| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Waterbury/100k people | Connecticut/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,739 | n/a (estimate) | 3,241 | 1,502 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 8 | n/a | 6.9 | 2.4 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 51 | n/a | 44.2 | 17.9 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 121 | n/a | 104.9 | 38.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 192 | n/a | 166.4 | 77.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 372 | n/a (estimate) | 322 | 136 | 359 |
| Burglary | 265 | n/a | 229.7 | 117.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,370 | n/a | 2,054.4 | 1,013.7 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 732 | n/a | 634.5 | 235.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 3,367 | n/a (estimate) | 2,919 | 1,366 | 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 Waterbury is 52.9% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 372 violent crimes reported in Waterbury, equivalent to 322 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 10.2%. Additionally, Waterbury recorded 3367 property crimes, amounting to 2919 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 65.8%.
When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Waterbury maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 322 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 359. This alignment suggests that Waterbury shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Waterbury ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 732 vehicle thefts, amounting to 635 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Waterbury 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 158.
AreaVibes surveyed 83 local residents in Waterbury to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 23% of people answered that there was very little crime in Waterbury and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 77% 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.
To determine if Waterbury is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Waterbury has a total crime rate that is 53% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 10.24 daily crimes (1.02 violent daily crimes and 9.22 daily property crimes) in Waterbury.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Waterbury. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Waterbury has increased by 1.7%. Violent crimes have increased by 7.8%, while property crimes have increased by 1%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Waterbury crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Waterbury has an unemployment rate of 6.1%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Waterbury has a population density of 3884.9 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Waterbury crime rates.
In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Waterbury is $241,138, compared to a national average of $326,622.
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 | Waterbury | Connecticut | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 333 | 5,593 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.0 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Connecticut /100K | National /100K |
| Connecticut | 6,088 | 184 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Woodbury Center, CT | 1,194 | 30 | 297 | 327 |
| Litchfield, CT | 1,327 | 31 | 315 | 346 |
| Newtown, CT | 1,962 | 18 | 351 | 369 |
| Bethlehem Village, CT | 1,852 | 38 | 379 | 417 |
| Thomaston, CT | 1,786 | 0 | 518 | 518 |
| Plantsville, CT | 1,994 | 48 | 482 | 530 |
| Cheshire Village, CT | 6,632 | 79 | 794 | 873 |
| Waterbury, CT | 110,817 | 322 | 2,919 | 3,241 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Jurupa Valley, CA | 110,862 | 184 | 2,519 | 2,703 |
| Greeley, CO | 110,935 | 671 | 3,020 | 3,690 |
| Sandy Springs, GA | 111,012 | 139 | 1,461 | 1,600 |
| Lewisville, TX | 111,065 | 187 | 1,517 | 1,705 |
| Meridian, ID | 110,487 | 147 | 571 | 718 |
| Waterbury, CT | 110,817 | 322 | 2,919 | 3,241 |
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