Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in New York
New York State boasts a rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and vibrant communities, but like any other place, it has areas with higher crime rates. In this updated list of the 10 most dangerous places in New York, we consider both violent and property crimes, providing you with an overview of the safety landscape in these cities. Please note that crime statistics can change over time, and this list is based on data available until September 2021.
1. Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo, often overshadowed by New York City, remains one of the most dangerous places in New York in terms of crime rates per person. In 2021, Buffalo had 14,035 reported crimes among its population of approximately 252,800 residents. This includes 3,249 violent crimes, with 47 being murders. While the city's crime rate has fluctuated over the years, it still ranks high in terms of crimes per person, particularly violent crimes.
2. Rochester
Rochester, NY
Rochester continues to struggle with crime, particularly in the violent crime category. In 2021, it reported 2,107 violent crimes, including 42 murders, among its population. Additionally, there were 10,051 property crimes, making it one of the cities with the highest overall crime rates in New York.
3. Syracuse
Syracuse, NY
Despite its cultural and educational institutions, Syracuse grapples with a high crime rate. In 2021, it recorded a total of 7,665 crimes, comprising 6,473 property crimes and 1,192 violent crimes, including 21 murders. This gives residents a 1 in 19 chance of being a victim of a crime.
4. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, NY
Niagara Falls reported 3,391 crimes in 2021, making it one of the top cities with a high crime rate in New York. While its murder rate is lower compared to some other cities, it has a significant number of violent crimes (584) and property crimes (2,807) per capita.
5. Schenectady
Schenectady, NY
Schenectady, located in Eastern New York, ranks among the top 10 most dangerous places in the state primarily due to its high number of violent crimes per person. In 2021, it reported 607 violent crimes, including eight murders, 31 rapes, 203 robberies, and 365 aggravated assaults. Additionally, the city had 2,800 property crimes, giving it the eighth-highest overall crime rate.
6. Newburgh
Newburgh, NY
Newburgh had the highest number of violent crimes per person among the cities in our analysis in 2021, with a total of 435, including five murders. Additionally, there were 1,040 property crimes, giving it the seventh-highest overall crime rate.
7. Johnson City
Johnson City, NY
The Village of Johnson City reported 69 violent crimes in 2021, making it one of the cities with a relatively high rate of violent crime per person. However, its property crime rate, with 949 incidents, was the highest among the cities analyzed, resulting in the highest overall crime rate per capita.
8. Binghamton
Binghamton, NY
Binghamton ranks among the top 10 most dangerous places in New York, primarily due to its high number of property crimes per person. In 2021, it reported 2,349 property crimes, including 1,767 thefts, 525 burglaries, and 57 vehicle thefts. Additionally, the city had 284 violent crimes, including three murders.
9. Albany
Albany, NY
In 2021, Albany reported a total of 4,881 crimes, including 791 violent crimes with eight murders and 4,090 property crimes. With a population of just under 98,000, this gave Albany the 10th highest number of crimes per person in our analysis.
10. Utica
Utica, NY
Utica rounds out our list with a relatively high number of crimes across the board in 2021. It reported a total of 2,889 crimes, including 361 violent crimes (including seven murders) and 2,528 property crimes (including 1,997 thefts, 449 burglaries, and 82 vehicle thefts). With a population of 61,686, Utica had the 14th highest number of crimes per person among the cities analyzed.