Las Vegas, NV Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Las Vegas, NV

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Las Vegas is 47.7% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Las Vegas, there were 8605 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 516 per 100,000 individuals, 39.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 48669 property crimes, amounting to 2918 per 100,000 residents, 49.3% higher than the U.S. average.

The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Las Vegas is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Las Vegas reported a total of 10621 vehicle thefts, resulting in 637 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 158, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Las Vegas?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Las Vegas residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 736 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 37% of Las Vegas residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 63% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Las Vegas a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Las Vegas, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Las Vegas presents a total crime rate that is 48% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Las Vegas experiences an average of 156.92 daily crimes, comprising 23.58 violent incidents and 133.34 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Las Vegas Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Las Vegas. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Las Vegas has increased by 12.9%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 9.1%, while property crime has increased by 13.6%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 26 different neighborhoods in the Las Vegas area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Las Vegas include Sun City Summerlin, Sheep Mountain and Tule Springs. While Buffalo, Sunrise and East Las Vegas have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in Las Vegas

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Las Vegas currently has an unemployment rate of 4.3%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

Las Vegas has a population density of 4544.5 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Las Vegas crime rates.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Las Vegas is $279,700, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Las Vegas crime map