The DC crime rate is 5,223 crimes per 100,000 people. There are 4,246 property crimes and 977 violent crimes per capita. This is far above the national average of 2,580 total crimes and 382 violent crimes per capita. This is not going without saying that some areas are more prone to high crime than others. Given the statistics are high they have went down and Washington, Dc is making strides to being a safe area. In this article we will discuss more in depth about the crime rate.
Crime in DC
Understanding the Crime Rate
The first place to start to understand crime in Washington, DC is the city’s crime rate. Crime rates below are based on FBI Uniform Crime Statistics (2019) and reported as a per capita amount of crime. This means the amount of crimes per 100,000 people. Only eight index crimes are used to calculate crime rates in the U.S. which are chosen because they are serious and well-tracked nationwide. Looking at just the numbers could make you not want to be in the area. You have to break it down more than just a glance, It is all about location and higher crime rate areas that are in Washington, DC. Below is a break down which will be more settling. To break it down even more and make it more understandable the national crime rate is 2,580 crimes per 100,000 people with 2,362 property crimes and 382 violent crimes per capita.
5,223 total crimes per 100,000 people
977 violent crimes per 100,000 people
4,246 property crimes per 100,000 people
There is a 1 in 19 chance of being the victim of crime while living in DC.
Crime Rate Mapping
In today’s time you can download an app for just about anything, one of which is the crime map so you can discover crime safe neighborhoods. The DC Metropolitan Police Department has a Crime Cards tool that lets you filter crime by type and location. You can also use this map of DC wards to narrow down your options once you’ve found areas with low crime. Here is a list of some of the highest crime rates in DC. Ward 8 is noted to be the most dangerous area in DC. This area also has the highest poverty rate. Ward alone accounted for 80% of the annual increase in murders in neighborhoods like Shaw, Anacostia, and Shipley Terrace. In a single month in 2021, police were investigating 24 assaults with a deadly weapon and 9 homicides in Ward 8.
Deanwood (pop. 30,000) with 186% more crime
Brentwood (pop. 29,000) with 84% more crime
Anacostia (pop. 118,000) with 81% more crime
U Street Corridor (pop. 10,000) with 54% more crime
Stadium-Armory (pop. 21,000) with 50% more crime
Shaw (pop. 14,000) with 50% more crime
South West (pop. 11,000) with 18% more crime
Ledroit Park (pop. 12,000) with 16% more crime
If you are planning just a visit it is recommended to book you a guided tour. This way your with those who will keep you in areas that they know are safe. You will be in no foreseen danger while on a guided tour, they want you as safe as possible and the area you will be in with them is not known for crime. Security is on point around the White House and surrounding attractions. Guided tours give you the added peace of mind to know you will be safe on your trip to Washington, DC.