St. Charles County, Missouri, located in the eastern part of the state, has a population exceeding 400,000 people. This region is renowned for its historical and recreational sites, including attractions like the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center, the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, and the Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center.
Nonetheless, it is not exempt from crime and violence. Within St. Charles County, there are both safer and riskier neighborhoods for both visitors and residents. Here are the five neighborhoods considered most dangerous in St. Charles County, based on crime statistics and assessments from various sources.
St. Charles
St. Charles, a city of approximately 70,000 residents, serves as the county seat and is the largest city in St. Charles County. Situated along the Missouri River, it holds historical significance as one of Missouri’s oldest cities.
Notable landmarks include the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, the Foundry Art Centre, and the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa. Unfortunately, St. Charles is also characterized by higher crime rates.
The crime rate is 38% above the national average, with violent crime rates 76% higher than average. On average, a crime occurs every 23 minutes in St. Charles, and the population density is around 2,000 people per square mile. This places the likelihood of being a crime victim here at approximately 1 in 20.
Wentzville
Wentzville, with a population of about 40,000, lies to the west of St. Charles along Interstate 70. Established as a railroad town in 1872 and named after Erasmus Livingston Wentz, it’s also notable for housing a General Motors assembly plant producing vans and trucks. Nevertheless, Wentzville grapples with elevated crime rates.
The crime rate is 35% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 71% higher. Crimes occur about every 25 minutes on average, and the population density is roughly 1,000 people per square mile. The probability of becoming a victim of crime in Wentzville is approximately 1 in 21.
O’Fallon
O’Fallon, hosting about 90,000 residents, lies to the south of St. Charles along Interstate 64. It originated in 1856 as a farming community and bears the name of railroad president and philanthropist John O’Fallon. Attractions like the O’Fallon Sports Park and the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex are present here.
Despite these attractions, O’Fallon contends with higher crime rates. The crime rate is 32% above the national average, with violent crime rates 67% higher. Crimes happen approximately every 26 minutes on average, and the population density stands at around 2,000 people per square mile. The likelihood of falling victim to crime in O’Fallon is roughly 1 in 22.
Lake Saint Louis
Lake Saint Louis, with a population of approximately 15,000, is situated south of Wentzville along Interstate 64. Established as a planned community in 1966 around two lakes, it offers amenities like the Lake Saint Louis Community Association Clubhouse and the Lake Saint Louis Golf Course. Nevertheless, Lake Saint Louis contends with above-average crime rates.
The crime rate is 30% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 63% higher. Crimes occur approximately every 27 minutes on average, and the population density is about 1,000 people per square mile. The chance of experiencing crime as a victim in Lake Saint Louis is about 1 in 23.
Cottleville
Cottleville, with roughly 5,000 residents, is located east of O’Fallon along State Route N. It originated in 1839 as a trading post and bears the name of pioneer and settler Captain Lorenzo Cottle. Historic sites such as the Cottleville Cemetery and the Cottleville Wine Seller can be found here. However, Cottleville is also characterized by higher crime rates.
The crime rate is 28% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 56% higher. Crimes take place approximately every 28 minutes on average, and the population density is around 500 people per square mile. The probability of becoming a crime victim in Cottleville is roughly 1 in 24.
Conclusion
These are the five neighborhoods in St. Charles County, Missouri, that exhibit higher crime rates based on available data. It’s crucial to note that crime can occur anywhere and at any time, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and situational awareness.
Whether you live in or visit these areas, practicing safety measures such as locking doors and windows, avoiding poorly lit or isolated areas during nighttime, reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement, and potentially installing a home security system can contribute to personal safety.