Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Waterbury, CT has a Safety Score of 16/100 — higher crime than 84% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,241.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,505 of 2,971 US cities and #79 of 83 in Connecticut.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Waterbury, Connecticut Safe?
Waterbury, once a brass manufacturing hub, is a city in New Haven County. Situated on the Naugatuck River, it's home to a diverse population and distinct neighborhoods.
Waterbury has a safety score of 16/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,241.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Waterbury ranks #79 out of 83 cities in Connecticut and #2505 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 16th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 84% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Waterbury is motor vehicle theft, at 634.5 per 100K — 1.8x the national average. Conversely, aggravated assault is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Waterbury's total crime rate decreased by 6.4%, with violent crime declining 20%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Waterbury Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 372 | 322.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 8 | 6.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 51 | 44.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 121 | 104.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 192 | 166.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,367 | 2,918.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 265 | 229.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,370 | 2,054.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 732 | 634.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Waterbury vs Connecticut Average
How does Waterbury's crime rate compare to the Connecticut state average?
| Metric | Waterbury | Connecticut Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 322.5 | 159.2 | +102.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,918.6 | 1,586.4 | +84.0% |
| Murder Rate | 6.9 | 2.7 | +154.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,241.1 | 1,745.6 | +85.7% |
Waterbury Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Waterbury, Connecticut.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 115,363 | 3,241.1 | 322.5 | 2,918.6 |
| 2023 | 115,380 | 3,463.3 | 403.0 | 3,060.3 |
| 2022 | 113,464 | 3,277.7 | 398.4 | 2,879.3 |
| 2021 | 106,480 | 3,478.6 | 345.6 | 3,133.0 |
| 2020 | 107,263 | 3,038.3 | 382.2 | 2,656.1 |
| 2019 | 107,812 | 3,328.9 | 302.4 | 3,026.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waterbury, Connecticut safe?
Waterbury has a safety score of 16/100, meaning it has less crime than about 16% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,241.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Waterbury is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Waterbury, Connecticut?
According to FBI data for 2024, Waterbury has a violent crime rate of 322.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,918.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Waterbury compare to the national average?
Waterbury's total crime rate of 3,241.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 115,363 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Waterbury?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Waterbury include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Waterbury safe to visit?
Like any city, Waterbury has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 16/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.