With 8,177,025 residents, New York City, New York, is the largest city in the US. Today, we’ll explore the NYC crime rate so that you know how safe you’ll be when you visit the Big Apple.
New York is the most influential American city, and it’s also the most ethnically diverse place you’ll see in the US. This article will cover three of the five boroughs in New York — Queens, Bronx, and Manhattan. Read on and learn to what degree each type of crime is present in the city.
History of the NYC Crime Rate
The first instances of criminal activities in NYC were recorded as early as the 1800s. The data was mostly focused on organized crime and various street gangs that roamed the streets of New York. Back then, NYC had about 60,000–90,000 residents.
In the 1960s, the US unemployment was 4.8%, and in 1963, there were 548 murders in NYC, which had 7.8 million residents. The NYC crime rate by year have grown further; in 1967, there were 746 murders, and in 1968, crime rates rose even more due to police corruption.
In 1969, there were 1,043 murders, and by 1972, the Lindsay’s Knapp Commission issued a report on police corruption and necessary reforms.
According to statistics, there were 1,691 murders in the city in the same year. By 1979, residents in New York saw 250 felonies per week, most of which occurred in the subways.
The crime rate in NYC changed in the 1980s when crack cocaine came to NYC. Many people became addicts, and dealers started battling for territory. What’s more, some addicts started robbing others to satisfy their cravings.
In the 1990s, the murder record hit a record-high of 2,245 murders. A few years later, the police force started using CompStat, a program that helps them track crime rate statistics across the most dangerous blocks in New York even today.
The murder rates started dropping, and the unemployment rate dropped to its lowest in the 2000s. NYC is home to many important companies such as MetLife, Moody’s, NBC, Philip Morris International, and others.
Current New York City Crime Rate
Today, the total crime rate in New York City is 9% lower than the US average. The property crime rate is also 20% down. However, with a rate 49% higher than the national average, the violent crime rate remains a concern.
There have been a total of 177,320 reported crimes in 2020, but New York remained safer than 19% of other cities in the US. Additionally, the year-over-year crime rate in New York increased by 5%. Currently, the total daily crime rate is 5.58. For comparison, the state average is 4.86, and the US average is 6.43.
According to the NYC crime rate map, these are the best-rated neighborhoods in New York:
- Battery Park
- Tribeca
- Greenwich Village
Battery Park is located in Lower Manhattan and is one of the safest places near New York. Tribeca is just above Battery Park and is one of the most expensive places in NYC. Finally, Greenwich Village is located west of Lower Manhattan, and it’s an important art scene in the city.
Different Types of Crimes New York
There were a total of 177,320 crime incident reports in 2020, with 47,959 being violent crimes and 129,361 being property crimes. Aggravated assault and theft are the most common types of crime. To put things in perspective, there were 47,821 violent crimes in 2019.
NYC Crime Rate for Crimes Against Persons
Crimes against persons are also called violent crimes, and they include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. NYC saw a total of 47,959 incidents of violent crimes in 2020. Let’s break down the incidents for each type.
NYC had 468 reported murders in 2020.
(Areavibes)
According to the latest FBI reports, residents of New York reported 468 murders in 2020. This accounts for the 5.6 NYC murder rate. In contrast, the average state murder rate is 4.2, but the national average is 6.5.
In 2020, there were 32,056 aggravated assaults in NYC.
(Areavibes)
There were 32,056 reported aggravated assaults in 2020, indicating a 386.2 NYC assault rate. The state’s average is 240.7, while the US average is 279.7. According to statistics, aggravated assault is the most common type of crime in New York.
The NYC rape crime rate is lower than the state and national average.
(Areavibes)
In 2020, residents of New York reported 2,253 incidents of rape. This makes the NYC violent crime rate for rape 27.1, which is lower than the state (28.3) and national (38.4) averages.
There were 13,182 cases of robbery in 2020.
(Areavibes)
Robbery is the second-most common crime in New York City, with 13,182 reported cases in 2020. The crime rate for robbery is 158.8 in New York, while the national average is 73.9 and the state average is 90.6.
New York City Crime Rate for Crimes Against Property
Property crime isn’t rare in New York — there were 129,361 reported incidents in 2020. What’s more, theft is the most common type of crime in this city.
Residents of New York were exposed to 13,907 burglaries.
(Areavibes)
Burglary is the second-most common property crime, with almost 14,000 reported incidents in 2020. According to recent NYC crime rates, this city has a burglary rate of 167.5 per 100,000 residents. For comparison, the state’s rate is 165.5 while the national rate is more than double — 314.2.
The theft rate in New York City is 1,279.4 per 100,000 residents.
(Areavibes)
Theft is the most common crime in New York, with 106,196 reported incidents and a rate of 1,279.4. This New York crime rate is close to the national (1,398.0) and state (1,143.6) rates.
There were 9,258 reported vehicle thefts in 2020.
(Areavibes)
Furthermore, vehicle theft is the least common property crime in New York, with 9,258 reported car thefts and a crime rate of 111.5. Additionally, the crime rate is similar to the state’s one (101.7) but way lower than the US vehicle theft rate of 246.0.
NYC Crime Statistics for Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan
The Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan are some of the most famous boroughs in New York City. Therefore, we’ll also cover their crime rates and include other crime data.
The South Bronx total crime rate is 30% higher than the US average.
(Areavibes)
The latest statistics show that the total crime rate in the South Bronx is 30% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is 198% higher, while the property crime rate is 3% lower. Additionally, the Bronx crime rate makes it safer than 30% of other cities in New York. Still, you’d have one in 33 chances of being a victim of a crime in this area.
Manhattan has a murder rate of 4.
(Niche)
Manhattan has a murder rate of 4, while the national rate is 6.1. Additionally, the aggravated assault rate is 378.4, making it the most common violent crime in Manhattan. On the other hand, the Manhattan crime rate data shows that theft is the most frequent property crime, with a rate of 1,404.6, while car theft is the least common, with a rate of 88.5.
Queens has the same murder rate as Manhattan.
(Niche)
Overall, Queens has the same crime rates as Manhattan: 378.4 for assault, 4 for murder, 13.2 for rape, and 228.3 for robbery. In terms of property crimes, the Queens crime rate for burglary is 197.8, while those for theft and MV theft are 1,404.6 and 88.5, respectively.
Conclusion
New York City is the largest city in, but not one of the safest cities in America. But not all is black. Namely, based on the number of people living in the area, it could have easily been the most dangerous city in the whole country. However, that’s not the case — when the NYC crime rate is compared to other cities’, you can see that NYC is a decent place to live in.
Overall, the total crime rate in NY is 9% lower than the US average, but the violent crime rate is 49% higher. As always, you’ll want to be careful in some areas. Make sure to avoid Central Park at night and remain vigilant in the South Bronx.
People Also Ask
Where does NYC rank in crime?
Even though it’s the largest city in the US, New York has a decent crime rate compared to other cities. The total crime rate is 9% lower than the national average, and the property crime rate is 20% down. In addition, it is safer than 19% of other cities in the nation.
However, the violent crime rate is 49% higher than the US average crime rate. Moreover, New York City had 177,320 reported criminal incidents in 2020.
Is the crime rate high in New York?
At the moment, the total daily crime rate in New York is 5.85, the property crime rate is 4.27, and the violent crime rate is 1.58. They’re not too different from the average state rates, which are 4.86 for the total crime, 3.86 for property crime, and 1 for violent crime.
Overall, New York is safer than 19% of other American cities. However, its crime rate increased by 5% YoY, which is evident from the latest violent crime rate data.
What city has the highest crime rate?
Current crime rate data shows that St. Louis is the least safe city in the US. Its total crime rate is 234% higher than the US average. Moreover, violent crime is 420% higher, and property crime is 198% up.
Even though St. Louis is the worst city in terms of safety in the US, the YoY crime rate has dropped by 3%. Additionally, you’d have one in 13 chances of being a victim of any crime here.
Is crime common in NYC?
There were 177,320 reported crimes in New York during 2020, out of which 47,959 were violent crimes. Aggravated assault is the most common type with 32,056 reported cases, while murder is the least frequent, with 468 reported incidents.
When it comes to property crime, there were 129,361 reported cases, with theft being the most common crime overall.
What is the property crime rate in New York City?
Citizens of NYC reported a total of 129,361 property crime incidents in 2020. This is a rate of 1,559 cases per 100,000 residents. On the other hand, the state’s rate sits at 1,411, while the national property crime rate is 1,958.
The total daily property crime rate in New York City is 4.27, close to both national and state averages. Additionally, the current NYC crime rate shows that theft is the most common crime in the city.
