Hailey
In a major development, Kansas recorded its lowest crime rate in over two decades in 2024, according to newly published data from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).
Both violent and property crimes saw substantial decreases, marking a notable shift in the state’s public safety landscape.
Authorities are crediting this improvement to the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the public.
Statewide Violent and Property Crimes Continue to Decline
According to the KBI’s annual crime index report, violent crime levels dropped to their lowest point in five years, while property crimes followed a continued downward trajectory.
These encouraging trends reflect a broader, sustained decline in criminal activity across Kansas.
Tony Mattivi, Director of the KBI, emphasized the significance of partnerships in combating crime.
“The joint efforts of local and state law enforcement agencies, along with the public’s role in providing assistance, have contributed to the downward shift in crime,” said Mattivi.
How the Crime Rate Is Measured
The crime index rate refers to the number of reported crimes per 1,000 residents in a given year. In 2024, Kansas saw this figure drop to 23.3, a notable improvement from 27 per 1,000 people in 2023.
This marks the lowest rate recorded since the KBI began compiling crime index data in 2003.
Mattivi noted that understanding year-to-year changes in crime can be complex. “Many variables influence statewide crime trends, making it challenging to pinpoint exact causes,” he said.
Homicides Fall Below 10-Year Average
The state’s murder count also declined sharply, with 117 homicides reported in 2024, down more than 25% from the previous year. This total also fell below Kansas’ 10-year murder rate average.
Despite the decline, the causes behind many of the murders remain unclear. The KBI report noted that in 46.2% of homicide cases, the circumstances were listed as “unknown.”
Among the known causes, common factors included domestic disputes, arguments, and cases involving unknown suspects.
Drug-related killings accounted for just 2.6%, while gang-related and drive-by shootings represented less than 1% of all murders.
Burglaries Reach Historic Low
One of the standout findings in the report was the dramatic decrease in burglaries. Just 7,100 burglary cases were recorded in 2024 — the lowest total since 1966, when approximately 10,700 were reported.
County-by-County Crime Rates
The report also broke down crime index rates by county:
- Wyandotte County had the highest rate in the state, reporting nearly 47 crimes per 1,000 residents.
- Sedgwick County followed closely behind with a rate of about 44 per 1,000.
- On the other end of the spectrum, Jewell County reported a crime rate of just 0.7 per 1,000 residents, though it only submitted data for seven months of the year.
Law Enforcement Staffing on the Rise
The number of law enforcement personnel in Kansas is gradually approaching pre-pandemic levels, based on FBI statistics.
The officer-to-population ratio grew from 3.44 in 2023 to 3.69 per 1,000 people in 2024, nearing the 2019 benchmark of 3.84 officers per 1,000.
Attorney General Credits “Law and Order” Approach
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach attributed the decline in crime to his administration’s tough-on-crime stance.
“Kansans are safer today than they have been in two decades,” Kobach said in a press statement, identifying himself as the state’s chief law enforcement officer.
Public Perception of Crime Remains High
Despite the improving statistics, Americans continue to express concerns about crime.
Data from Gallup polls conducted in 2024 show that roughly half of U.S. adults worry a great deal about crime, and many believe the situation in their communities is worsening — even though crime rates nationwide have declined significantly since the 1990s.
Nearly half of respondents in 2024 believed crime had increased over the past year, revealing a persistent gap between perception and reality.
The 2024 Kansas crime report paints a promising picture of improved safety and effective law enforcement.
With crime rates reaching historic lows and law enforcement staffing increasing, the state appears to be moving in a positive direction.
However, challenges remain in public perception, highlighting the need for continued transparency and community engagement.