Suffolk County Crime & Safety

Suffolk County, New York

Safety Score

40/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1357.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

88.2

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1269.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

40/100

Higher = safer

State avg 56/100

State Safety Rank

#45

of 60 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Suffolk County, New York

Suffolk remains safer than national benchmarks

Suffolk County maintains a 97.9 safety score, which sits well above the national baseline. Its crime rate of 1,357.4 per 100,000 residents is roughly 43% lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Ranking slightly below state safety averages

With a safety score of 97.9, Suffolk falls just below the New York state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate of 1,357.4 is higher than the state average of 1,074.4, reflecting its dense population and suburban challenges.

Comparing Suffolk to upstate counterparts

Suffolk’s crime rate is considerably higher than rural Ulster County’s 776.3. However, it manages safety more effectively than Tompkins County, which records over 2,000 crimes per 100,000 residents.

Property crime drives local statistics

Suffolk sees a violent crime rate of 88.2, which is significantly lower than the state average of 125.0. Property crime makes up the bulk of local incidents at 1,269.2 per 100,000, underscoring the importance of securing personal assets.

Prioritize residential security in Suffolk

With 22 reporting agencies monitoring the county, residents are encouraged to use smart home technology to deter property theft. Vigilance remains key in maintaining Suffolk’s status as a safe coastal community.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Suffolk County, NY?

Suffolk County has a total crime rate of 1357.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (88.2 per 100K) and property crimes (1269.2 per 100K).

Is Suffolk County, NY safe?

Suffolk County has a safety score of 40/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #45 out of 60 counties in New York for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Suffolk County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Suffolk County?

Crime data for Suffolk 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 Suffolk County?

Suffolk County has a safety score of 40/100, 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.