How Safe or Dangerous Is District of Columbia in 2024?
District of Columbia Safety Scores, out of 100 points (2023)
In the District of Columbia, a 30/100 safety score from overall crime indicates that the district could focus more on safety improvements.
- Overall Crime (safety score): 30
- Violent Crime (safety score): 26
- Property Crime (safety score): 41
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from overall crime, this district is much more dangerous (-20 pts lower), much more dangerous from violent crime (-22 pts lower), and more dangerous from property crime (-12 pts lower).
Where Does District of Columbia Rank in Safety Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Crime (safety ranking): 51st
- Violent Crime (safety ranking): 51st
- Property Crime (safety ranking): 43rd
Looking at the 50 states in America (and D.C.), where crime data has been reported, the District of Columbia is ranked 51st in overall safety from overall crime, making it a significantly more dangerous district comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent and property crime, District of Columbia is ranked 51st on safety from violent crime, meaning it's a significantly more dangerous area for this category of crime. With respect to safety from property crime, this district is positioned 43rd and is a much more dangerous area relative to others.
Is the District of Columbia Becoming Safer or More Dangerous?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Crime (Year-on-Year): -4 percentage points
- Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): -3 percentage points
- Property Crime (Year-on-Year): -4 percentage points
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from overall crime, this district in 2023 is slightly more dangerous overall (-4 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from violent crime (-3 pts lower), and slightly more dangerous from property crime (-4 pts lower).
What Is the Likelihood of Becoming a Crime Victim in the District of Columbia in 2024?
- Overall Crime: Moderate
- Violent Crime: Fair
- Property Crime: Moderate
In the District of Columbia, the overall risk of becoming a victim of crime is moderate. Specifically, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is fair, and the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is moderate.
What Are the Overall Crime Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Overall Crime: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Crime | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 30 |
| U.S. Avg. | 50 |
Safety from Overall Crime (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30 | 50 |
| 2022 | 34 | 46 |
| 2021 | 30 | 45 |
| 2020 | 30 | 44 |
| 2019 | 29 | 45 |
| 2018 | 28 | 44 |
| 2017 | 28 | 42 |
Analysis of the District of Columbia's crime rates indicates that the area in terms of overall crime now compared to the pre-pandemic years, is slightly safer (+2 pts higher), still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from violent crime (unchanged), and somewhat safer now from property crime (+6 pts higher).
A study of crime rates across the U.S. reveals that concerning overall crime, the U.S. now, compared to the pre-pandemic years, is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), slightly safer now from violent crime (+4 pts higher), and somewhat safer now from property crime (+9 pts higher).
Learn more about District Of Columbia's violent crime and property crime in our detailed sections.
Violent Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is District of Columbia in 2024?
Safety Scores from Violent Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
With a low 26/100 safety score from violent crime, the District of Columbia has less-than-satisfactory safety conditions and needs enhancement.
- Overall Violent Crime (safety score): 26
- Murder (safety score): 16
- Rape (safety score): 47
- Robbery (safety score): 12
- Aggravated Assault (safety score): 29
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from violent crime, this district is much more dangerous (-22 pts lower), much more dangerous from murder (-24 pts lower), somewhat more dangerous from rape (-8 pts lower), significantly more dangerous from robbery (-46 pts lower), and more dangerous from aggravated assault (-14 pts lower).
How Does District of Columbia Rank in Violent Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Violent Crime (safety ranking): 51st
- Murder (safety ranking): 51st
- Rape (safety ranking): 34th
- Robbery (safety ranking): 51st
- Aggravated Assault (safety ranking): 46th
With crime statistics available for 50 states in America (and D.C.), the District of Columbia is ranked 51st in overall safety from violent crime, making it a significantly more dangerous district comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of violent crime, District of Columbia is ranked 51st on safety from murder, meaning it's a significantly more dangerous area for this type of crime. With respect to safety from rape, this district is positioned 34th and is a somewhat more dangerous area relative to others. Regarding safety from robbery, this district comes in at 51st place, indicating that it's a significantly more dangerous area, and for safety from aggravated assault, it's ranked 46th, making it a considerably more dangerous area.
Is Violent Crime Increasing or Decreasing in the District of Columbia?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Violent Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Violent Crime (Year-on-Year): -3 percentage points
- Murder (Year-on-Year): -5 percentage points
- Rape (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Robbery (Year-on-Year): -9 percentage points
- Aggravated Assault (Year-on-Year): no change
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from violent crime, this district in 2023 is slightly more dangerous overall (-3 pts lower), somewhat more dangerous from murder (-5 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from rape (-1 pts lower), somewhat more dangerous from robbery (-9 pts lower), and the same in terms of safety levels from aggravated assault (unchanged).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Violent Crime in the District of Columbia in 2024?
- Overall Violent Crime: Fair
- Murder: Fair
- Rape: Low
- Robbery: Possible
- Aggravated Assault: Moderate
In the District of Columbia, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is fair. Beware of:
- Murder
- Robbery
- Aggravated Assault
What Are the Violent Crime Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Violent Crime: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Violent Crime | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 26 |
| U.S. Avg. | 48 |
Safety from Violent Crime (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 | 48 |
| 2022 | 29 | 43 |
| 2021 | 25 | 41 |
| 2020 | 28 | 42 |
| 2019 | 27 | 44 |
| 2018 | 25 | 44 |
| 2017 | 25 | 43 |
Crime rate analysis across the District of Columbia shows that with regard to violent crime, the area compared to the pre-pandemic years, is still level with that period in terms of safety from violent crime (unchanged), somewhat more dangerous now from murder (-8 pts lower), safer now from rape (+15 pts higher), somewhat more dangerous now from robbery (-9 pts lower), and slightly safer now from aggravated assault (+3 pts higher).
An analysis of U.S. crime figures shows that, in terms of overall violent crime, the nation now, when compared with pre-pandemic times, is slightly safer (+4 pts higher), slightly more dangerous now from murder (-1 pts lower), somewhat safer now from rape (+9 pts higher), safer now from robbery (+11 pts higher), and still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from aggravated assault (unchanged).
What Are the Murder Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Murder: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Homicide | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 16 |
| U.S. Avg. | 40 |
Safety from Murder (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 | 40 |
| 2022 | 21 | 33 |
| 2021 | 16 | 30 |
| 2020 | 21 | 32 |
| 2019 | 23 | 41 |
| 2018 | 23 | 42 |
| 2017 | 26 | 40 |
What Are the Rape Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Rape: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Rape | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 47 |
| U.S. Avg. | 55 |
Safety from Rape (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 47 | 55 |
| 2022 | 48 | 49 |
| 2021 | 42 | 47 |
| 2020 | 45 | 51 |
| 2019 | 39 | 45 |
| 2018 | 29 | 45 |
| 2017 | 29 | 47 |
What Are the Robbery Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Robbery: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Robbery | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 12 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Robbery (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 58 |
| 2022 | 21 | 56 |
| 2021 | 20 | 56 |
| 2020 | 22 | 53 |
| 2019 | 20 | 50 |
| 2018 | 22 | 48 |
| 2017 | 20 | 43 |
What Are the Aggravated Assault Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Aggravated Assault: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Aggravated Assault | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 29 |
| U.S. Avg. | 43 |
Safety from Aggravated Assault (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 29 | 43 |
| 2022 | 29 | 41 |
| 2021 | 28 | 41 |
| 2020 | 25 | 40 |
| 2019 | 25 | 43 |
| 2018 | 26 | 44 |
| 2017 | 26 | 43 |
Property Crime: How Safe or Dangerous Is District of Columbia in 2024?
Safety Scores from Property Crime, out of 100 points (2023)
The 41/100 safety score from property crime suggests that the District of Columbia's somewhat low safety could be improved.
- Overall Property Crime (safety score): 41
- Burglary (safety score): 61
- Larceny (safety score): 20
- Auto Theft (safety score): 10
- Arson (safety score): 27
Compared to the U.S. average for safety scores from property crime, this district is more dangerous (-12 pts lower), slightly safer from burglary (+3 pts higher), considerably more dangerous from larceny (-37 pts lower), much more dangerous from auto theft (-29 pts lower), and more dangerous from arson (-18 pts lower).
How Does District of Columbia Rank in Property Crime Among U.S. States in 2023?
- Overall Property Crime (safety ranking): 43rd
- Burglary (safety ranking): 22nd
- Larceny (safety ranking): 51st
- Auto Theft (safety ranking): 51st
- Arson (safety ranking): 50th
Out of the 50 states in America (and D.C.), based on the most recent crime data, the District of Columbia is ranked 43rd in overall safety from property crime, making it a much more dangerous district comparatively speaking. In terms of individual categories of property crime, District of Columbia is ranked 22nd on safety from burglary, meaning it's a slightly safer area for this type of crime. With respect to safety from larceny, this district is positioned 51st and is a significantly more dangerous area relative to others. Regarding safety from auto theft, this district comes in at 51st place, indicating that it's a significantly more dangerous area, and for safety from arson, it's ranked 50th, making it a significantly more dangerous area.
Is Property Crime Increasing or Decreasing in the District of Columbia?
Year-on-Year Change in Safety Scores from Property Crime (2023 vs. 2022)
- Overall Property Crime (Year-on-Year): -4 percentage points
- Burglary (Year-on-Year): -1 percentage point
- Larceny (Year-on-Year): -5 percentage points
- Auto Theft (Year-on-Year): -14 percentage points
- Arson (Year-on-Year): no change
Compared to 2022 regarding safety scores from property crime, this district in 2023 is slightly more dangerous overall (-4 pts lower), slightly more dangerous from burglary (-1 pts lower), somewhat more dangerous from larceny (-5 pts lower), more dangerous from auto theft (-14 pts lower), and the same in terms of safety levels from arson (unchanged).
What Is the Likelihood of Experiencing Property Crime in the District of Columbia in 2024?
- Overall Property Crime: Moderate
- Burglary: Minor
- Larceny: Fair
- Auto Theft: Possible
- Arson: Fair
In the District of Columbia, the risk of becoming a victim of property crime is moderate. Beware of:
- Larceny
- Auto Theft
- Arson
What Are the Property Crime Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Property Crime: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Total Property Crime | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 41 |
| U.S. Avg. | 53 |
Safety from Property Crime (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41 | 53 |
| 2022 | 45 | 51 |
| 2021 | 40 | 53 |
| 2020 | 36 | 49 |
| 2019 | 35 | 48 |
| 2018 | 35 | 45 |
| 2017 | 35 | 41 |
Crime rate trends in the District of Columbia suggest that concerning property crime, the area compared to the pre-pandemic years, is somewhat safer (+6 pts higher), somewhat safer now from burglary (+6 pts higher), slightly safer now from larceny (+2 pts higher), much more dangerous now from auto theft (-22 pts lower), and still on par with the 2017-2019 period in terms of safety from arson (unchanged).
An examination of U.S. crime trends indicates that, in terms of overall property crime, the current landscape, relative to pre-pandemic times, is somewhat safer (+9 pts higher), safer now from burglary (+19 pts higher), somewhat safer now from larceny (+8 pts higher), more dangerous now from auto theft (-12 pts lower), and somewhat safer now from arson (+6 pts higher).
What Are the Burglary Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Burglary: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Burglary | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 61 |
| U.S. Avg. | 58 |
Safety from Burglary (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 61 | 58 |
| 2022 | 62 | 54 |
| 2021 | 53 | 53 |
| 2020 | 53 | 48 |
| 2019 | 55 | 44 |
| 2018 | 55 | 39 |
| 2017 | 55 | 32 |
What Are the Larceny Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Larceny: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Larceny | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 20 |
| U.S. Avg. | 57 |
Safety from Larceny (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 57 |
| 2022 | 25 | 54 |
| 2021 | 21 | 57 |
| 2020 | 26 | 54 |
| 2019 | 17 | 50 |
| 2018 | 17 | 49 |
| 2017 | 18 | 47 |
What Are the Auto Theft Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Auto Theft: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Auto Theft | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 10 |
| U.S. Avg. | 39 |
Safety from Auto Theft (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 39 |
| 2022 | 24 | 44 |
| 2021 | 23 | 48 |
| 2020 | 27 | 49 |
| 2019 | 36 | 52 |
| 2018 | 30 | 51 |
| 2017 | 30 | 50 |
What Are the Arson Trends in District of Columbia from 2017 to 2023?
Current Safety from Arson: District Score vs. U.S. Average
| Safety Scores from Arson | |
|---|---|
| D.C. | 27 |
| U.S. Avg. | 45 |
Safety from Arson (2017-2023): District Score vs. U.S. Average
| D.C. | U.S. Avg. | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 27 | 45 |
| 2022 | 27 | 40 |
| 2021 | 27 | 50 |
| 2020 | 27 | 33 |
| 2019 | 28 | 42 |
| 2018 | 27 | 39 |
| 2017 | 26 | 35 |
The assessments presented on this website, including those related to crime, safety, cost of living, and other location characteristics (e.g., states, cities, towns, villages, neighborhoods, areas, landmarks), are based on various sources and our internal research methods. These assessments are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete and should not be used as the sole basis for making any decisions.