Is Jennings Safe, Pros and cons of living in Jennings

Is it Safe to Live in Jennings?

Jennings, Missouri, presents a complex picture regarding safety, with crime rates significantly higher than both national and state averages. The overall crime rate is 89.21 per 1,000 residents, and one’s chance of being a victim of crime in Jennings is about 1 in 14 (as reported by CrimeGrade.org and NeighborhoodScout). Specifically, violent crimes in Jennings are 78% higher than the national average, and property crimes are 52% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Your likelihood of experiencing crime can vary considerably by neighborhood within Jennings. While residents generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest, with a chance of being a victim of crime around 1 in 15, the western neighborhoods present a higher risk, with a chance of 1 in 7 (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident in Jennings is estimated at $1,743 annually, which is substantially higher than the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living in Jennings

Jennings offers a cost of living that is notably more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living index is 13% less expensive than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Housing is a significant contributor to this affordability, with the median home value in Jennings being $68,800 (as of 2024), which is substantially lower than the national median home value of $332,700 (as reported by Data USA).

Rentals in Jennings also reflect this affordability. The average rent for an apartment in Jennings is approximately $868 per month, which is 55% lower than the national average rent of $1,642 per month (as reported by Apartments.com and RentCafe). This makes Jennings an attractive option for those looking to minimize housing expenses.

Housing Market

The median property value in Jennings, MO, was $68,800 in 2024, a figure that is considerably lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The homeownership rate in Jennings stands at 45.1%, which is below the national average of 65.2% (as reported by Data USA).

While home appreciation rates in Jennings have been below the national average over the past decade, currently standing at approximately 1.69% over the last twelve months, the market remains accessible for buyers (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Income and Employment

The average annual household income in Jennings was $50,098 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income is $38,984 (as reported by Data USA and Census Reporter). The unemployment rate in Jennings is reported at 8.9% (as reported by Point2Homes), which is higher than the national average.

A significant portion of the workforce, 80.8%, is employed in professional or administrative positions. The most common job sectors for residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Accommodation & Food Services (as reported by Data USA).

Climate in Jennings

Jennings experiences distinct seasons, with hot and muggy summers and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 25°F to 89°F throughout the year, with rare occurrences of temperatures below 9°F or above 97°F (as reported by AccuWeather).

The hottest month is July, with average high temperatures around 89°F, while January is the coldest, with average low temperatures around 26°F (as reported by AccuWeather). Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with May seeing the most rain at an average of 4.1 inches, and January receiving the least at about 1.6 inches (as reported by AccuWeather).

Education in Jennings

Jennings is served by the Jennings School District. Jennings High School, a public school for grades 9-12, has a C rating on Niche and a 2/10 GreatSchools Rating (as reported by Homes.com). Academic proficiency at Jennings High School is a concern, with significantly lower rates than state averages in subjects like Algebra I and Biology I (as reported by SchoolDigger).

The district as a whole faces academic challenges, though some elementary schools show stronger performance metrics in specific areas. For instance, Fairview Primary has demonstrated higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts for third grade compared to the district and state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger). All schools in the district have 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high poverty rate that may influence academic outcomes (as reported by SchoolDigger).

Demographics of Jennings

Jennings is home to approximately 12,918 residents, with a median age of 39.4 years (as reported by Data USA and Census Reporter). The population is predominantly African American, making up about 89% of residents, with White residents comprising about 5.1% (as reported by Point2Homes and Data USA).

The gender distribution shows 58.4% female and 41.6% male residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The age composition includes about 18.8% children under 15, and 17.8% of the population is 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).

Pros and Cons of Living in Jennings

One of the primary advantages of living in Jennings is its affordability. The cost of living, particularly housing, is significantly lower than the national average, making it an accessible option for many (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute and AreaVibes).

However, a major drawback is the high crime rate, which is substantially above national averages and can impact the sense of safety for residents (as reported by CrimeGrade.org and NeighborhoodScout). While the northeast part of the city is considered safer, overall crime remains a significant concern.

Major Employers

As a suburb of St. Louis, Jennings benefits from the broader metropolitan area’s robust job market. Major employers in the wider St. Louis region include large corporations like Centene Corporation, Walmart, and Target (as reported by Greater St. Louis, Inc. and Indeed.com).

Within Jennings itself, key employment sectors for residents include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation and food services. These sectors provide a range of job opportunities within the local community and the surrounding region (as reported by Data USA).