| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Gainesville/100k people | Georgia/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,365 | n/a (estimate) | 2,789 | 2,001 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 6 | n/a | 12.3 | 6.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 38 | n/a | 77.6 | 32.2 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 40 | n/a | 81.7 | 40.8 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 155 | n/a | 316.7 | 245.9 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 239 | n/a (estimate) | 488 | 326 | 359 |
| Burglary | 72 | n/a | 147.1 | 202.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 976 | n/a | 1,994.1 | 1,247.3 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 78 | n/a | 159.4 | 224.7 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,126 | n/a (estimate) | 2,301 | 1,675 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Gainesville crime rate is 31.6% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Gainesville, there were 239 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 488 per 100,000 individuals, 36% higher than the national average. Additionally, Gainesville recorded 1126 property crimes, amounting to 2301 per 100,000 residents, 30.7% higher than the U.S. average.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Gainesville 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 6 murders in Gainesville, which is 12 murders per 100,000 people.
What do the local residents think about crime in Gainesville? Well, based on a recent survey of 53 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 21% of Gainesville residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 79% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Gainesville, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Gainesville presents a total crime rate that is 32% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Gainesville experiences an average of 3.74 daily crimes, comprising 0.65 violent incidents and 3.08 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Gainesville. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Gainesville has increased by 0.3%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 34.3%, while property crime has increased by 4.8%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Gainesville.
In Gainesville, the cost of living is 5.13% higher 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.
In Gainesville, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 3.1 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
In Gainesville, the average rental rates are $1,444 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
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 | Gainesville | Georgia | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 108 | 11,364 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.1 | 4.0 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Georgia /100K | National /100K |
| Georgia | 23,117 | 275 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Alto, GA | 1,304 | 0 | 299 | 299 |
| Hoschton, GA | 2,083 | 51 | 263 | 314 |
| Pendergrass, GA | 860 | 218 | 272 | 489 |
| Jefferson, GA | 11,916 | 36 | 457 | 493 |
| Braselton, GA | 12,543 | 123 | 665 | 788 |
| Flowery Branch, GA | 8,088 | 73 | 839 | 911 |
| Clermont, GA | 989 | 172 | 884 | 1,056 |
| Gainesville, GA | 42,333 | 488 | 2,301 | 2,789 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Greenacres, FL | 42,320 | 245 | 1,346 | 1,590 |
| Findlay, OH | 42,458 | 314 | 1,634 | 1,948 |
| Kearny, NJ | 42,471 | 246 | 1,611 | 1,858 |
| Leominster, MA | 42,480 | 484 | 1,315 | 1,799 |
| Bartlett, IL | 42,167 | 28 | 391 | 419 |
| Gainesville, GA | 42,333 | 488 | 2,301 | 2,789 |
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