F
58%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
118%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
46%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleNiagara Falls/100k peopleNew York/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,762n/a (estimate)3,6612,1512,324
Murder5n/a10.44.06.3
Rape10n/a20.829.540.0
Robbery69n/a143.4112.066.1
Assault304n/a631.6283.8268.2
Violent crime388n/a (estimate)806429370
Burglary266n/a552.7162.5269.8
Theft948n/a1,969.71,422.01,401.9
Vehicle theft160n/a332.4137.1282.7
Property crime1,374n/a (estimate)2,8551,7221,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Niagara Falls, NY

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Niagara Falls is 57.5% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 388 violent crimes reported in Niagara Falls, equivalent to 806 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 118%. Additionally, Niagara Falls recorded 1374 property crimes, amounting to 2855 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 46.1%.

Niagara Falls has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 806 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Niagara Falls falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 125 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Niagara Falls has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 5 murders in Niagara Falls, which is 10 murders per 100,000 people.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Niagara Falls?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Niagara Falls residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 102 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 23% of Niagara Falls residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 77% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Niagara Falls a Safe Place to Live?

Is Niagara Falls a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Niagara Falls has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 58%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.83 daily incidents, encompassing 1.06 violent crimes and 3.76 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Niagara Falls as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Niagara Falls Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Niagara Falls has increased by 1.6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Niagara Falls is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 6%, while property crime has increased by 0.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Niagara Falls.

Potential Causes for Crime in Niagara Falls

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Niagara Falls, the cost of living is 18.57% lower than the national average.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Niagara Falls, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 0 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

The median home price in Niagara Falls is $78,500, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Niagara Falls crime map



The Niagara Falls crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Niagara Falls as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Niagara Falls crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Niagara Falls crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Niagara Falls, NY Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Niagara Falls crime rates are 58% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Niagara Falls are 118% higher than the national average
      • In Niagara Falls you have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Niagara Falls is safer than 7% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Niagara Falls has not changed

      Niagara Falls, NY Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Niagara Falls (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Niagara Falls, NY per 100,000 people. In Niagara Falls, the total number of daily crimes is 1.70 times more than the New York average and 1.58 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Niagara Falls is 1.88 times more than the New York average and 2.18 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Niagara Falls has a daily crime rate that is 1.66 times more than the New York average and 1.46 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Niagara Falls (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Niagara Falls to every other city in New York, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Niagara Falls safe? The gauges above illustrate that Niagara Falls is safer than 8% of every city located within New York along with 7% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in New York and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Niagara Falls, NY is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Niagara Falls

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Niagara Falls is 1 in 125
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Niagara Falls is 1 in 36
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Niagara Falls is 1 in 28
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Niagara Falls? In Niagara Falls, NY you have a 1 in 125 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 36 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Niagara Falls.

        Year Over Year Crime In Niagara Falls (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Niagara Falls, NY is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Niagara Falls has increased by 4%, while the property crime rate in Niagara Falls has decreased by 2% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Niagara Falls has not changed with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Niagara Falls police department

        Item Niagara Falls New York National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)166109,351558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a2.93.3

        Sex offenders in New York

        State Total offenders New York /100K National /100K
        New York25,064137266
        There are a total of 25,064 sex offenders in New York. This yields a total of 137 sex offenders in New York per 100,000 residents which is 48% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Youngstown, NY1,687189760949
        Ransomville, NY1,5202018091,010
        Sanborn, NY1,1572118491,060
        Lewiston, NY2,5822208821,102
        North Tonawanda, NY30,3381581,0641,222
        Tonawanda, NY14,7901671,3281,495
        Sloan, NY3,5473081,2371,545
        Niagara Falls, NY47,9788062,8553,661

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Jeffersonville, IN47,9322351,6581,892
        Monroe, LA47,9062,7376,7229,459
        Minot, ND47,8342981,0471,345
        Dublin, OH47,824681,1251,193
        Wauwatosa, WI48,1431992,5472,747
        Niagara Falls, NY47,9788062,8553,661
        Source: The Niagara Falls, NY crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.