Burglary – defined as the unlawful entry of a structure, such as a home or business, to commit a theft or felony – is the most serious nonviolent offense tracked by the FBI. There were just over 1 million burglaries reported in the United States in 2020, a 7% decline from the previous year.
Most burglaries in the U.S. are committed in residential properties, and more often during the day than at night. These crimes are typically committed for monetary gain and result in billions of dollars in stolen property each year. Not only do victims of burglaries typically suffer material loss, but they can also be impacted psychologically. Many burglary victims have reported heightened anxiety, difficulty sleeping, feelings of vulnerability, and even post-traumatic stress disorder in some cases.
While the burglary rates have been declining in most of the country, some states are bucking the national trend, reporting a year-over-year uptick in break-ins. Here is a look at the American cities with the most break-ins.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the year-over-year change in burglary rates in every state. States are ranked by the change in the number of burglaries reported for every 100,000 people, from the largest decline to the largest increase.
Depending on the state, year-over-year changes in burglary rates range from a drop of 137 incidents for every 100,000 people, to a jump of 71 per 100,000. Nationwide, the burglary rate fell by 26 incidents per 100,000 people.
Burglary – along with vehicle theft and larceny – is one component of the overall property crime category. Even though burglary accounts for only a small percentage of all property crimes, all but one state with a falling burglary rate also reported a year-over-year decline in property crime, while every state with a rising burglary rate also reported an increase in the property crime rate. Here is a look at the states where property crime is soaring.
Click here to see the states where the burglary rate is rising and falling
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Nevada
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -136.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 11,574 (20th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 368.8 (18th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -403.8 (5th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,926.6 (24th lowest)
> Population: 3,080,156
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49. Mississippi
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -127.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 14,488 (25th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 488.3 (6th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -239.6 (13th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,101.6 (23rd highest)
> Population: 2,976,149
48. Alabama
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -105.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 19,660 (19th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 399.5 (11th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -486.0 (3rd lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,136.8 (19th highest)
> Population: 4,903,185
47. Alaska
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -105.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 2,775 (7th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 379.5 (13th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -642.0 (2nd lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,260.5 (13th highest)
> Population: 731,545
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46. South Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -84.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 23,377 (15th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 448.0 (8th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -225.4 (15th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,721.1 (5th highest)
> Population: 5,148,714
45. Louisiana
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -78.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 23,698 (14th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 510.1 (5th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -302.0 (9th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,884.4 (the highest)
> Population: 4,648,794
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44. Arizona
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -70.1
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 24,488 (12th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 330.0 (23rd highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -208.3 (18th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,227.7 (15th highest)
> Population: 7,278,717
43. Oklahoma
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -63.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 24,415 (13th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 613.3 (2nd highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -160.1 (24th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,705.6 (6th highest)
> Population: 3,956,971
42. Arkansas
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -63.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 15,854 (22nd highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 523.1 (3rd highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -234.3 (14th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,613.4 (8th highest)
> Population: 3,017,804
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41. Georgia
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -61.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 31,139 (9th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 290.7 (24th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -766.6 (the lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,007.4 (24th highest)
> Population: 10,617,423
40. Hawaii
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -61.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 4,630 (13th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 329.1 (24th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -457.9 (4th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,411.4 (12th highest)
> Population: 1,415,872
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39. Ohio
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -59.4
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 37,279 (6th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 318.8 (25th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -206.2 (19th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,850.3 (22nd lowest)
> Population: 11,689,100
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38. Missouri
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -54.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 23,300 (16th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 378.8 (14th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -127.1 (17th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,531.0 (9th highest)
> Population: 6,137,428
37. Tennessee
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -54.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 26,479 (11th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 384.5 (12th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -168.9 (23rd lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,492.8 (10th highest)
> Population: 6,829,174
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36. Florida
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -54.1
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 52,293 (3rd highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 240.6 (15th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -375.4 (6th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,769.4 (19th lowest)
> Population: 21,477,737
35. Michigan
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -53.1
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 23,231 (18th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 233.1 (14th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -224.7 (16th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,360.9 (8th lowest)
> Population: 9,986,857
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34. Rhode Island
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -52.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 1,763 (4th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 166.8 (8th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -296.1 (11th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,245.5 (7th lowest)
> Population: 1,059,361
33. Vermont
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -51.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 961 (the lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 154.2 (6th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -220.1 (17th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,217.0 (6th lowest)
> Population: 623,989
32. Delaware
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -51.4
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 2,508 (6th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 254.2 (19th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -284.2 (12th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,961.4 (25th highest)
> Population: 973,764
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31. New Mexico
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -48.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 13,665 (24th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 648.8 (the highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -337.0 (8th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,841.9 (2nd highest)
> Population: 2,096,829
30. North Carolina
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -43.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 49,952 (4th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 471.2 (7th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -165.0 (24th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,226.5 (16th highest)
> Population: 10,488,084
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29. Indiana
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -40.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 18,938 (20th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 280.4 (22nd lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -164.5 (25th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,783.2 (21st lowest)
> Population: 6,732,219
28. New Jersey
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -38.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 12,983 (23rd lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 146.2 (3rd lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -176.1 (22nd lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,158.2 (5th lowest)
> Population: 8,882,190
27. Wyoming
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -29.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 1,225 (2nd lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 210.4 (11th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +42.5 (7th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,610.6 (16th lowest)
> Population: 578,759
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26. Virginia
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -29.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 11,465 (19th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 133.5 (2nd lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -190.8 (21st lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,456.4 (11th lowest)
> Population: 8,535,519
25. Massachusetts
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -29.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 10,323 (18th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 149.7 (5th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -127.4 (18th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,053.2 (the lowest)
> Population: 6,892,503
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24. Illinois
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -28.2
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 31,020 (10th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 246.4 (16th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -296.1 (10th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,559.4 (13th lowest)
> Population: 12,671,821
23. New Hampshire
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -27.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 1,412 (3rd lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 103.3 (the lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -117.5 (15th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,098.9 (2nd lowest)
> Population: 1,359,711
22. Maryland
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -26.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 15,261 (24th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 252.0 (18th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -340.5 (7th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,609.8 (15th lowest)
> Population: 6,045,680
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21. Maine
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -26.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 2,009 (5th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 148.8 (4th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -91.5 (13th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,156.2 (4th lowest)
> Population: 1,344,212
20. Texas
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -24.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 108,851 (2nd highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 370.7 (16th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -160.6 (25th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,245.0 (14th highest)
> Population: 28,995,881
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19. Idaho
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -21.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 3,731 (11th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 204.2 (10th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -131.5 (21st highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,111.9 (3rd lowest)
> Population: 1,787,065
18. Iowa
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -21.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 11,739 (21st lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 371.1 (15th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -151.5 (23rd highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,698.2 (18th lowest)
> Population: 3,155,070
17. West Virginia
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -21.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 4,877 (14th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 273.3 (21st lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -122.8 (16th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,399.4 (9th lowest)
> Population: 1,792,147
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16. Oregon
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -19.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 14,386 (25th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 339.2 (21st highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -129.5 (19th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,659.0 (7th highest)
> Population: 4,217,737
15. California
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -17.2
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 145,529 (the highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 369.7 (17th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -196.9 (20th lowest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,138.9 (18th highest)
> Population: 39,512,223
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14. Nebraska
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -16.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 4,455 (12th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 229.9 (13th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -137.5 (22nd highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,909.2 (23rd lowest)
> Population: 1,934,408
13. Kansas
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -11.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 9,655 (17th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 331.4 (22nd highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -77.4 (12th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,199.1 (17th highest)
> Population: 2,913,314
12. Montana
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -7.2
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 2,919 (8th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 270.1 (20th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -115.3 (14th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,120.8 (22nd highest)
> Population: 1,068,778
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11. Kentucky
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: -4.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 15,407 (23rd highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 344.1 (19th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -129.7 (20th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,779.5 (20th lowest)
> Population: 4,467,673
10. Wisconsin
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +2.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 12,744 (22nd lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 218.5 (12th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +12.7 (10th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,485.7 (12th lowest)
> Population: 5,822,434
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9. Connecticut
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +5.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 6,656 (15th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 187.1 (9th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +132.8 (5th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,565.1 (14th lowest)
> Population: 3,565,287
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8. Utah
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +20.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 9,444 (16th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 290.6 (23rd lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +295.8 (the highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,464.4 (11th highest)
> Population: 3,205,958
7. New York
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +21.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 32,003 (7th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 165.5 (7th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +24.6 (9th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,410.7 (10th lowest)
> Population: 19,453,561
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6. Minnesota
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +22.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 17,370 (21st highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 307.0 (25th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +33.2 (8th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,124.9 (20th highest)
> Population: 5,639,632
5. South Dakota
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +40.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 3,036 (9th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 340.1 (20th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +188.5 (4th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,956.7 (25th lowest)
> Population: 884,659
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4. Colorado
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +48.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 23,246 (17th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 400.3 (10th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +219.2 (3rd highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,833.8 (3rd highest)
> Population: 5,758,736
3. Washington
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +62.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 40,167 (5th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 522.1 (4th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +6.7 (11th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,732.4 (4th highest)
> Population: 7,614,893
2. Pennsylvania
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +66.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 31,774 (8th highest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 248.6 (17th lowest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +240.3 (2nd highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,644.1 (17th lowest)
> Population: 12,801,989
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1. North Dakota
> 1-yr. change in reported burglaries per 100K people: +71.1
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 3,196 (10th lowest)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 417.6 (9th highest)
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +124.7 (6th highest)
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,124.1 (21st highest)
> Population: 762,062
Methodology
To determine the states where the burglary rate is rising fastest, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the change in burglaries per 100,000 people from the FBI’s 2019 and 2020 Uniform Crime Reports.
Limited data was available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though states were not excluded from analysis. Because some state and local agencies changed reporting practices between 2019 and 2020, the figures are not comparable, and the areas were excluded.
Population figures are one-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. However, these estimates were not used to calculate crime rates. Crime rates per 100,000 people were calculated using population figures provided by the FBI in the 2020 and 2019 UCR.
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