| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | South Bend/100k people | Indiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,112 | n/a (estimate) | 3,009 | 1,692 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 2.9 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 59 | n/a | 57.1 | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 70 | n/a | 67.7 | 34.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 866 | n/a | 837.4 | 239.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 998 | n/a (estimate) | 965 | 313 | 359 |
| Burglary | 238 | n/a | 230.1 | 176.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,427 | n/a | 1,379.9 | 988.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 449 | n/a | 434.2 | 213.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,114 | n/a (estimate) | 2,044 | 1,379 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in South Bend is 42% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 998 violent crimes reported in South Bend, equivalent to 965 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 168.7%. Additionally, South Bend recorded 2114 property crimes, amounting to 2044 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 16.1%.
South Bend has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 965 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, South Bend falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 104 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.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and South Bend ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 449 vehicle thefts, amounting to 434 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places South Bend 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 231.
What do the local residents think about crime in South Bend? Well, based on a recent survey of 166 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 20% of South Bend 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.
Is South Bend a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, South Bend has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 42%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 8.53 daily incidents, encompassing 2.73 violent crimes and 5.79 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of South Bend as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in South Bend has decreased by 43.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not South Bend 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 43.5%, while property crime has decreased by 43.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in South Bend.
The South Bend area comprises a diverse array of over 28 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Northeast, Twyckenham Hills and North Shore Triangle which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Saint Casimir, Lasalle Park and Lasalle Area exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different South Bend neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.
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 South Bend crime rates. In South Bend, the poverty rate stands at 21.5%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
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. South Bend currently has an unemployment rate of 4%, 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.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In South Bend, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 3.17, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
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 | South Bend | Indiana | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 321 | 8,766 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.2 | 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 |
| Wakarusa, IN | 2,154 | 102 | 448 | 549 |
| New Carlisle, IN | 2,254 | 113 | 496 | 608 |
| North Liberty, IN | 1,888 | 113 | 497 | 610 |
| Fish Lake, IN | 1,362 | 125 | 550 | 675 |
| Edwardsburg, MI | 1,152 | 163 | 517 | 680 |
| Hudson Lake, IN | 1,320 | 128 | 565 | 693 |
| Granger, IN | 31,533 | 135 | 596 | 731 |
| South Bend, IN | 104,796 | 965 | 2,044 | 3,009 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sparks, NV | 105,155 | 394 | 2,584 | 2,978 |
| Renton, WA | 105,173 | 339 | 3,313 | 3,653 |
| Davenport, IA | 105,320 | 581 | 3,541 | 4,122 |
| El Cajon, CA | 105,484 | 434 | 1,500 | 1,935 |
| San Angelo, TX | 104,042 | 218 | 2,486 | 2,704 |
| South Bend, IN | 104,796 | 965 | 2,044 | 3,009 |
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