An Overview of Crime Rates in Baltimore, MD
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Baltimore crime rate is 107.8% 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 Baltimore, there were 8861 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1553 per 100,000 individuals, 320% higher than the national average. Additionally, Baltimore recorded 18699 property crimes, amounting to 3277 per 100,000 residents, 67.7% higher than the U.S. average.
In Baltimore, the crime rate stands at 4830 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 107.83%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Baltimore that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Baltimore is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1553 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 Baltimore is 1 in 65.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Baltimore is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 287 murders in Baltimore, which equates to 50 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Baltimore being a very dangerous place to live.
With a total of 3426 vehicle thefts last year, Baltimore has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 600 per 100,000 people. This lands Baltimore in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 167.
What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Baltimore?
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Baltimore residents. Out of the respondents (432 in total), 17% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Baltimore were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 83% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is Baltimore a Safe Place to Live?
To get a feel for the safety of living in Baltimore, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Baltimore presents a total crime rate that is 108% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Baltimore experiences an average of 75.51 daily crimes, comprising 24.28 violent incidents and 51.23 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Has Crime in Baltimore Increased Since Last Year?
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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore has decreased by 25.2% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 20.2% and property crime has decreased by 27.4%.
Baltimore Neighborhood Crime Rates
The Baltimore region comprises an array of over 54 distinct neighborhoods, each characterized by its unique crime rate influenced by factors including location and socioeconomic conditions. Typically, neighborhoods situated near the city center or downtown core exhibit higher crime rates owing to their higher population density. Conversely, neighborhoods on the city's outskirts tend to boast lower population density, along with reduced unemployment and poverty rates, contributing to a safer environment. Among the secure neighborhoods in Baltimore are exemplars such as Cheswolde Area, Roland Parl-Homewood-Guilford and Chinquapin Park-Belvedere, whereas Pulaski, Fairfield Area and Hopkins-Middle East grapple with an above-average reported crime rate. This underscores the necessity for thorough evaluation across multiple neighborhoods, given their notable variations in crime rates.
Potential Causes for Crime in Baltimore
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Baltimore currently has an unemployment rate of 4.7%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Baltimore, 78.5% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Baltimore has a median home price of $167,300, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
