District of Columbia Crime & Safety
Crime rates and safety scores for all 1 counties.
Avg Violent Crime Rate
819.0
per 100K
Avg Property Crime Rate
3586.0
per 100K
Avg Safety Score
93/100
State Overview
Crime & Safety in District of Columbia
National Context
DC Crime Rates Sit Above National Benchmarks
The District of Columbia reports a total crime rate of 4,404.9 per 100K residents, nearly double the national average of 2,385.5 per 100K. This high concentration places the nation's capital on the high-activity end of the safety spectrum compared to most U.S. states.
Violent vs. Property Crime
Property Offenses Outpace Violent Crime Incidents
Property crime dominates the District's data at 3,585.8 per 100K, significantly outweighing the violent crime rate of 819.1 per 100K. Residents are four times more likely to encounter theft or burglary than violent offenses, following a common urban trend.
Safest Counties
A Single Jurisdiction Administrative Profile
Because the District of Columbia operates as a single administrative entity, its total crime rate of 4,404.9 per 100K applies to the entire jurisdiction. Unlike states with multiple counties, safety comparisons here depend on neighborhood-level data rather than county lines.
Crime Hotspots
Urban Density Drives Higher Crime Statistics
The District's total crime rate of 4,404.9 per 100K reflects its unique challenges as a dense metropolitan hub with a high daily commuter population. While the violent crime rate of 819.1 per 100K exceeds the national benchmark of 369.8, these numbers remain characteristic of major East Coast cities.
The Takeaway
Practical Safety Planning for the Capital
Prospective residents should remain aware that DC's total crime rate is significantly higher than the 2,385.5 national average. Focusing on property security and neighborhood-specific trends is the most effective way for locals to manage their personal safety in this high-traffic environment.
All District of Columbia Counties
| County | Safety Score |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 93/100 |
Crime rates per 100K population. — = data pending.
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Data Sources
Crime data sourced from the FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR) and County Health Rankings. Safety scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Not legal or security advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.