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Crime rate in Washington, District of Columbia (DC): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map


City-Data.com crime index in Washington, DC compared to other U.S. cities

Crime rate in Washington, DC

The 2020 crime rate in Washington, DC is 463 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 1.8 times higher than the U.S. average. It was higher than in 95.9% U.S. cities. The 2020 Washington crime rate fell by 6% compared to 2019. The number of homicides stood at 198 - an increase of 32 compared to 2019. In the last 5 years Washington has seen decline of violent crime and decline of property crime.
See how dangerous Washington, DC is compared to the nearest cities:
(Note: Higher means more crime)
Washington:

462.8
Mount Rainier:

304.7
Brentwood:

193.1
Cottage City:

200.6
Colmar Manor:

348.2
Hyattsville:

308.9
Takoma Park:

249.0
Bladensburg:

268.4
Edmonston:

168.3
City-Data.com crime index
Crime rates in Washington by year

Type

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020
Murders
(per 100,000)		181
(30.8)		186
(31.4)		144
(24.0)		132
(21.9)		108
(17.5)		88
(13.9)		103
(15.9)		105
(15.9)		162
(24.1)		137
(20.1)		116
(16.7)		160
(22.8)		166
(23.5)		198
(27.8)
Rapes
(per 100,000)		192
(32.6)		186
(31.4)		150
(25.0)		184
(30.6)		172
(27.8)		236
(37.3)		393
(60.8)		470
(71.3)		494
(73.5)		527
(77.4)		443
(63.8)		445
(63.3)		342
(48.5)		307
(43.1)
Robberies
(per 100,000)		3,985
(677.4)		4,154
(701.9)		3,998
(666.7)		3,914
(650.5)		3,756
(607.8)		3,725
(589.1)		3,660
(566.2)		3,231
(490.4)		3,404
(506.4)		3,149
(462.3)		2,351
(338.8)		2,157
(307.1)		2,359
(334.3)		2,208
(309.8)
Assaults
(per 100,000)		3,566
(606.2)		3,609
(609.8)		3,295
(549.5)		3,238
(538.1)		2,949
(477.2)		3,399
(537.5)		3,724
(576.1)		4,004
(607.7)		4,024
(598.6)		3,897
(572.1)		3,674
(529.4)		3,851
(548.2)		4,029
(570.9)		4,115
(577.3)
Burglaries
(per 100,000)		3,920
(666.3)		3,781
(638.9)		3,696
(616.4)		4,224
(702.0)		3,849
(622.8)		3,519
(556.5)		3,314
(512.6)		3,463
(525.6)		2,971
(442.0)		2,360
(346.5)		1,808
(260.5)		1,786
(254.3)		1,840
(260.7)		1,963
(275.4)
Thefts
(per 100,000)		16,476
(2,801)		18,787
(3,174)		18,012
(3,004)		18,050
(3,000)		20,124
(3,256)		22,196
(3,510)		23,108
(3,575)		25,881
(3,928)		24,194
(3,599)		26,402
(3,876)		24,490
(3,529)		25,658
(3,653)		25,827
(3,660)		19,126
(2,683)
Auto thefts
(per 100,000)		7,323
(1,245)		6,191
(1,046)		5,299
(883.7)		4,864
(808.3)		4,339
(702.1)		3,549
(561.3)		3,147
(486.8)		3,683
(559.0)		3,194
(475.1)		2,899
(425.6)		2,545
(366.7)		2,549
(362.9)		2,298
(325.6)		3,370
(472.8)
Arson
(per 100,000)		63
(10.7)		51
(8.6)		55
(9.2)		49
(8.1)		61
(9.9)		50
(7.9)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)		0
(0.0)
City-Data.com crime index670.3675.9611.9604.9565.0566.2583.4596.2591.5568.6480.7490.9490.9462.8

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 254.8. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

- means the value is smaller than the state average.
- means the value is about the same as the state average.
- means the value is bigger than the state average.
- means the value is much bigger than the state average.



According to our research of District of Columbia and other state lists, there were 1,087 registered sex offenders living in Washington, District of Columbia as of September 21, 2023.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Washington is 627 to 1.
The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is near the state average.


When are crimes committed in Washington, DC?

Violent crime rate in 2020
Washington:

542.1
U.S. Average:

228.3

Violent crime rate in 2019
Washington:

548.1
U.S. Average:

219.8

Violent crime rate in 2018
Washington:

536.5
U.S. Average:

221.2

Violent crime rate in 2017
Washington:

531.4
U.S. Average:

226.3

Violent crime rate in 2016
Washington:

634.8
U.S. Average:

227.3

Violent crime rate in 2015
Washington:

674.2
U.S. Average:

219.4

Violent crime rate in 2014
Washington:

652.2
U.S. Average:

211.1

Violent crime rate in 2013
Washington:

663.8
U.S. Average:

214.3

Violent crime rate in 2012
Washington:

628.5
U.S. Average:

187.4

Violent crime rate in 2011
Washington:

605.3
U.S. Average:

187.1

Violent crime rate in 2010
Washington:

668.7
U.S. Average:

195.6

Violent crime rate in 2009
Washington:

681.1
U.S. Average:

208.9

Violent crime rate in 2008
Washington:

750.1
U.S. Average:

222.5

Violent crime rate in 2007
Washington:

735.9
U.S. Average:

229.1

Violent crime rate in 2006
Washington:

782.2
U.S. Average:

232.6

Violent crime rate in 2005
Washington:

592.5
U.S. Average:

227.1

Violent crime rate in 2004
Washington:

567.2
U.S. Average:

223.6

Violent crime rate in 2003
Washington:

674.1
U.S. Average:

230.3

Property crime rate in 2020
Washington:

260.2
U.S. Average:

169.6

Property crime rate in 2019
Washington:

284.0
U.S. Average:

179.7

Property crime rate in 2018
Washington:

287.9
U.S. Average:

190.2

Property crime rate in 2017
Washington:

283.6
U.S. Average:

206.4

Property crime rate in 2016
Washington:

326.9
U.S. Average:

216.6

Property crime rate in 2015
Washington:

339.6
U.S. Average:

221.5

Property crime rate in 2014
Washington:

385.4
U.S. Average:

230.8

Property crime rate in 2013
Washington:

354.3
U.S. Average:

250.4

Property crime rate in 2012
Washington:

371.0
U.S. Average:

267.3

Property crime rate in 2011
Washington:

392.7
U.S. Average:

273.5

Property crime rate in 2010
Washington:

411.6
U.S. Average:

276.4

Property crime rate in 2009
Washington:

406.0
U.S. Average:

285.6

Property crime rate in 2008
Washington:

443.4
U.S. Average:

302.2

Property crime rate in 2007
Washington:

460.0
U.S. Average:

309.2

Property crime rate in 2006
Washington:

443.7
U.S. Average:

317.3

Property crime rate in 2005
Washington:

355.9
U.S. Average:

322.3

Property crime rate in 2004
Washington:

375.4
U.S. Average:

327.4

Property crime rate in 2003
Washington:

442.4
U.S. Average:

334.1
Murders per 100,000 population
Rapes per 100,000 population
Robberies per 100,000 population
Assaults per 100,000 population
Burglaries per 100,000 population
Thefts per 100,000 population
Auto thefts per 100,000 population
Arson per 100,000 population

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2021, including police officers: 4,179 (3,575 officers - 2,753 male; 822 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

5.34
District of Columbia average:

6.01

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2020, including police officers: 4,466 (3,766 officers - 2,918 male; 848 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

5.28
District of Columbia average:

5.87

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2019, including police officers: 4,524 (3,809 officers - 2,952 male; 857 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

5.40
District of Columbia average:

5.99

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2018, including police officers: 4,520 (3,841 officers - 2,997 male; 844 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

5.47
District of Columbia average:

6.25

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2017, including police officers: 4,473 (3,836 officers - 2,993 male; 843 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

5.53
District of Columbia average:

6.09

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2016, including police officers: 4,352 (3,753 officers - 2,958 male; 795 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

5.51
District of Columbia average:

6.13

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2015, including police officers: 4,487 (3,826 officers - 3,004 male; 822 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

5.69
District of Columbia average:

6.34

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2014, including police officers: 4,368 (3,935 officers - 3,062 male; 873 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

5.97
District of Columbia average:

6.88

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2013, including police officers: 4,403 (3,976 officers - 3,089 male; 887 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.15
District of Columbia average:

7.08

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2012, including police officers: 4,332 (3,867 officers - 2,980 male; 887 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.12
District of Columbia average:

6.82

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2011, including police officers: 4,299 (3,818 officers - 2,942 male; 876 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.18
District of Columbia average:

6.88

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2010, including police officers: 4,477 (3,945 officers - 3,046 male; 899 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.56
District of Columbia average:

6.56

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2009, including police officers: 4,613 (4,052 officers - 3,140 male; 912 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.76
District of Columbia average:

7.46

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2008, including police officers: 4,637 (4,030 officers - 3,102 male; 928 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.81
District of Columbia average:

7.53

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2007, including police officers: 4,494 (3,907 officers - 2,995 male; 912 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.64
District of Columbia average:

7.27

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2006, including police officers: 4,342 (3,799 officers - 2,905 male; 894 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.53
District of Columbia average:

7.18

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2005, including police officers: 4,278 (3,757 officers - 2,871 male; 886 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.82
District of Columbia average:

7.51

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2004, including police officers: 4,372 (3,787 officers - 2,884 male; 903 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.84
District of Columbia average:

7.48

Full-time law enforcement employees in 2003, including police officers: 4,182 (3,515 officers - 2,674 male; 841 female).
Officers per 1,000 residents here:

6.24
District of Columbia average:

6.89

Full-time Law Enforcement Employees in Washington, DC
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees - Officers
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees - Civilians

Zip codes: 20001, 20002, 20003, 20004, 20005, 20006, 20007, 20008, 20009, 20010, 20011, 20012, 20015, 20016, 20017, 20018, 20019, 20020, 20024, 20032, 20036, 20037, 20045, 20052, 20053, 20057, 20064, 20202, 20204, 20228, 20230, 20240, 20245, 20260, 20307, 20317, 20319, 20373, 20390, 20405, 20418, 20427, 20506, 20510, 20520, 20535, 20540, 20551, 20553, 20560, 20565, 20566, 20593.

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