The State of Safety in New York 2023

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New FBI data shows over 50% of all burglaries are residential

The SafeWise team is pleased to release the fifth annual State of Safety report.

According to our 2023 State of Safety report, New York is more worried about safety and crime than most states. 62% of respondents to our survey told us they have high levels of concern every day—12 points higher than the national average of 50%. Survey participants also noted a small dip in personal experiences with violent crime and gun violence compared to the previous reporting year.

In this report

2022 New York crime rates

New York didn't provide enough data to the FBI this year so we're unable to update state crime rates. Here's the latest data available, from 2022:

New York's violent crime rate held steady in 2022 at 3.6 incidents per 1,000 people, lower than the US rate of 4.0. In contrast, the state's property crime rate went up from 13.9 incidents per 1,000 people to 14.1, but that’s still five incidents fewer per capita than the US rate of 19.6.

Among all 50 states, New York had the eighteenth-highest violent crime rate, tied with West Virginia and Indiana. When it comes to property crime, New York had the ninth-lowest property crime rate.

For better crime reporting in New York in the future, we recommend telling local lawmakers and law enforcement agencies that this information matters to you.

Bar chart of violent and property crime rates per 1,000 people where the national average of 4.0 violent crimes per 1,000 people and 19.6 property crimes per 1,000 people.

Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in New York: Fear vs. reality

Reports of personal experience with violent crime in The Empire State fell from 29% to 26% year over year. New York residents also had fewer experiences with gun violence this survey year.

  • 66% of survey respondents reported a high level of concern about violent crime—the third-highest percentage in the country behind Illinois and Georgia.

Attitudes about personal safety in New York

  • 44% of survey participants use some kind of personal protection like a stun gun or pepper spray, compared to 39% nationally.
  • The most popular types of personal protection used by New York respondents this survey year were pepper spray (59%) and pocket knives (50%)—higher than their respective national averages.
  • 55% say their personal safety has been affected by the pandemic (US 44%).

Attitudes about gun violence in New York

  • 68% said gun violence is the safety concern they worry about most on a daily basis (US 47%). This is the third highest in the nation behind Illinois and Louisiana.
  • The number of respondents with a personal gun violence experience (16%) dropped by 7 percentage points since the previous survey year (US 12%).
  • There were 31 mass shooting incidents in New York in 2022, a 14% decrease from the 36 incidents in 2021.
  • For every police officer killed or injured by a gun in New York in 2022, 2.8 suspects experienced the same.
  • There were 7 self-defense shooting incidents in New York in 2022—15 less than the previous year.
New Yorkers are most concerned about gun violence.

Image: SafeWise

Property crime in New York: Fear vs. reality

While New Yorkers worry more about property crime and package theft than the average American, neither issue concerns them as much as violent crime and gun violence.

  • Just as many New Yorkers (25%) reported personal experiences with property crime this survey year as they did in the last survey.
  • Just 30% of New York residents reported feeling safe in their home state (US 50%)—this is lower than every other state except Illinois.

Attitudes about property security in New York

  • 71% of New York residents use some form of property protection (US 76%) with security cameras on top at 46%.
  • 44% of New Yorkers said they added or increased security measures in the 12 months prior to the survey (US 35%).
  • 32% say the security of their property has been affected by the pandemic (US 28%).

Attitudes about package theft in New York

  • 44% of survey respondents in New York reported experiencing package theft in the 12 months prior to the survey (US 34%)—only Louisiana reported more experiences.
  • 62% of participants expressed a high level of concern about package theft (US 53%).
  • The preferred methods of package protection in New York are video doorbells (33%) and verified delivery (29%).

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The safest cities in New York

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

We couldn’t rank the safest cities in New York this year due to limited information reported to the FBI. Only 35 cities that met our criteria provided data to the FBI for 2021 (the most recent year for which data is available). Crime rates for those cities are detailed below.

Auburn, New York
Auburn
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    Population
    25,746
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    Median Income
    $44,076
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.8, N/A, N/A
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    23.0, N/A, N/A
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Bedford, New York
Bedford Town
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    Population
    17,455
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    Median Income
    $151,827
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.1, 0.1, 0.1
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.9, 2.4, 3.2
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Binghamton, New York
Binghamton
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    Population
    43,828
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    Median Income
    $39,012
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.9, 8.4, 8.0
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    33.8, 40.3, 42.9
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Brighton Town, New York
Brighton Town
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    Population
    35,689
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    Median Income
    $75,852
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.7, 0.9, 0.7
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    18.5, 19.6, 17.0
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo
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    Population
    253,809
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    Median Income
    $42,186
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    9.4, 10.2, 9.9
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    30.6, 30.8, 32.5
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Carmel Town, New York
Carmel Town
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    Population
    34,351
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    Median Income
    $112,708
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.4, 0.1, 0.2
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.3, 3.3, 2.2
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Clarkstown Town, New York
Clarkstown Town
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    Population
    80,188
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    Median Income
    $123,507
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.7, 0.5, 0.7
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.6, 10.8, 12.2
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Colonie Town, New York
Colonie Town
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    Population
    78,364
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    Median Income
    $89,977
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.7, 1.0, 0.8
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    26.9, 23.4, 23.5
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Greece Town, New York
Greece Town
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    Population
    95,202
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    Median Income
    $70,444
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.3, 1.6, 1.7
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    18.6, 17.9, 19.3
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Greenburgh Town, New York
Greenburgh Town
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    Population
    44,483
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    Median Income
    $139,286
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.5, 0.6, 1.0
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.2, 9.7, 9.7
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Hempstead Village, New York
Hempstead Village
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    Population
    54,817
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    Median Income
    $74,680
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.5, 6.5, 5.4
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    9.5, 10.3, 10.5
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Hyde Park Town
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    Population
    20,641
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    Median Income
    $78,725
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.2, N/A, 0.2
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    3.0, N/A, 4.0
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Irondequoit Town, New York
Irondequoit Town
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    Population
    49,569
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    Median Income
    $68,969
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.5, N/A, N/A
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    13.0, N/A, N/A
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Jamestown, New York
Jamestown
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    Population
    28,649
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    Median Income
    $36,162
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    8.0, N/A, 6.8
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    27.3, N/A, 29.7
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Middletown, New York
Middletown
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    Population
    28,010
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    Median Income
    $59,755
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.7, 3.2, 3.1
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.9, 13.6, 11.1
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
New Hartford Town and Village, New York
New Hartford Town and Village
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    Population
    20,124
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    Median Income
    $72,463
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.8, 0.9, 0.8
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    32.4, 23.1, 30.4
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle
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    Population
    81,367
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    Median Income
    $87,159
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.6, N/A, 1.2
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    9.5, N/A, 9.7
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls
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    Population
    47,139
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    Median Income
    $43,336
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.8, N/A, 9.0
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    29.0, N/A, 38.6
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
North Tonawanda, New York
North Tonawanda
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    Population
    29,904
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    Median Income
    $61,926
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.3, 1.2, 1.5
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    10.0, 11.0, 11.6
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Ogden Town, New York
Ogden Town
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    Population
    20,715
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    Median Income
    $80,202
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.8, 0.5, 0.5
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.9, 7.5, 7.0
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Geographic location of Orangetown, NY
Orangetown Town
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    Population
    37,135
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    Median Income
    $128,699
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.8, 0.4, 0.9
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.9, 7.7, 7.1
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Oswego City, New York
Oswego City
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    Population
    17,132
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    Median Income
    $47,847
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.3, N/A, 3.0
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    32.0, N/A, 33.8
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Poughkeepsie Town, New York
Poughkeepsie Town
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    Population
    38,808
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    Median Income
    $85,322
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.3, 1.8, 1.8
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    23.0, 22.9, 25.5
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Rome, New York
Rome
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    Population
    31,991
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    Median Income
    $53,995
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    3.1, 2.0, 1.7
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    18.6, 17.8, 16.4
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Saugerties Town, New York
Saugerties Town
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    Population
    18,954
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    Median Income
    $64,441
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    1.1, 1.1, 1.4
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.0, 7.6, 8.6
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Scarsdale Village, New York
Scarsdale Village
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    Population
    17,847
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    Median Income
    $250,001
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.2, N/A, 0.3
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.4, N/A, 6.5
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady
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    Population
    65,140
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    Median Income
    $50,237
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.6, 7.2, 8.1
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    26.4, 24.9, 27.0
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Southold Town, New York
Southold Town
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    Population
    20,045
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    Median Income
    $92,229
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.8, 0.6, 0.8
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    9.2, 13.5, 10.5
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Spring Valley Village, New York
Spring Valley Village
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    Population
    32,340
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    Median Income
    $49,106
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.9, 3.0, 3.6
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.9, 10.6, 13.1
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Utica, New York
Utica
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    Population
    58,965
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    Median Income
    $43,509
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    5.4, 5.0, 6.2
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    35.4, 33.9, 33.2
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Vestal Town, New York
Vestal Town
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    Population
    28,843
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    Median Income
    $70,123
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.9, 0.5, N/A
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    19.3, 16.3, N/A
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Watertown, New York
Watertown
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    Population
    24,091
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    Median Income
    $46,051
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    4.5, 7.4, 6.1
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    37.0, 39.3, 35.3
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Webster Town and Village, New York
Webster Town and Village
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    Population
    45,651
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    Median Income
    $81,345
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.5, 0.6, N/A
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    7.8, 8.0, N/A
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers
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    Population
    200,397
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    Median Income
    $72,403
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    2.6, 3.3, 3.5
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    8.3, 9.9, 9.1
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Yorktown Town, New York
Yorktown Town
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    Population
    35,970
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    Median Income
    $140,935
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    VC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    0.1, 0.2, 0.2
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    PC Rate 2023, 2022, 2021
    6.1, 5.4, 5.9
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    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How to make a safe home anywhere

Whether your city made our list or not, we encourage everyone to be proactive about home security. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens is to add a home security system.

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Find the safest cities in each state

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Related articles on SafeWise


Endnotes and sources

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed February 6, 2023.

  • 2021 and 2020 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2021 NIBRS Estimation Tables

FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, "Offenses Known to Law Enforcement [2019]." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed February 6, 2023.

US Census Bureau, "2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables." Accessed February 6, 2023.

US Census Bureau, "2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables." Accessed February 6, 2023.

SafeWise, "2022 State of Safety survey." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "General Methodology." Accessed February 6, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "Past Summary Ledgers." Accessed January 3, 2023.

Gun Violence Archive, "Congress."

  • 2022 totals: Accessed January 3, 2023.
  • 2021 and 2020 totals: Accessed December 19, 2022.
John Carlsen
Written by
John Carlsen
John is a technology journalist specializing in smart home devices, security cameras, and home security systems. He has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and reviewing the latest tech—he was the Smart Home Editor for Top Ten Reviews and wrote for ASecureLife before joining SafeWise as a Staff Writer in 2020. John holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism emphasis from Utah Valley University. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, photography, cooking, and starting countless DIY projects he has yet to complete.

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