Located in the Midwestern region of the United States, Kansas is home to 2.9 million residents. The state is the 15th largest state by land mass, with its capital being Topeka and its largest city being Wichita. Kansas has a long history in agriculture which continues today, as it produces high yields of soybeans, corn, and wheat. Aside from agriculture, major employers in the state are in the aviation, telecommunications, and automobile industries. If you’d like to call The Sunflower State home, here are the 15 safest cities in Kansas to help you make an informed choice.
Related: Check out our Kansas Public Records guide.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 349 for violent crime and 2,735 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
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#1 Leawood
Located in Johnson County, the city of Leawood is home to 31,800 residents. Considered a suburb of Kansas City, the community was established in 1948, has an extensive parks and recreation system, and is served by two different school districts. Leawood is the safest place to live in Kansas, with a violent crime rate of 55.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just 1.4%.
#2 Prairie Village
Another city in Johnson County, Prairie Village is home to 21,400 residents. Also a Kansas City suburb, the community has 12 city parks, an art gallery, and several popular shopping venues. Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate here is 59.3, and residents of Prairie Village have a 1.1% chance of being affected by property crime.
#3 Derby
Located in Sedgwick County, the city of Derby is home to 22,100 residents. Considered the largest suburb of Wichita, the community encompasses 9.6 square miles and is known for its Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park, Derby Skate Park, and local historical museum. The violent crime rate in Derby is 107.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 2.3%.
#4 Andover
A city in Butler County, Andover is home 11,700 residents. Another Wichita suburb, the community has two public parks, two golf courses, and is known for its popular outdoor summer concert series. The violent crime rate here is 109.8, and residents of Andover have a 2.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#5 Lenexa
Located in Johnson County, the city of Lenexa is home to 48,100 residents. Considered a suburb of Kansas City, the community encompasses 34.4 square miles, is the site of a large government records storage facility, and has other major employers that include UPS and Quest Diagnostics. The violent crime rate in Lenexa is 117.8, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.9%.
#6 Shawnee
Another city in Johnson County, Shawnee is home to 62,200 residents. Also a part of the Kansas City Metro Area, the community includes a 120-acre lake, is served by two school districts, and was included on Money magazine’s list of “Best Places to Live.” The violent crime rate here is 133.8, and residents of Shawnee have a 1.6% chance of being affected by property crime.
#7 Olathe
Also located in Johnson County, the city of Olathe is home to 125,800 residents. The community serves as the county seat, is the fourth largest city in the state, and is the site of several large companies including Honeywell, ALDI, Garmin, and Farmers Insurance Group. The violent crime rate in Olathe is 148.6, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.9%.
#8 Overland Park
Another city in Johnson County, Overland Park has a current population of 173,300 residents. Another Kansas City suburb, the community is the second most populous in the state and is home to several college branches as well as the world headquarters of Sprint, YRC Worldwide, and Compass Minerals. The violent crime rate here is 160.9, and residents of Overland Park have a 2.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#9 Gardner
Also in Johnson County, the city of Gardner is home to 19,100 residents. The community was founded in 1857 at the divide of the Santa Fe and Oregon/California Trails, encompasses 10.1 square miles, and is the site of a distribution center for The Coleman Company. The violent crime rate in Gardner is 179.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.7%.
#10 Lansing
Located in Leavenworth County, the city of Lansing is home to 11,200 residents. The community lies on the banks of the Missouri River, is the site of the Lansing Correctional Facility, and has been included on Money’s list of “Best Places to Live.” The violent crime rate here is 183.5, and residents of Lansing have a .05% chance of being affected by property crime.
#11 Emporia
A city in Lyon County, Emporia has a current population of 24,900 residents. Also the county seat, the community lies between the cities of Topeka and Wichita and is home to two colleges, Flint Hills Technical College and Emporia State University. The violent crime rate in Emporia is 227.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 3.3%.
#12 McPherson
Located in McPherson County, the city of McPherson is home to 13,100 residents. Also the county seat, the community was named after a Union Civil War general, is the site of two private colleges, and is known for its annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games. The violent crime rate here is 241.5, and residents of McPherson have a 4.4% chance of being affected by property crime.
#13 Ottawa
A city in Franklin County, Ottawa is home to 12,600 residents. Also the county seat, the community lies along the banks of the Marais des Cygnes River, is the site of Ottawa University, and has two major distribution centers for American Eagle Outfitters and Walmart. The violent crime rate in Ottawa is 291.7, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.3%.
#14 Liberal
Located in Seward County, the city of Liberal is home to 20,500 residents. Also the county seat, the community encompasses 11.7 square miles, and its economy is driven by both agriculture and energy, with the beef industry being its largest source of employment. The violent crime rate here is 319.5, and residents of Liberal have a 2.7% chance of being affected by property crime.
#15 Salina
A city in Saline County, Salina is home to 47,700 residents. Also the county seat, the community lies in one of the world’s largest wheat-producing regions and other major employers here include Tony’s Pizza, Exide Battery, and the regional healthcare center. The violent crime rate in Salina is 334.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 4.8%.
