| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Bedford/100k people | Indiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 42 | n/a (estimate) | 303 | 1,692 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 7.2 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1 | n/a | 7.2 | 34.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 5 | n/a | 36.0 | 239.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 7 | n/a (estimate) | 50 | 313 | 359 |
| Burglary | 5 | n/a | 36.0 | 176.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 28 | n/a | 201.8 | 988.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 2 | n/a | 14.4 | 213.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 35 | n/a (estimate) | 252 | 1,379 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Bedford is 85.7% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Bedford, there were 7 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 50 per 100,000 individuals, 86% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 35 property crimes, amounting to 252 per 100,000 residents, 85.7% lower than the U.S. average.
Bedford proudly maintains an impressively low crime rate, registering at a mere 303, which sharply contrasts with the national average of 2119. This stark contrast firmly positions Bedford as one of the most secure residential destinations throughout the entire United States. The total crime rate takes into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 people, offering an invaluable assessment of the area's safety suitability for living.
With only 50 incidents per 100,000 people, Bedford boasts an exceptionally low rate of violent crimes, positioning it as one of the safest cities in the United States. Given these low violent crime rates, Bedford has become an appealing destination for individuals in search of a secure and welcoming place to establish their new home.
Since 1990, property crime rates per 100,000 people in the United States have steadily decreased. Recently, the average did increase slightly. Having said that, Bedford has a property crime rate that is well below the national average with only 252 reported property crimes compared to the national average of 1760. Based on this report, Bedford remains a very safe place to live with regards to property crime.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Bedford residents. Out of the respondents (8 in total), 75% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Bedford were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 25% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is Bedford 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, Bedford has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 86%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.12 daily incidents, encompassing 0.02 violent crimes and 0.1 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Bedford as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Bedford has decreased by 81.9% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Bedford 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 decreased by 41.7%, while property crime has decreased by 84.1%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Bedford.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Bedford crime rates. In Bedford, the poverty rate stands at 16.1%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Bedford, 78.4% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
In Bedford, the cost of living is 11.08% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
| Item | Bedford | Indiana | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 38 | 8,766 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.8 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Indiana /100K | National /100K |
| Indiana | 12,315 | 198 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Smithville-Sanders, IN | 3,532 | 60 | 263 | 322 |
| Oolitic, IN | 1,479 | 123 | 540 | 662 |
| Orleans, IN | 2,273 | 145 | 637 | 782 |
| Harrodsburg, IN | 607 | 194 | 855 | 1,049 |
| Mitchell, IN | 4,374 | 266 | 1,172 | 1,438 |
| Avoca, IN | 728 | 330 | 1,454 | 1,784 |
| Owensburg, IN | 397 | 361 | 1,589 | 1,949 |
| Bedford, IN | 13,557 | 50 | 252 | 303 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Channahon, IL | 13,561 | 77 | 494 | 571 |
| Shorewood, WI | 13,561 | 22 | 1,702 | 1,724 |
| Verona, WI | 13,552 | 49 | 663 | 712 |
| Bardstown, KY | 13,551 | 165 | 1,394 | 1,559 |
| Mountain Park, GA | 13,564 | 215 | 1,104 | 1,319 |
| Bedford, IN | 13,557 | 50 | 252 | 303 |
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