| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Fort Wayne/100k people | Indiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 6,882 | n/a (estimate) | 2,531 | 1,692 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 30 | n/a | 11.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 116 | n/a | 42.7 | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 149 | n/a | 54.8 | 34.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 541 | n/a | 199.0 | 239.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 836 | n/a (estimate) | 307 | 313 | 359 |
| Burglary | 591 | n/a | 217.4 | 176.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 4,735 | n/a | 1,741.5 | 988.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 720 | n/a | 264.8 | 213.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 6,046 | n/a (estimate) | 2,224 | 1,379 | 1,760 |
The Fort Wayne crime rates are 19.4% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 836 violent crimes in Fort Wayne (307 per 100,000 people), which is 14.4% lower than the national average and there were a total of 6046 property crimes (2224 per 100,000 residents) which is 26.3% higher than average.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Fort Wayne stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Fort Wayne, there were a total of 30 murders, translating to 11 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
AreaVibes surveyed 105 local residents in Fort Wayne to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 48% of people answered that there was very little crime in Fort Wayne and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 52% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Fort Wayne, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Fort Wayne presents a total crime rate that is 19% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Fort Wayne experiences an average of 18.85 daily crimes, comprising 2.29 violent incidents and 16.56 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Fort Wayne. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Fort Wayne has increased by 0.4%. Violent crimes have increased by 18.9%, while property crimes have increased by 1.7%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
Fort Wayne is a large urban city with at least 185 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Fort Wayne include: Timber Lake-Covington Woods, Inverness Lakes and Saratoga Park. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Williams Park, East Side and Mount Vernon Park.
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 Fort Wayne crime rates. In Fort Wayne, the poverty rate stands at 15.5%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Fort Wayne crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Fort Wayne has an unemployment rate of 4.1%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
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 Fort Wayne, the cost of living is 10.31% lower than the national average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Fort Wayne | Indiana | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 498 | 8,766 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.9 | 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 |
| Leo-Cedarville, IN | 3,927 | 71 | 314 | 385 |
| Grabill, IN | 1,322 | 91 | 401 | 492 |
| Roanoke, IN | 1,616 | 94 | 414 | 508 |
| Harlan, IN | 1,758 | 98 | 433 | 531 |
| Churubusco, IN | 1,970 | 127 | 560 | 687 |
| Monroeville, IN | 1,355 | 130 | 572 | 702 |
| Woodburn, IN | 1,435 | 130 | 574 | 705 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 274,188 | 307 | 2,224 | 2,531 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Chula Vista, CA | 274,613 | 376 | 1,132 | 1,508 |
| St. Petersburg, FL | 271,787 | 620 | 2,459 | 3,079 |
| Laredo, TX | 268,554 | 366 | 1,465 | 1,831 |
| Jersey City, NJ | 268,546 | 562 | 2,029 | 2,591 |
| Irvine, CA | 280,132 | 84 | 1,390 | 1,474 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 274,188 | 307 | 2,224 | 2,531 |
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