If you’re trying to find the most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn about ten of the most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City, as well as the rationale behind choosing them for this list. It’s critical to keep yourself safe in a place as massive as New York City.
10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in NYC
- Hunts Point
- Brownsville
- Mott Haven
- Bedford-Stuyvesant
- Midtown
- East Harlem
- Fordham
- Highbridge
- Bushwick
- Tremont
- East New York
- Jamaica
1. Hunts Point
The most dangerous neighborhood in NYC is Hunts Point. Located in the Bronx, Hunts Point is one of the bad parts of New York due to the prostitution and drug issues that run rampant in the area. Your chance of being a victim in Hunts Point is about 1 in 22. Of most concern, sexual assault cases are rising in Hunts Point, making it an unsafe place to visit.
The average violent crime rate is about 1,944 per 100,000 people, and the average crime rate is about 4,557 per 100,000 people. Whether you’re visiting New York City or planning a move, it’s best to keep away from Hunts Point if you can do so during your visit or residency in the city.
2. Brownsville
Brownsville is another one of the worst neighborhoods in NYC. It's also the most dangerous neighborhood in Brooklyn. The area has had a long history of being one of the bad parts of New York, with a high rate of homicides, drug-related deaths, and murder. With a murder rate of nearly four times the average in New York, it’s clear to see why Brownsville is an area you should steer clear of in the city. The crime rate is not worth the risk for the average human being in New York.
Your chance of being a victim of a crime here is about 1 in 36. The violent crime rate is 1,264 per 100,000 people, and the overall crime rate is about 2,810 per 100,000 people. Chances are high that you will become a victim here. This Brooklyn neighborhood is not ideal in terms of safety by any means, so stay away from it if at all possible.
3. Mott Haven
Mott Haven is easily one of the worst neighborhoods in New York in terms of safety. Its crime rate is nearly 400% higher than the national average. It’s generally an excellent idea to stay inside when it gets dark in the city. This statement is especially true if you’re passing through Mott Haven to get somewhere else. Try to stay outside the neighborhood when possible.
Your chance of being a victim in Mott Haven is 1 in 32. The violent crime rate here is about 2,039 per 100,000 people, while the overall crime rate is about 5,181 per 100,000 people. This statistic includes all types of crimes - rape, murder, assault, robbery, and so on. It’s best to keep on guard if you move through Mott Haven, both in the light and the dark.
4. Bedford-Stuyvesant
Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood has long been known for its crime rates. Although it's no longer as dangerous as it was back when Biggie was rapping about "Do or die, Bed-Stuy", the rate of crime has started to increase in the past few years, rather than going down. Most common are robberies and encounters with individuals that quickly turn violent. You have to be on your toes in the Bed-Stuy area.
Your chance of becoming a victim in Bedford-Stuyvesant is about 1 in 35. The violent crime rate is about 1,065 per 100,000 people, and the average crime rate is about 2,902 per 100,000 people. It’s one of the areas to avoid in NYC, whether you’re visiting or trying to find a livable location for an extended residency in New York City.
5. Midtown
Although many wouldn’t consider Midtown to be particularly dangerous, crime has been on the rise in recent years, in part due to the massive homelessness problem. In 2020 and 2021, there were numerous high-profile incidents where homeless men attacked and stabbed passersby in Midtown. Although violent crime isn’t as high as other areas, smaller problems like theft are rampant. The hustle and bustle of tourists in Times Square and Central Park make it easy for criminals to grab personal items and run.
The property crime rate here is about 7,400 per 100,000 people. The violent crime rate is about 1,200 per 100,000 people. You’re more likely to be pickpocketed here than assaulted, but neither is preferred in the average life. It’s vital to keep an eye out, even when surrounded by tourists that make it feel like nothing could go wrong.
6. East Harlem
One of the most dangerous areas in Manhattan is East Harlem. This neighborhood is a melting pot of diversity and a place where many people flourish and thrive. However, it also has one of the highest crime rates in New York City. Most were property crimes, but the violent crime rate is nearly double the national average.
Your chance of being a victim in East Harlem is about 1 in 22 people. The average violent crime rate is about 1,616 per 100,000 people, and the overall average crime rate is about 4,554 per 100,000 people. With an increase in law enforcement, these numbers could soon change for the better shortly.
7. Fordham
Fordham is another dangerous NYC neighborhood. Although Fordham is partially a college town, home to a portion of the Fordham University campus, it’s still one of the bad parts of New York. This Bronx neighborhood has an assault rate that is nearly five times the national average, despite Fordham’s small size. It has a separate police force for the North and South sides of the area.
Your chance of becoming a victim here is about 1 in 29. The average violent crime rate is about 1,251 per 100,000 people, while the average crime rate is about 3,604 per 100,000 people. Fordham is a place you want to avoid walking at night by yourself. Its crime rate has not improved over the years, so we’ll see where it goes in the future.
8. Highbridge
Highbridge is yet another dangerous neighborhood located in the Bronx. It’s a popular area, with many coffee shops and locations from iconic films that draw many tourists (even if they’re not welcome in the area). However, it’s also one of the worst neighborhoods in New York. Street and drug crimes are the main troublemakers in this area.
Your chance of becoming a victim in this neighborhood is about 1 in 29. The average violent crime rate is about 1,149 per 100,000 people, while the average crime rate is about 3,564 per 100,000 people. Highbridge can be an appealing area, but it’s critical to keep your wits about you. You never know what could be going on around you in the area.
9. Bushwick
Bushwick is perhaps the least dangerous neighborhood on this list, but it still fits in with the others nonetheless. Located in Brooklyn, this area has been around since the 1800s. It has slowly rebuilt itself over the years, drawing in your people thanks to the more affordable New York living. However, the crime rate is still one of the highest in the city.
Your chance of becoming a victim in Bushwick is about 1 in 40. The average violent crime rate is about 727 per 100,000 people, and the average crime rate is about 2,511 per 100,000 people. Although violent crime is not as high here, petty theft and robbery are. Still, it’s on the rise, and the crime rate is sure to go down sooner rather than later.
10. Tremont
Tremont is considered one of the lowest-income areas in New York City. It has two separate police precincts to deal with crime rates almost 200% above the national average. This Bronx neighborhood has always been known for crime and is considered one of the bad parts of New York for that very reason.
Your chance of becoming a victim in Tremont is about 1 in 35. The average violent crime rate is about 1,223 per 100,000 people, while the average crime rate is about 2,898 per 100,000 people. It’s vital to keep your surroundings in check when you travel through Tremont to avoid becoming a victim in the day or the night.
11. East New York
East New York is also one of theworst areas in New York City for crime. Situated in the far eastern reaches of Brooklyn, East New York has a bad reputation for crime and gang activity. East New York is patrolled by the 75th precinct of the NYPD, which reported 24 murders, 762 rapes, 696 robberies and 1,079 felony assaults in 2023. Although the current crime rate is a decrease from the ’90s, it’s still among the highest in New York City.
The total crime rate in East New York is 88% higher than the national average, while the violent crime rate is 279% higher than in the rest of the US. Your chances of being the victim of a violent crime in East New York are 1 in 23.
12. Jamaica
Jamaica is another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in New York City. Located in the far eastern part of Queens, Jamaica has a high rate of violent crime, including murder. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in Jamaica are 1 in 32. The violent crime rate in Jamaica is 1,117 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 202% higher than the rest of the country. A report published by the Journal of Transport and Land Use found that a stretch on Jamaica Avenue between 85th and 98th Street was one of the deadliest in the nation for pedestrians, and six people were murdered in that area within a 16-year span.