becoming a victim of a severe crime such as rape, murder, or aggravated assault.

One of the most heinous crimes committed in Iola was the murder of Viola Ard in 1914. Viola, a young bride, was shot and died while driving with her husband and sister in a car. Her husband, Roy Ard, was later accused with murder, but a jury acquitted him. The case is still considered to be one of the most frightening and intriguing in Iola’s history.

4. Fort Scott- Fort Scott, located in east-central Kansas, has a substantial crime problem, including the state’s sixth-highest rate of violent crime.

One of the most heinous crimes committed in Fort Scott was the murder of Hazel Avery in 1973. Avery, 60, was discovered dead in her house with multiple stab wounds. The crime shook the little town and went unsolved for more than 30 years.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Scott Police Department revisited the case in 2016 and used modern DNA testing to identify and apprehend the killer, Donald Joe Willis, who was Avery’s neighbor at the time of the murder.

5. Merriam- Merriam residents have reason to rejoice this year because their town has slipped in the rankings due to a reduction in violent crime. They must be watchful, though, because they have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of theft, reports Southwest Journal.

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