| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Watervliet/100k people | New York/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 251 | n/a (estimate) | 2,483 | 2,100 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 9.9 | 2.7 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 7 | n/a | 69.3 | 21.7 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 9 | n/a | 89.0 | 96.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 19 | n/a | 188.0 | 259.6 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 36 | n/a (estimate) | 356 | 380 | 359 |
| Burglary | 37 | n/a | 366.0 | 136.6 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 161 | n/a | 1,592.8 | 1,432.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 17 | n/a | 168.2 | 150.2 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 215 | n/a (estimate) | 2,127 | 1,720 | 1,760 |

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Watervliet crime rate is 17.2% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Watervliet, there were 36 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 356 per 100,000 individuals, 0.8% lower than the national average. Additionally, Watervliet recorded 215 property crimes, amounting to 2127 per 100,000 residents, 20.9% higher than the U.S. average.
The violent crime rate in Watervliet closely mirrors the national average among all cities that reported crime, with 356 incidents per 100,000 people. The national average for violent crime per 100,000 people was 359. This consistency highlights Watervliet as a community where safety standards are in line with the broader national landscape, providing residents with a reliable sense of security.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Watervliet. Based on the results of the surveys (6 responses), 67% of people felt that there was very little crime in Watervliet and felt safe walking alone at night. While 33% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Watervliet 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, Watervliet has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 17%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.69 daily incidents, encompassing 0.1 violent crimes and 0.59 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Watervliet 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 Watervliet 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 Watervliet has increased by 3.7% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 18.2% and property crime has increased by 8.6%.
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 Watervliet 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. Watervliet has an unemployment rate of 3.1%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Watervliet has a population density of 7679.7 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 Watervliet crime rates.
In Watervliet, the median home price stands at $279,121, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
| Item | Watervliet | New York | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 27 | 109,351 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.6 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New York /100K | National /100K |
| New York | 25,064 | 137 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Averill Park, NY | 1,508 | 125 | 566 | 691 |
| Round Lake, NY | 1,289 | 128 | 582 | 710 |
| Voorheesville, NY | 2,868 | 129 | 586 | 715 |
| Nassau, NY | 1,154 | 158 | 717 | 875 |
| Castleton-on-Hudson, NY | 1,529 | 166 | 752 | 918 |
| Menands, NY | 3,993 | 180 | 814 | 994 |
| West Sand Lake, NY | 3,495 | 180 | 815 | 995 |
| Watervliet, NY | 10,333 | 356 | 2,127 | 2,483 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Flat Rock, MI | 10,332 | 313 | 969 | 1,282 |
| Highland, IL | 10,335 | 131 | 604 | 735 |
| Berlin, NH | 10,336 | 127 | 1,752 | 1,878 |
| Bastrop, LA | 10,329 | 1,422 | 4,834 | 6,256 |
| Citrus, CA | 10,339 | 494 | 2,112 | 2,606 |
| Watervliet, NY | 10,333 | 356 | 2,127 | 2,483 |