Schenectady County Crime & Safety

Schenectady County, New York

Safety Score

9/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2878.1

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

369.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2508.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

9/100

Higher = safer

State avg 56/100

State Safety Rank

#59

of 60 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Schenectady County, New York

Local Crime Rates Exceed National Averages

Schenectady County reports a total crime rate of 2878.1 per 100K, which is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. This results in a safety score of 95.5. These figures indicate a higher frequency of criminal incidents compared to many other U.S. counties.

Below the New York Safety Benchmark

The county's safety score of 95.5 is notably lower than the New York state average of 98.3. Schenectady's total crime rate of 2878.1 per 100K is more than double the statewide average of 1074.4. Law enforcement faces more incidents per capita here than in most New York counties.

Highest Crime Rate Among Nearby Counties

Schenectady’s crime rate of 2878.1 is significantly higher than neighboring Saratoga at 927.5 and Rensselaer at 1964.7. These regional disparities highlight specific challenges faced within the county's borders. Local officials continue to address these localized crime trends through targeted initiatives.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

Property crime is the most prevalent issue, with a rate of 2508.7 per 100K residents. The violent crime rate of 369.4 is nearly triple the state average of 125.0. Six reporting agencies provide the data used to track these public safety challenges.

Prioritizing Home and Personal Security

High property crime rates mean residents should invest in robust home security systems and surveillance cameras. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles and ensure all entry points are well-fortified. Awareness and preventative measures are critical for safety in Schenectady.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Schenectady County, NY?

Schenectady County has a total crime rate of 2878.1 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (369.4 per 100K) and property crimes (2508.7 per 100K).

Is Schenectady County, NY safe?

Schenectady County has a safety score of 9/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #59 out of 60 counties in New York for safety (1 = safest).

How does Schenectady County crime compare to the New York average?

What types of crime are most common in Schenectady County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Schenectady County?

Crime data for Schenectady County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Schenectady County?

Schenectady County has a safety score of 9/100, which is below the New York average of 56/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.