| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Riverdale Park/100k people | Maryland/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 277 | n/a (estimate) | 3,896 | 2,470 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 14.1 | 7.2 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 28.1 | 33.0 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 24 | n/a | 337.6 | 123.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 43 | n/a | 604.9 | 257.0 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 70 | n/a (estimate) | 985 | 420 | 359 |
| Burglary | 16 | n/a | 225.1 | 190.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 160 | n/a | 2,250.7 | 1,446.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 31 | n/a | 436.1 | 412.8 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 207 | n/a (estimate) | 2,912 | 2,050 | 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 Riverdale Park crime rate is higher than the national average by 83.9%. Specifically, there were 70 violent crimes in Riverdale Park, equivalent to 985 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 174.2%. Furthermore, Riverdale Park recorded 207 property crimes, amounting to 2912 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 65.4%.
Riverdale Park has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 985 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Riverdale Park falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 102 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.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Riverdale Park stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Riverdale Park, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 14 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Riverdale Park ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 31 vehicle thefts, amounting to 436 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Riverdale Park within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 230.
What do the local residents think about crime in Riverdale Park? Well, based on a recent survey of 10 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 20% of Riverdale Park residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 80% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Riverdale Park a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Riverdale Park crime rate is 84% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.76 crimes per day - 0.19 violent crimes and 0.57 property crimes.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Riverdale Park has increased by 29.4%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Riverdale Park, 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 218.2%, while property crime has increased by 7.8%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Riverdale Park is a safe place to live.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Riverdale Park currently has an unemployment rate of 3.1%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
In Riverdale Park, 59.7% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Riverdale Park has a median home price of $627,899, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

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| Item | Riverdale Park | Maryland | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 28 | 5,343 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.0 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Maryland /100K | National /100K |
| Maryland | 7,370 | 135 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Derwood, MD | 1,693 | 59 | 288 | 347 |
| Martin's Additions, MD | 1,119 | 59 | 288 | 347 |
| Chevy Chase View, MD | 1,184 | 59 | 288 | 347 |
| Cabin John, MD | 2,355 | 66 | 322 | 387 |
| Kensington, MD | 2,290 | 66 | 322 | 387 |
| Chevy Chase town, MD | 3,037 | 66 | 322 | 387 |
| Chevy Chase, MD | 3,039 | 66 | 322 | 387 |
| Riverdale Park, MD | 7,497 | 985 | 2,912 | 3,896 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Dunlap, IN | 7,498 | 231 | 1,019 | 1,250 |
| West Concord, MA | 7,498 | 102 | 362 | 464 |
| Providence Village, TX | 7,500 | 211 | 1,106 | 1,317 |
| La Feria, TX | 7,494 | 416 | 1,589 | 2,005 |
| Northridge, OH | 7,500 | 213 | 1,122 | 1,335 |
| Riverdale Park, MD | 7,497 | 985 | 2,912 | 3,896 |