Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, District of Columbia has a total crime rate of 4,514 per 100,000 residents — 64% above the national average — ranking #48 of 50 US states (safest first), in the highest-crime quartile. Its safest reporting city is Washington Metropolitan.
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Total Crime Rate
District of Columbia Crime Overview
In 2024, District of Columbia reported a total crime rate of 4,513.9 per 100,000 residents — 64% above the national average of 2,752.3. This ranks District of Columbia #48 out of 50 states (safest first).
The most elevated crime category in District of Columbia is robbery at 4.7x the national rate.
Compared to the previous year, District of Columbia's crime rate decreased by 13.3%, with violent crime down 11.6%.
For residents, travelers, and those considering a move to District of Columbia, these statistics provide a data-driven baseline. Browse the city-level table below to find specific communities, or see how District of Columbia compares to its neighboring states. For the full list of safe and high-crime areas, visit safest cities in District of Columbia or most dangerous cities in District of Columbia.
Crime Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 6,502 | 925.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 179 | 25.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 239 | 34.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 3,080 | 438.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 3,004 | 427.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 25,197 | 3,588.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 1,671 | 238.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 18,220 | 2,594.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5,306 | 755.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Understanding District of Columbia's Crime Profile
Of District of Columbia's total crime rate, 20.5% is violent crime and 79.5% is property crime. Nationally, violent crime makes up 17.2% of all crime, meaning District of Columbia has a higher-than-average share of violent offenses.
District of Columbia's murder rate is 25.5 per 100K, which is 4.1x the national rate of 6.2. Murder is the least common but most serious violent crime, and even small differences in rate can reflect meaningful differences in public safety.
These statistics are compiled from 1 cities across the state that report to the FBI's UCR program. Coverage varies by state — so these numbers represent the best available estimate, not a perfect census. For details, see our methodology page.
Property crime accounts for the bulk of District of Columbia's total rate at 3,588 per 100K. This includes burglary, larceny-theft (the most common crime nationwide), motor vehicle theft, and arson. While property crime is less immediately dangerous than violent crime, high rates can affect quality of life, insurance costs, and economic investment in affected areas.
Cities in District of Columbia by Crime Rate
Cities ranked from safest to most dangerous (10,000+ residents).
| # | City | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Metropolitan | 702,250 | 4,513.9 | 925.9 | 6/100 |
District of Columbia Crime Rate Trends
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 702,250 | 4,513.9 | 925.9 | 3,588.0 |
| 2023 | 678,972 | 5,205.1 | 1,047.5 | 4,157.6 |
| 2022 | 671,803 | 4,246.8 | 748.0 | 3,498.8 |
| 2021 | 670,050 | 2,074.5 | 371.5 | 1,703.0 |
| 2020 | 712,816 | 4,389.2 | 957.9 | 3,431.3 |
| 2019 | 705,749 | 5,223.0 | 977.1 | 4,245.8 |
District of Columbia Crime Trends: 6-Year Analysis
Over the 6-year period from 2019 to 2024, District of Columbia's total crime rate decreased by 13.6%, moving from 5,223 to 4,514 per 100,000 residents. This long-term trajectory provides important context beyond any single year's snapshot.
In the most recent year-over-year comparison, District of Columbia's crime rate decreased by 13.3%, with violent crime specifically declining 11.6%. Short-term changes don't always indicate a lasting trend, but consecutive years of movement in the same direction are worth noting.
Many factors can influence year-over-year changes, including shifts in policing strategies, economic conditions, population growth, and changes in how agencies report data to the FBI. For the most reliable picture, focus on the multi-year trend rather than any single year's change.
District of Columbia vs Neighboring States
How does District of Columbia's crime rate compare to its neighbors?
| State | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | vs District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 4,513.9 | 925.9 | 3,588.0 | — |
| Virginia | 2,725.5 | 338.9 | 2,386.6 | -39.6% |
| Maryland | 4,163.0 | 985.4 | 3,177.6 | -7.8% |
Among neighboring states, Virginia has the lowest crime rate (2,725 per 100K). Maryland has the highest (4,163 per 100K).
District of Columbia in Regional Context
District of Columbia is safer than 0 of its 2 neighboring states based on total crime rate. Nationally, it ranks #48 out of 50 states (ranked safest first), placing it in the highest-crime quartile of all US states.
Regional comparisons are valuable because neighboring states often share economic conditions, climate, and demographic patterns. If District of Columbia differs significantly from its neighbors, it may point to state-specific factors such as policing policy, drug legislation, or economic programs. Visit individual state pages above for detailed comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is District of Columbia's crime rate?
District of Columbia's total crime rate in 2024 is 4,513.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 64% above the national average of 2,752. This includes both violent crime (925.9 per 100K) and property crime (3,588.0 per 100K).
How safe is District of Columbia compared to other states?
District of Columbia ranks #48 out of 50 states (safest first), placing it in the highest-crime quartile nationally. Visit our all states page for the complete ranking.
What is the safest city in District of Columbia?
The safest city in District of Columbia is Washington Metropolitan with a crime rate of 4,514 per 100,000 residents. View the full list at safest cities in District of Columbia.
More District of Columbia Crime Data
Dive deeper into District of Columbia's crime statistics with our specialized ranking pages, or compare District of Columbia cities against cities in other states using our comparison tool.