| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Bloomington/100k people | Indiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,367 | n/a (estimate) | 3,005 | 1,692 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 3.8 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 48 | n/a | 60.9 | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 44 | n/a | 55.9 | 34.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 131 | n/a | 166.3 | 239.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 226 | n/a (estimate) | 287 | 313 | 359 |
| Burglary | 178 | n/a | 226.0 | 176.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,832 | n/a | 2,326.0 | 988.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 131 | n/a | 166.3 | 213.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,141 | n/a (estimate) | 2,718 | 1,379 | 1,760 |

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Bloomington crime rate is higher than the national average by 41.8%. Specifically, there were 226 violent crimes in Bloomington, equivalent to 287 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 20.1%. Furthermore, Bloomington recorded 2141 property crimes, amounting to 2718 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 54.4%.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Bloomington. Based on the results of the surveys (77 responses), 56% of people felt that there was very little crime in Bloomington and felt safe walking alone at night. While 44% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Bloomington is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Bloomington has a total crime rate that is 42% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 6.48 daily crimes (0.62 violent daily crimes and 5.87 daily property crimes) in Bloomington.
Year-over-year crime rates in Bloomington has increased by 0.6% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Bloomington 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 52.9%, while property crime has increased by 14.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Bloomington.
Bloomington has a population density of 3768.8 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Bloomington crime rates.
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 Bloomington, the cost of living is 3.74% higher 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 Bloomington, 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.
| Item | Bloomington | Indiana | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 124 | 8,766 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 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 |
| Morgantown, IN | 1,401 | 139 | 614 | 753 |
| Spencer, IN | 2,289 | 140 | 617 | 758 |
| Gosport, IN | 1,092 | 141 | 619 | 760 |
| Harrodsburg, IN | 607 | 194 | 855 | 1,049 |
| Ellettsville, IN | 6,865 | 205 | 905 | 1,111 |
| Stinesville, IN | 334 | 360 | 1,585 | 1,945 |
| Bloomington, IN | 87,630 | 287 | 2,718 | 3,005 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Largo, FL | 87,579 | 330 | 1,753 | 2,083 |
| Duluth, MN | 87,821 | 219 | 2,954 | 3,174 |
| Clifton, NJ | 87,331 | 166 | 2,265 | 2,431 |
| Hemet, CA | 87,279 | 425 | 1,634 | 2,059 |
| Bloomington, MN | 87,234 | 312 | 3,464 | 3,776 |
| Bloomington, IN | 87,630 | 287 | 2,718 | 3,005 |