A burglary happens in the United States every 30 seconds, according to the FBI’s most recent crime statistics. That means that more than 3,000 burglaries are carried out each day.
While the number may seem high, the FBI’s statistics for 2019 (the most recent available) indicate a decrease in the burglary rate. In 2018, burglaries occurred about every 26 seconds.
The FBI defines burglary as “the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft.” It is the second most prevalent property crime, behind larceny or theft. And FBI data shows that burglary is more likely to happen in the daytime than at night.
Your chances of being a burglary victim vary by location. The highest rate of burglaries for 2019 was in Vallejo, Calif., followed by Hot Springs, Ark. Alexandria, La.; Lake Charles, La.; and Jonesboro, Ark., round out the top five.
California and Ohio are the states with the most municipalities on the list of the 50 places with the highest burglary risk, with six each. Arkansas and Oklahoma had five apiece. Louisiana and South Carolina had four each. (These are the American cities with the most property crime in every state.)
Click here to see the American cities with the most burglaries.
To determine the cities with the most burglaries, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed property crime data from the FBI’s 2019 Uniform Crime Report. We ranked cities based on the number of property crimes reported per 100,000 residents. We considered all cities, towns, villages, and Census designated places home to at least 20,000 people in our analysis. Alabama and Hawaii did not have sufficient crime data at the city level and were excluded from our analysis. Data on poverty rate came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and are five-year averages for 2019.
50. Lawton, Oklahoma
> Burglaries in 2019: 951 per 100,000 people (total: 877)
> Share of total Burglaries in Oklahoma: 3.3% of 21,514
> Poverty rate in 2019: 18.5% — #386 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $47,779 — #1,285 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.9% — #450 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad]
49. Duncan, Oklahoma
> Burglaries in 2019: 960 per 100,000 people (total: 214)
> Share of total Burglaries in Oklahoma: 0.8% of 21,514
> Poverty rate in 2019: 16.1% — #523 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $44,404 — #1,391 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: Not applicable
48. Monroe, North Carolina
> Burglaries in 2019: 963 per 100,000 people (total: 343)
> Share of total Burglaries in North Carolina: 0.6% of 25,479
> Poverty rate in 2019: 17.9% — #417 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $51,754 — #1,149 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.8% — #484 out of 1,892 cities
47. Searcy, Arkansas
> Burglaries in 2019: 963 per 100,000 people (total: 230)
> Share of total Burglaries in Arkansas: 1.3% of 11,611
> Poverty rate in 2019: 20.0% — #310 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $41,014 — #1,487 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: Not applicable
[in-text-ad-2]
46. Muskogee, Oklahoma
> Burglaries in 2019: 966 per 100,000 people (total: 359)
> Share of total Burglaries in Oklahoma: 1.4% of 21,514
> Poverty rate in 2019: 24.6% — #149 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $38,194 — #1,550 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.7% — #523 out of 1,892 cities
45. Albany, Georgia
> Burglaries in 2019: 972 per 100,000 people (total: 729)
> Share of total Burglaries in Georgia: 1.8% of 4,521
> Poverty rate in 2019: 30.8% — #44 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $36,615 — #1,575 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.9% — #207 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad]
44. Burlington, North Carolina
> Burglaries in 2019: 987 per 100,000 people (total: 534)
> Share of total Burglaries in North Carolina: 1.0% of 25,479
> Poverty rate in 2019: 20.3% — #300 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $43,225 — #1,430 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.9% — #450 out of 1,892 cities
43. Jacksonville, Arkansas
> Burglaries in 2019: 994 per 100,000 people (total: 281)
> Share of total Burglaries in Arkansas: 1.6% of 11,611
> Poverty rate in 2019: 19.2% — #346 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $48,727 — #1,248 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.4% — #292 out of 1,892 cities
42. South Salt Lake, Utah
> Burglaries in 2019: 996 per 100,000 people (total: 255)
> Share of total Burglaries in Utah: 2.9% of 6,588
> Poverty rate in 2019: 18.7% — #376 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $47,813 — #1,284 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 2.9% — #1,018 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
41. Huntington, West Virginia
> Burglaries in 2019: 998 per 100,000 people (total: 456)
> Share of total Burglaries in West Virginia: 7.7% of 689
> Poverty rate in 2019: 32.3% — #32 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $31,162 — #1,624 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.5% — #273 out of 1,892 cities
40. El Mirage, Arizona
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,000 per 100,000 people (total: 362)
> Share of total Burglaries in Arizona: 1.3% of 22,555
> Poverty rate in 2019: 15.3% — #577 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $58,216 — #949 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.4% — #292 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad]
39. Bakersfield, California
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,002 per 100,000 people (total: 3,888)
> Share of total Burglaries in California: 2.5% of 121,489
> Poverty rate in 2019: 17.4% — #443 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $63,139 — #813 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.3% — #135 out of 1,892 cities
38. Sumter, South Carolina
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,004 per 100,000 people (total: 397)
> Share of total Burglaries in South Carolina: 1.4% of 8,711
> Poverty rate in 2019: 19.2% — #346 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $40,662 — #1,498 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.5% — #622 out of 1,892 cities
37. St. Louis, Missouri
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,013 per 100,000 people (total: 3,044)
> Share of total Burglaries in Missouri: 11.5% of 15,943
> Poverty rate in 2019: 21.8% — #246 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $43,896 — #1,410 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.9% — #450 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
36. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,023 per 100,000 people (total: 2,258)
> Share of total Burglaries in Louisiana: 8.4% of 14,372
> Poverty rate in 2019: 24.8% — #145 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $44,470 — #1,389 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.8% — #225 out of 1,892 cities
35. Palm Springs, California
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,028 per 100,000 people (total: 502)
> Share of total Burglaries in California: 0.3% of 121,489
> Poverty rate in 2019: 17.3% — #448 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $53,441 — #1,088 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.8% — #484 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad]
34. Detroit, Michigan
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,028 per 100,000 people (total: 6,820)
> Share of total Burglaries in Michigan: 23.9% of 21,424
> Poverty rate in 2019: 35.0% — #18 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $30,894 — #1,627 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 8.8% — #15 out of 1,892 cities
24/7 Wall St.
33. Joplin, Missouri
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,029 per 100,000 people (total: 521)
> Share of total Burglaries in Missouri: 2.0% of 15,943
> Poverty rate in 2019: 18.2% — #401 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $45,449 — #1,364 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.1% — #858 out of 1,892 cities
32. Florence, South Carolina
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,031 per 100,000 people (total: 388)
> Share of total Burglaries in South Carolina: 1.4% of 8,711
> Poverty rate in 2019: 19.1% — #353 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $49,525 — #1,222 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 2.8% — #1,093 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
31. Panama City, Florida
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,032 per 100,000 people (total: 384)
> Share of total Burglaries in Florida: 0.6% of 35,715
> Poverty rate in 2019: 21.6% — #258 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $43,953 — #1,409 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.2% — #338 out of 1,892 cities
30. Desert Hot Springs, California
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,034 per 100,000 people (total: 301)
> Share of total Burglaries in California: 0.2% of 121,489
> Poverty rate in 2019: 31.1% — #40 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $33,046 — #1,608 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.6% — #95 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad]
29. Central Marin, California
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,035 per 100,000 people (total: 360)
> Share of total Burglaries in California: 0.2% of 121,489
> Poverty rate in 2019: Not applicable
> Median household income in 2019: Not applicable
> Unemployment rate in 2019: Not applicable
24/7 Wall St.
28. Des Moines, Iowa
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,046 per 100,000 people (total: 2,284)
> Share of total Burglaries in Iowa: 19.5% of 8,559
> Poverty rate in 2019: 16.1% — #523 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $53,525 — #1,084 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.4% — #666 out of 1,892 cities
27. Lima, Ohio
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,069 per 100,000 people (total: 392)
> Share of total Burglaries in Ohio: 0.9% of 32,521
> Poverty rate in 2019: 24.3% — #164 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $35,799 — #1,586 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.0% — #191 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
26. Bridgeton, New Jersey
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,073 per 100,000 people (total: 261)
> Share of total Burglaries in New Jersey: 1.6% of 15,854
> Poverty rate in 2019: 31.2% — #39 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $37,804 — #1,556 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 6.4% — #54 out of 1,892 cities
25. Greenwood, South Carolina
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,084 per 100,000 people (total: 254)
> Share of total Burglaries in South Carolina: 0.9% of 8,711
> Poverty rate in 2019: 30.3% — #53 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $33,699 — #1,604 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: Not applicable
[in-text-ad]
24. Shawnee, Oklahoma
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,091 per 100,000 people (total: 345)
> Share of total Burglaries in Oklahoma: 1.3% of 21,514
> Poverty rate in 2019: 20.5% — #289 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $40,473 — #1,504 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.7% — #523 out of 1,892 cities
24/7 Wall St.
23. Dayton, Ohio
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,092 per 100,000 people (total: 1,533)
> Share of total Burglaries in Ohio: 3.5% of 32,521
> Poverty rate in 2019: 30.6% — #49 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $32,540 — #1,613 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.1% — #165 out of 1,892 cities
22. Jackson, Mississippi
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,106 per 100,000 people (total: 1,806)
> Share of total Burglaries in Mississippi: 9.7% of 5,553
> Poverty rate in 2019: 25.4% — #133 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $38,888 — #1,539 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.4% — #125 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Danville, Illinois
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,113 per 100,000 people (total: 341)
> Share of total Burglaries in Illinois: 1.0% of 27,703
> Poverty rate in 2019: 29.4% — #66 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $36,172 — #1,584 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.6% — #95 out of 1,892 cities
20. Goldsboro, North Carolina
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,115 per 100,000 people (total: 380)
> Share of total Burglaries in North Carolina: 0.7% of 25,479
> Poverty rate in 2019: 26.1% — #122 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $34,083 — #1,602 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.5% — #103 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad]
19. Cleveland, Ohio
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,129 per 100,000 people (total: 4,311)
> Share of total Burglaries in Ohio: 9.8% of 32,521
> Poverty rate in 2019: 32.7% — #28 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $30,907 — #1,626 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.2% — #150 out of 1,892 cities
18. Warren, Ohio
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,134 per 100,000 people (total: 431)
> Share of total Burglaries in Ohio: 1.0% of 32,521
> Poverty rate in 2019: 35.0% — #18 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $28,898 — #1,635 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 7.1% — #35 out of 1,892 cities
17. Gallup, New Mexico
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,140 per 100,000 people (total: 250)
> Share of total Burglaries in New Mexico: 1.7% of 3,213
> Poverty rate in 2019: 28.4% — #81 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $48,065 — #1,274 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: Not applicable
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Spartanburg, South Carolina
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,165 per 100,000 people (total: 440)
> Share of total Burglaries in South Carolina: 1.6% of 8,711
> Poverty rate in 2019: 23.3% — #199 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $40,053 — #1,515 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.0% — #931 out of 1,892 cities
15. Barstow, California
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,182 per 100,000 people (total: 285)
> Share of total Burglaries in California: 0.2% of 121,489
> Poverty rate in 2019: 35.3% — #16 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $40,633 — #1,500 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: Not applicable
[in-text-ad]
14. Meridian, Mississippi
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,196 per 100,000 people (total: 441)
> Share of total Burglaries in Mississippi: 2.4% of 5,553
> Poverty rate in 2019: 27.1% — #96 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $32,422 — #1,615 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.8% — #84 out of 1,892 cities
13. Memphis, Tennessee
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,204 per 100,000 people (total: 7,833)
> Share of total Burglaries in Tennessee: 26.2% of 21,236
> Poverty rate in 2019: 25.1% — #139 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $41,228 — #1,484 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.4% — #292 out of 1,892 cities
12. Tulsa, Oklahoma
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,206 per 100,000 people (total: 4,846)
> Share of total Burglaries in Oklahoma: 18.2% of 21,514
> Poverty rate in 2019: 19.4% — #335 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $47,650 — #1,290 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 3.4% — #666 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Springfield, Missouri
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,222 per 100,000 people (total: 2,068)
> Share of total Burglaries in Missouri: 7.8% of 15,943
> Poverty rate in 2019: 22.9% — #217 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $36,856 — #1,572 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 2.8% — #1,093 out of 1,892 cities
10. Springfield, Ohio
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,290 per 100,000 people (total: 763)
> Share of total Burglaries in Ohio: 1.7% of 32,521
> Poverty rate in 2019: 23.1% — #206 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $39,332 — #1,531 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.7% — #239 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad]
9. Monroe, Louisiana
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,305 per 100,000 people (total: 623)
> Share of total Burglaries in Louisiana: 2.3% of 14,372
> Poverty rate in 2019: 36.8% — #14 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $30,438 — #1,628 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 6.4% — #54 out of 1,892 cities
8. Biloxi, Mississippi
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,340 per 100,000 people (total: 619)
> Share of total Burglaries in Mississippi: 3.3% of 5,553
> Poverty rate in 2019: 19.4% — #335 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $48,137 — #1,267 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.1% — #165 out of 1,892 cities
7. Canton, Ohio
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,372 per 100,000 people (total: 962)
> Share of total Burglaries in Ohio: 2.2% of 32,521
> Poverty rate in 2019: 30.8% — #44 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $32,287 — #1,618 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.2% — #150 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
6. West Memphis, Arkansas
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,375 per 100,000 people (total: 336)
> Share of total Burglaries in Arkansas: 1.9% of 11,611
> Poverty rate in 2019: 26.3% — #111 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $33,103 — #1,607 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.9% — #207 out of 1,892 cities
5. Jonesboro, Arkansas
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,395 per 100,000 people (total: 1,092)
> Share of total Burglaries in Arkansas: 6.0% of 11,611
> Poverty rate in 2019: 18.1% — #406 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $45,931 — #1,345 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 2.8% — #1,093 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad]
4. Lake Charles, Louisiana
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,539 per 100,000 people (total: 1,212)
> Share of total Burglaries in Louisiana: 4.5% of 14,372
> Poverty rate in 2019: 22.8% — #221 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $42,942 — #1,438 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.3% — #325 out of 1,892 cities
3. Alexandria, Louisiana
> Burglaries in 2019: 1,913 per 100,000 people (total: 892)
> Share of total Burglaries in Louisiana: 3.3% of 14,372
> Poverty rate in 2019: 24.4% — #154 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $43,497 — #1,425 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 5.4% — #125 out of 1,892 cities
2. Hot Springs, Arkansas
> Burglaries in 2019: 2,026 per 100,000 people (total: 755)
> Share of total Burglaries in Arkansas: 4.2% of 11,611
> Poverty rate in 2019: 24.3% — #164 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $37,552 — #1,562 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.2% — #338 out of 1,892 cities
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Vallejo, California
> Burglaries in 2019: 2,355 per 100,000 people (total: 2,888)
> Share of total Burglaries in California: 1.9% of 121,489
> Poverty rate in 2019: 12.6% — #779 out of 1,892 cities
> Median household income in 2019: $69,405 — #668 out of 1,892 cities
> Unemployment rate in 2019: 4.2% — #338 out of 1,892 cities
Find a Qualified Financial Advisor (Sponsor)
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
