| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Washington/100k people | District of Columbia/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 31,699 | n/a (estimate) | 4,514 | 4,699 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 179 | n/a | 25.5 | 25.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 239 | n/a | 34.0 | 34.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 3,080 | n/a | 438.6 | 481.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 3,004 | n/a | 427.8 | 463.9 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 6,502 | n/a (estimate) | 926 | 1,006 | 359 |
| Burglary | 1,671 | n/a | 237.9 | 238.2 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 18,220 | n/a | 2,594.5 | 2,668.0 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 5,306 | n/a | 755.6 | 787.2 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 25,197 | n/a (estimate) | 3,588 | 3,693 | 1,760 |
The Washington crime rates are 113% 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 6502 violent crimes in Washington (926 per 100,000 people), which is 157.8% higher than the national average and there were a total of 25197 property crimes (3588 per 100,000 residents) which is 103.9% higher than average.
Having a crime rate of 4514 per 100,000 residents, Washington experiences a crime rate that is 113% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Washington contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.
Washington is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 926 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Washington is 1 in 109.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Washington is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 179 murders in Washington, which equates to 25 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Washington being a very dangerous place to live.
Washington reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 3588 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 28 chance of falling victim to property crime in Washington, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Washington has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Washington reported 5306 vehicle thefts, which equates to 756 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Washington is 1 in 133.
AreaVibes surveyed 306 local residents in Washington to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 24% of people answered that there was very little crime in Washington and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 76% 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 Washington 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, Washington has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 113%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 86.85 daily incidents, encompassing 17.81 violent crimes and 69.03 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Washington as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Washington crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Washington has increased by 1.3% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 4.8% and property crime has increased by 3%.
There are more than 34 different neighborhoods in the Washington area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Washington include Barnaby Woods, Glover Park and Au-Tenleytown. While Deanwood, Brentwood and Anacostia have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.
In Washington, the current unemployment rate stands at 5.2%, diverging from the national average of 4.9%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Washington crime rates.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Washington, 87.4% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Washington, there are 6.85 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.
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 | Washington | District of Columbia | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 4,332 | 4,332 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 6.9 | 6.9 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | District of Columbia /100K | National /100K |
| District of Columbia | 1,081 | 204 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Ravensworth, VA | 2,936 | 34 | 246 | 280 |
| Chevy Chase View, MD | 1,184 | 59 | 288 | 347 |
| Derwood, MD | 1,693 | 59 | 288 | 347 |
| Martin's Additions, MD | 1,119 | 59 | 288 | 347 |
| Chevy Chase, MD | 3,039 | 66 | 322 | 387 |
| Kensington, MD | 2,290 | 66 | 322 | 387 |
| Cabin John, MD | 2,355 | 66 | 322 | 387 |
| Washington, DC | 721,713 | 926 | 3,588 | 4,514 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Boston, MA | 715,604 | 628 | 2,022 | 2,650 |
| El Paso, TX | 703,663 | 278 | 1,494 | 1,772 |
| Denver, CO | 739,923 | 993 | 4,762 | 5,755 |
| Detroit, MI | 692,044 | 1,781 | 4,305 | 6,087 |
| Nashville, TN | 692,022 | 1,124 | 4,510 | 5,634 |
| Washington, DC | 721,713 | 926 | 3,588 | 4,514 |
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