F
1%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
103%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
18%
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 peoplePittsfield/100k peopleMassachusetts/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,019n/a (estimate)2,3431,3922,324
Murder3n/a6.92.16.3
Rape40n/a92.029.140.0
Robbery32n/a73.637.766.1
Assault251n/a577.1253.1268.2
Violent crime326n/a (estimate)749322370
Burglary231n/a531.1142.8269.8
Theft390n/a896.6827.61,401.9
Vehicle theft72n/a165.599.7282.7
Property crime693n/a (estimate)1,5931,0701,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Pittsfield, MA

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 Pittsfield crime rate is higher than the national average by 0.8%. Specifically, there were 326 violent crimes in Pittsfield, equivalent to 749 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 102.7%. Furthermore, Pittsfield recorded 693 property crimes, amounting to 1593 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 18.5%.

When assessing the total crime rate in Pittsfield per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Pittsfield, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

Pittsfield has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 749 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Pittsfield falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 134 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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Pittsfield?

AreaVibes surveyed 51 local residents in Pittsfield to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 16% of people answered that there was very little crime in Pittsfield and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 84% 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.

Is Pittsfield a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Pittsfield, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Pittsfield presents a total crime rate that is 1% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Pittsfield experiences an average of 2.79 daily crimes, comprising 0.89 violent incidents and 1.9 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Pittsfield Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Pittsfield has increased by 9.1%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Pittsfield, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 18.1%, while property crime has increased by 5.3%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Pittsfield is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Pittsfield

Pittsfield reports an unemployment rate of 4.6%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Pittsfield crime rates.

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 Pittsfield, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.41 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 quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Pittsfield stands at $176,800, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Pittsfield crime map



The Pittsfield crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield, MA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Pittsfield crime rates are 1% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Pittsfield are 103% higher than the national average
      • In Pittsfield you have a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Pittsfield is safer than 12% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Pittsfield has increased by 4%

      Pittsfield, MA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Pittsfield

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        Daily Crime In Pittsfield (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Pittsfield, MA per 100,000 people. In Pittsfield, the total number of daily crimes is 1.68 times more than the Massachusetts average and 1.01 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Pittsfield is 2.33 times more than the Massachusetts average and 2.03 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Pittsfield has a daily crime rate that is 1.49 times more than the Massachusetts average and 1.23 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Pittsfield (higher is better)

        How safe is Pittsfield, Massachusetts compared to other cities in Massachusetts and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Pittsfield is safer than 3% of the cities in Massachusetts and 12% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Massachusetts and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Pittsfield. Overall, Pittsfield is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Pittsfield

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Pittsfield is 1 in 134
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Pittsfield is 1 in 63
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Pittsfield is 1 in 43
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Pittsfield? In Pittsfield, you have a 1 in 134 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 63. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Pittsfield, MA is 1 in 43.

        Year Over Year Crime In Pittsfield (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Pittsfield is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Pittsfield has increased by 13%, while the property crime rate in Pittsfield has increased by 1% year over year. The number of total crimes in Pittsfield has increased by 4% year over year.

        Pittsfield police department

        Item Pittsfield Massachusetts National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)10811,659558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.42.23.3
        There are a total of 108 Pittsfield police officers. This results in 2.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 11.7% greater than the Massachusetts average and 26% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Massachusetts

        State Total offenders Massachusetts /100K National /100K
        Massachusetts4,55172266
        There are a total of 4,551 sex offenders in Massachusetts. This yields a total of 72 sex offenders in Massachusetts per 100,000 residents which is 73% 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
        Cheshire, MA6836262124
        Chester, MA9350164164
        Averill Park, NY1,466172689861
        Adams, MA5,6893591,2631,623
        Lee, MA1,5081921,4981,690
        Lenox, MA1,984981,6261,724
        Housatonic, MA6824421,4701,912
        Pittsfield, MA42,5147491,5932,343

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Woodbridge, VA42,517108784892
        Rohnert Park, CA42,5593911,5601,951
        Hicksville, NY42,4683421,3731,715
        Urbana, IL42,4613882,2762,665
        Schertz, TX42,4331441,1631,307
        Pittsfield, MA42,5147491,5932,343
        Source: The Pittsfield, MA 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.