As of April 2017, St. Louis has the highest murder rate in the nation. The violence in the city is escalating at alarming rates. However, local government agencies are working with the governor of Missouri to clean up our streets and restore peace to our beautiful city. While that process is ongoing, it is good to know which areas to avoid in St. Louis.

The following information is for the year 2017 through the end of June. I found the data in a current St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Crime Report. Please keep in mind I am not encouraging anyone to avoid these neighborhoods or attractions in these neighborhoods. With any big city, you should always be aware of your surroundings and be safe. Lock your car doors, don’t pick up strangers, don’t drive through neighborhoods you are unfamiliar with, and be aware of your surroundings when walking to your car.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reported the following places as the top 13 St. Louis neighborhoods you don’t want to get caught in after dark.

  1. Downtown St. Louis

Jim Bauer/flickr First on the list of dangerous parts of St. Louis is its downtown. It is listed with a total of 672 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, two rapes, 27 robberies, 37 aggravated assaults, 26 burglaries, 542 reports of larceny, and 36 stolen vehicles. Downtown St. Louis is currently not a good spot to be once the sun goes down. Downtown, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. The Central West End

Paul Sableman/flickr The Central West End is listed with a total of 549 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, two rapes, 26 robberies, 29 aggravated assaults, 37 burglaries, 412 reports of larceny, and 41 stolen vehicles. It seems like a the Central West End of St. Louis is not a safe place to be at night. The Central West End Association, 4818 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA

  1. Dutchtown

Paul Sableman/flickr Dutchtown is listed with a total of 536 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, five rapes, 47 robberies, 132 aggravated assaults, 88 burglaries, 211 reports of larceny, and 49 stolen vehicles. Dutchtown is a place you might want to steer clear of in the evenings. Dutchtown, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Downtown St. Louis West

Paul Sableman/flickr Downtown St. Louis West is listed with a total of 484 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, six rapes, 42 robberies, 56 aggravated assaults, 16 burglaries, 311 reports of larceny, and 51 stolen vehicles. Downtown St. Louis West is one of the most dangerous parts of St. Louis. Downtown West, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Tower Grove South

Paul Sableman/flickr Tower Grove South is listed with a total of 363 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, one rape, 35 robberies, 25 aggravated assaults, 49 burglaries, 216 reports of larceny, and 35 stolen vehicles. When it comes to areas to avoid in St. Louis, Tower Grove South is fairly high on the list. Tower Grove South, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Baden

Paul Sableman/flickr Baden is listed with a total of 342 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are four homicides, four rapes, 30 robberies, 58 aggravated assaults, 81 burglaries, 110 reports of larceny, and 50 stolen vehicles. Baden, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Wells and Goodfellow

Paul Sableman/flickr Wells and Goodfellow neighborhood is listed with a total of 321 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are 8 homicides, four rapes, 17 robberies, 93 aggravated assaults, 64 burglaries, 99 reports of larceny, and 33 stolen vehicles. Wells-Goodfellow, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Carondelet

Paul Sableman/flickr Carondelet is listed with a total of 315 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, four rapes, 15 robberies, 47 aggravated assaults, 41 burglaries, 165 reports of larceny, and 40 stolen vehicles. Carondelet, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Bevo Mill

Paul Sableman/flickr Bevo Mill is listed with a total of 308 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, one rape, 12 robberies, 48 aggravated assaults, 58 burglaries, 151 reports of larceny, and 35 stolen vehicles. It’s best to be careful when you’re around Bevo Mill, Missouri after dark. Bevo, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Tower Grove East

Paul Sableman/flickr Tower Grove East is listed with a total of 302 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, no rapes, 21 robberies, 19 aggravated assaults, 40 burglaries, 194 reports of larceny, and 24 stolen vehicles. Like all of the towns on this list, Tower Grove East features some cool hidden gems. Tower Grove East, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Gravois Park

Paul Sableman/flickr Gravois Park is listed with a total of 271 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, five rapes, 38 robberies, 47 aggravated assaults, 45 burglaries, 104 reports of larceny, and 27 stolen vehicles. Gravois Park does have some interesting sites. In fact, it is considered one of the most historic neighborhoods in St. Louis. Gravois Park, St. Louis, MO 63118, USA

  1. West End

Paul Sableman/flickr The West End in St. Louis is listed with a total of 241 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are three homicides, four rapes, 16 robberies, 50 aggravated assaults, 33 burglaries, 101 reports of larceny, and 31 stolen vehicles. West End, St. Louis, MO, USA

  1. Jeff Vander Lou

Paul Sableman/flickr Finishing up the list of neighborhoods to avoid in St. Louis is Jeff Vander Lou. Jefferson, Vandeventer, and St. Louis Ave - Jeff Vander Lou - is listed with a total of 241 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are three homicides, one rape, 17 robberies, 69 aggravated assaults, 28 burglaries, 92 reports of larceny, and 27 stolen vehicles. Jeff-Vander-Lou, St. Louis, MO, USA

Even though these are the realities of the world we live in today, there are steps you can take to keep your family safe. Many of these neighborhoods are also the best neighborhoods to live in. The culture and history cannot be beaten and there are many really great people in St. Louis.

Jim Bauer/flickr

First on the list of dangerous parts of St. Louis is its downtown. It is listed with a total of 672 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, two rapes, 27 robberies, 37 aggravated assaults, 26 burglaries, 542 reports of larceny, and 36 stolen vehicles. Downtown St. Louis is currently not a good spot to be once the sun goes down.

Downtown, St. Louis, MO, USA

Paul Sableman/flickr

The Central West End is listed with a total of 549 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, two rapes, 26 robberies, 29 aggravated assaults, 37 burglaries, 412 reports of larceny, and 41 stolen vehicles. It seems like a the Central West End of St. Louis is not a safe place to be at night.

The Central West End Association, 4818 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA

Dutchtown is listed with a total of 536 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, five rapes, 47 robberies, 132 aggravated assaults, 88 burglaries, 211 reports of larceny, and 49 stolen vehicles. Dutchtown is a place you might want to steer clear of in the evenings.

Dutchtown, St. Louis, MO, USA

Downtown St. Louis West is listed with a total of 484 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, six rapes, 42 robberies, 56 aggravated assaults, 16 burglaries, 311 reports of larceny, and 51 stolen vehicles. Downtown St. Louis West is one of the most dangerous parts of St. Louis.

Downtown West, St. Louis, MO, USA

Tower Grove South is listed with a total of 363 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, one rape, 35 robberies, 25 aggravated assaults, 49 burglaries, 216 reports of larceny, and 35 stolen vehicles. When it comes to areas to avoid in St. Louis, Tower Grove South is fairly high on the list.

Tower Grove South, St. Louis, MO, USA

Baden is listed with a total of 342 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are four homicides, four rapes, 30 robberies, 58 aggravated assaults, 81 burglaries, 110 reports of larceny, and 50 stolen vehicles.

Baden, St. Louis, MO, USA

Wells and Goodfellow neighborhood is listed with a total of 321 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are 8 homicides, four rapes, 17 robberies, 93 aggravated assaults, 64 burglaries, 99 reports of larceny, and 33 stolen vehicles.

Wells-Goodfellow, St. Louis, MO, USA

Carondelet is listed with a total of 315 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, four rapes, 15 robberies, 47 aggravated assaults, 41 burglaries, 165 reports of larceny, and 40 stolen vehicles.

Carondelet, St. Louis, MO, USA

Bevo Mill is listed with a total of 308 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, one rape, 12 robberies, 48 aggravated assaults, 58 burglaries, 151 reports of larceny, and 35 stolen vehicles. It’s best to be careful when you’re around Bevo Mill, Missouri after dark.

Bevo, St. Louis, MO, USA

Tower Grove East is listed with a total of 302 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, no rapes, 21 robberies, 19 aggravated assaults, 40 burglaries, 194 reports of larceny, and 24 stolen vehicles. Like all of the towns on this list, Tower Grove East features some cool hidden gems.

Tower Grove East, St. Louis, MO, USA

Gravois Park is listed with a total of 271 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, five rapes, 38 robberies, 47 aggravated assaults, 45 burglaries, 104 reports of larceny, and 27 stolen vehicles. Gravois Park does have some interesting sites. In fact, it is considered one of the most historic neighborhoods in St. Louis.

Gravois Park, St. Louis, MO 63118, USA

The West End in St. Louis is listed with a total of 241 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are three homicides, four rapes, 16 robberies, 50 aggravated assaults, 33 burglaries, 101 reports of larceny, and 31 stolen vehicles.

West End, St. Louis, MO, USA

Finishing up the list of neighborhoods to avoid in St. Louis is Jeff Vander Lou. Jefferson, Vandeventer, and St. Louis Ave - Jeff Vander Lou - is listed with a total of 241 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are three homicides, one rape, 17 robberies, 69 aggravated assaults, 28 burglaries, 92 reports of larceny, and 27 stolen vehicles.

Jeff-Vander-Lou, St. Louis, MO, USA

The numbers are high and disturbing when broken down, but don’t give up yet. Join your local public meetings and become a part of the solution. Our city is worth saving. If you think you won’t make a difference you are wrong. The more people who are involved in our neighborhoods, the bigger difference we can make.

Want to see more on dangerous towns? Check out the 10 Most Dangerous Towns in Missouri to Live In.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Areas to Avoid in St. Louis December 27, 2022 Danielle Schwartz What are the safest cities in Missouri? The safest cities in Missouri are fantastic places to live and visit.

Savannah, Missouri Clever, Missouri Cottleville, Missouri

  What are the most charming small towns in Missouri? The most charming small towns in Missouri are perfect spots to visit or to move to when you want a cozy getaway.

Parkville, Missouri Boonville, Missouri Ste. Genevieve, Missouri Rocheport, Missouri Fulton, Missouri Hannibal, Missouri Weston, Missouri Hermann, Missouri Carthage, Missouri Kimmswick, Missouri Cuba, Missouri Rolla, Missouri Farmington, Missouri Branson, Missouri

  Where are the best day trips in Missouri? The best day trips in Missouri are fun vacations for you and your loved ones to enjoy together.

Bolduc House Museum in Ste. Genevieve Redmon’s Candy Factory in Phillipsburg J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock Mina Sauk Falls in Arcadia Township The National Tiger Sanctuary in Saddlebrooke National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City Old Village Mercantile in Caledonia O’Malley’s Pub in Weston Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis The Barn in St. Louis The Mine at Bonne Terre Turtle Playground in St. Louis Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis

The OIYS Visitor Center

Areas to Avoid in St. Louis

December 27, 2022

Danielle Schwartz

What are the safest cities in Missouri? The safest cities in Missouri are fantastic places to live and visit.

Savannah, Missouri Clever, Missouri Cottleville, Missouri

  What are the most charming small towns in Missouri? The most charming small towns in Missouri are perfect spots to visit or to move to when you want a cozy getaway.

Parkville, Missouri Boonville, Missouri Ste. Genevieve, Missouri Rocheport, Missouri Fulton, Missouri Hannibal, Missouri Weston, Missouri Hermann, Missouri Carthage, Missouri Kimmswick, Missouri Cuba, Missouri Rolla, Missouri Farmington, Missouri Branson, Missouri

  Where are the best day trips in Missouri? The best day trips in Missouri are fun vacations for you and your loved ones to enjoy together.

Bolduc House Museum in Ste. Genevieve Redmon’s Candy Factory in Phillipsburg J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock Mina Sauk Falls in Arcadia Township The National Tiger Sanctuary in Saddlebrooke National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City Old Village Mercantile in Caledonia O’Malley’s Pub in Weston Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis The Barn in St. Louis The Mine at Bonne Terre Turtle Playground in St. Louis Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The safest cities in Missouri are fantastic places to live and visit.

  • Savannah, Missouri
  • Clever, Missouri
  • Cottleville, Missouri

 

What are the most charming small towns in Missouri?

The most charming small towns in Missouri are perfect spots to visit or to move to when you want a cozy getaway.

  • Parkville, Missouri
  • Boonville, Missouri
  • Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
  • Rocheport, Missouri
  • Fulton, Missouri
  • Hannibal, Missouri
  • Weston, Missouri
  • Hermann, Missouri
  • Carthage, Missouri
  • Kimmswick, Missouri
  • Cuba, Missouri
  • Rolla, Missouri
  • Farmington, Missouri
  • Branson, Missouri

Where are the best day trips in Missouri?

The best day trips in Missouri are fun vacations for you and your loved ones to enjoy together.

  • Bolduc House Museum in Ste. Genevieve
  • Redmon’s Candy Factory in Phillipsburg
  • J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock
  • Mina Sauk Falls in Arcadia Township
  • The National Tiger Sanctuary in Saddlebrooke
  • National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City
  • Old Village Mercantile in Caledonia
  • O’Malley’s Pub in Weston
  • Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St. Louis
  • The Barn in St. Louis
  • The Mine at Bonne Terre
  • Turtle Playground in St. Louis
  • Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis