Crime in South Bend, Indiana

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2019. In South Bend, however, property crimes account for only about 76% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a smaller than average share of total offenses, property crime is much more prevalent in South Bend than it is nationwide. There were 4,296 property crimes in South Bend in 2019, or 4,214 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,110 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in South Bend. There were 2,868 larcenies reported in South Bend in 2019, or 2,813 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,550 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 867 break-ins reported in South Bend in 2019, or 851 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 341 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2019.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 220 for every 100,000 people. In South Bend, meanwhile, there were 561 motor vehicle thefts in 2019, or 550 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the nearly 8.2 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2019. In South Bend, however, violent offenses account for a larger 24% share of all reported crime.

At 1,331 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in South Bend is well above the national violent crime rate of 379 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in South Bend reported a total of 1,357 violent crimes in 2019.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in South Bend. There were 1,020 aggravated assaults reported in South Bend in 2019, or 1,001 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is far lower, standing at 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 267 robberies reported in South Bend in 2019, a rate of 262 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 82 per 100,000 in 2019.

Rape

There were 56 rapes reported in South Bend in 2019, or 55 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,815 rapes in 2019, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There were 14 homicides committed in the city in 2019. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in South Bend is 13.7 murders for every 100,000 people, more than double the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.