Washington DC Crime Rate 👮‍♂️ [2025] | Is Washington DC Safe?
If you’re planning a stress-free move to the nation’s capital, you might be wondering: Is Washington DC safe? Like many major U.S. cities, the District of Columbia has seen shifts in crime patterns over the years, making it important to understand the current Washington DC crime rate before relocating.
Whether you’re concerned about violent crime, property crime, or overall crime trends, this guide will break down what you need to know. While some neighborhoods are thriving and family-friendly, others experience higher crime rates, which may raise the question: How dangerous is Washington DC? Understanding the crime rate in DC can help you make informed decisions and choose the right neighborhood for your lifestyle and peace of mind.
Understanding the DC Crime Rate - How Are Crime Rates Calculated?
Before taking a look at the Washington DC crime rate, it is essential to understand how the overall crime rate is calculated in the first place. The Washington DC crime rate is reported by the FBI based on crime data that is provided to them by law enforcement. Once this data is analyzed, it’s reported with an overall crime rate, violent crime rate, and property crime rate. The Crime Index is calculated based on seven offenses: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.
In order to get these crime rates for the District of Columbia, the FBI will take a look at the total number of crimes committed in an area and then divide it by the population. Then, the numbers are divided by 1,000 and reported as “X number of crimes per 100,000 people.”
While the Washington DC crime rate is a good way to analyze the overall crime in DC, the FBI warns against using crime rates as your only source of information. Crime rates do not differentiate between neighborhoods, meaning one dangerous neighborhood or street can bring up the overall crime rate for the entire city.
Additionally, according to CNN, crime statistics lack context. For example, it may seem like homicide rates are very high, however, they are lower than when the homicide rates were at their highest in the 1980s and 1990s, so rates are actually decreasing over time.
It’s also important to recognize that crime reporting is entirely voluntary, meaning that law enforcement is not required to give crime data. This can result in some cities appearing to be safer than others, when, in reality, they just haven’t reported all of their crime data. This can lead to an incorrect property crime rate, violent crime rate, and overall crime rate.
What Is the Washington DC Crime Rate?
Is Washington DC safe? The best way to analyze the level of crime in the District of Columbia is to take a look at the overall crime rate, the property crime rate, and the violent crime rate. You can then use this number to see whether or not DC has higher rates than other states. Here’s an overview of the Washington DC crime rate as well as the national overall crime rate.
National Crime Rate:
- Overall crime rate: 2,324 crimes per 100,000 people
- Violent crime rate: 370 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 1,954 property crimes per 100,000 people
Washington DC Crime Rate:
- Overall crime rate: 4,229 crimes per 100,000 people
- Violent crime rate: 745 crimes per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 3,484 crimes per 100,000 people
As you can see, Washington DC experiences higher crime rates than the national averages. Although the Washington DC crime rate is on the higher end, it is important to remember that Washington DC encompasses a huge area and has a population of 671,803, so crime rates will naturally be a bit higher.
Additionally, crime in the area is on the decline. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, overall crime in DC is down 6% from 2024 to 2025.
Washington DC Crime Map & Crime Reports
While the Washington DC crime rate is great to know, using a DC crime rate map is a wonderful way to visualize crime data in the area. Over on the Metropolitan Police Department’s website, you’ll find an interactive crime map. Here, you can see crimes in real-time, and offenses are even split into property crime and violent crime. You can also see specific offenses such as motor vehicle theft, burglary, robbery, assault, and more.
The map also shows where the Washington DC crime rate is at its highest. As you can see from the map, most of the crime is concentrated in the city center, while sections outside of this area see little to no crime at all.
You can also check out the DC crime report map from Arcgis for real-time updates on crimes in the area.
Violent Crime in DC
Are you curious about the violent crime rate in Washington DC? Examples of violent crime include murder, shootings, homicides, battery, rape, aggravated assault, and kidnapping.
Washington DC Violent Crime Rate:
- Overall violent crime rate: 745 crimes per 100,000 people (101.5% higher than the national average)
- Washington DC murder rate: 29 per 100,000 people
- Washington DC murders by year (2022): 197
- Chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Washington DC: 1 in 134
Violent crime in Washington DC is higher than the national average. However, according to the United State’s Attorney’s Office, violent crime in Washington DC is at a 30-year low, with an overall violent crime reduction of 32% from 2023 to 2024. This was one of the highest declines in the entire country. And in 2025, this trend is continuing. As of June 2025, Violent crime is down 22% compared to 2024.
Property Crime in DC
What about property crime in Washington DC? Property crime includes offenses like burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, vandalism, shoplifting, and carjacking.
Washington DC Property Crime Rate:
- Overall property crime rate: 3,484 crimes per 100,000 people (78.3% higher than national average)
- Total property crimes in Washington DC (2022): 23,408
- Chance of becoming a victim of property crime in DC: 1 in 29
While property crime in DC is higher than the national average, it’s seeing a similar downward decline. According to CAP, property crime lowered 11% from 2023 to 2024, with carjackings going down nearly 50%. From 2024 to June 2025, property crime is down 4%, with burglary, theft from auto, and theft (other), all trending downward. Motor vehicle theft, however, is up 3%.
Areas to Avoid in Washington DC
Now that you know all about the Washington DC crime rate, it’s important to understand Washington DC areas to avoid. There are a few bad areas in Washington DC that you will want to take extra precautions in. Let’s dive into the DC crime statistics by neighborhood and explore some of the dangerous areas of Washington DC.
Deanwood
- Population: 29,798
- Crime rate: 175% higher than the Washington DC crime rate
- Major issues: As one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Washington DC, this area sees an influx of gang activity, especially after dark.
Brentwood
- Population: 28,660
- Crime rate: 77% higher than the Washington DC crime rate
- Major issues: Residents often list this as one of the Washington DC bad areas, and report a high rate of property crime.
Anacostia
- Population: 17,488
- Crime rate: 74% higher than the Washington DC crime rate
- Major issues: Anacostia is generally safe during the day, but after dark there is an increase in gang activity and violent crime.
U Street Corridor
- Population: 10,104
- Crime rate: 48% higher than the Washington DC crime rate
- Major issues: The nightlife in this area increases the risk of crime after dark.
Safest Neighborhoods in Washington DC
Is Washington DC safe in some areas? Although the Washington DC crime rate is generally high, there are several places with little to no crime at all. These are a few neighborhoods where residents report feeling safe and secure.
Au-Tenleytown
- Population: 18,855
- Crime rate: 78% lower than the Washington DC crime rate
Glover Park
- Population: 12,937
- Crime rate: 77% lower than the Washington DC crime rate
Barnaby Woods
- Population: 9,436
- Crime rate: 75% lower than the Washington DC crime rate
The Palisades
- Population: 3,598
- Crime rate: 66% lower than the Washington DC crime rate
Washington DC Safety Tips - How to Avoid Crime in Washington DC
With the high Washington DC crime rate, it’s important to make sure you are taking the proper steps to keep yourself and your belongings safe. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid crime in Washington DC.
- Make sure your doors and windows are locked when you are not home
- Increase lighting around your home
- Be aware of your surroundings on public transportation
- Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle
- Keep contact information for local law enforcement
- Walk in groups when you can
- Park in secure, populated areas
- Avoid flashy displays of wealth like expensive bags or jewelry
- Don’t share personal information with unfamiliar people
Washington DC Police Department
The Metropolitan Police Department works hard to keep the Washington DC crime rate on a downward trend. The MPD has been serving the area for over 150 years and was established in the 1860s with the support of President Abraham Lincoln. Today, the MPD includes more than 3,400 sworn officers and over 600 civilian employees.
The current police chief is Pamela A. Smith, who has over 27 years of law enforcement experience.
Because the Metropolitan Police Department is such a large organization, it’s important to find which district you are located in and have their contact information on hand. You can view all of the different districts, tip lines, hotlines, and other important numbers on the MPD website.
Washington DC Crime Rate FAQs
Is Washington DC Safe?
Yes, Washington DC is safe. Despite the high Washington DC crime rate, several areas of DC remain incredibly safe and family-friendly.
Is Downtown DC Safe?
Yes, Downtown DC is safe. It is just important to take extra precautions in this area, especially after dark.
What Is the Washington DC Crime Rate?
The Washington DC crime rate is 2,324 crimes per 100,000 people.
Is Washington DC a Safe Place to Live for Families?
Yes, Washington DC is a safe place to live for families and contains many family-friendly neighborhoods and attractions.
What Is the DC Murder Rate?
The DC murder rate is 29 per 100,000 people.
Let Express Moving & Storage Help You With Your Move!
So, is Washington DC safe? Despite the higher-than-average Washington DC crime rate, Washington DC is a very safe place to live. Once you’ve decided on a move to the nation’s capital, it’s time to get started choosing a moving company.Â
The team at Express Moving & Storage knows the DC area like the back of our hands, and we are ready to make your move a great one. Our Washington DC movers can help with anything from secure storage solutions to top-rated packing services. Give us a call today at (571) 332-9682 to get started with a free quote.
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