Is Pelham Bay, Bronx Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
Pelham Bay has a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods, or 43.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the safer half of Bronx. DwellCheck rates it "Much Safer Than Average" — top 25% safest in the borough — from 1,288 NYPD complaint records and 1 shooting incident over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (1,232 vs 1,288). Safety varies block by block, so read this as neighborhood context rather than a verdict on any single street.
Over the same 12 months, 311 logged 3,897 quality-of-life complaints in Pelham Bay. Pelham Bay is considered much safer than average: it has a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods, but 1 shooting incident in the past 12 months lowers the rating. Incident levels are stable with 1,288 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers June 2025 – June 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD Complaint, Shooting & Arrest Data and NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated September 14, 2026
What Is the Crime Rate in Pelham Bay?
Pelham Bay recorded 1,288 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (29,462 residents) that is 43.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods. Of those, 461 were felonies and 85 were violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery or felony assault). Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife blocks push the rate up in districts with few residents.
Pelham Bay Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
1,288
Past 12 months · 43.7 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
1
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
85
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 4.5%
No significant change
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 29,462 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in Pelham Bay
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 246 | 19.1% |
| petit larceny | 180 | 14.0% |
| grand larceny | 145 | 11.3% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 142 | 11.0% |
| grand larceny of motor vehicle | 102 | 7.9% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 97 | 7.5% |
| felony assault | 62 | 4.8% |
| off. agnst pub ord sensblty & | 60 | 4.7% |
Severity Distribution
Where Crimes Occur
Quality of Life Indicators
311 complaints reveal patterns about daily quality of life that crime statistics alone do not capture. These are resident-reported issues from the past 12 months. Rates use the 2020 Census population (29,462 residents). Labels compare each rate with the other NYC neighborhoods we track: Low is the bottom quarter, Moderate the middle half, High the next 15%, and Very High the top 10%.
Noise Complaints
2,165
73.5 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Rodent Reports
45
1.5 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
238
8.1 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
1,449
49.2 per 1,000 residents
High
Arrest Activity
Arrest data reflects law enforcement activity in the area. High arrest counts relative to crime can indicate active policing; low counts may reflect under-enforcement or lower crime.
Total Arrests
299
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
101
34% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
193
65% of total
How Safe Is Pelham Bay Compared to Other Bronx Neighborhoods?
Bronx Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Per 1,000 Residents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverdale | 1,491 | 31.1 | 2 | Much Safer Than Average | 100% |
| Parkchester | 1,227 | 36.5 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 95% |
| Pelham Bay (this page) | 1,288 | 43.7 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 90% |
| Co-op City | 1,668 | 44.6 | 2 | Much Safer Than Average | 86% |
| Throgs Neck | 2,611 | 54.3 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 81% |
| Castle Hill | 2,630 | 63.5 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 76% |
| Norwood | 2,884 | 66.4 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 71% |
| Soundview | 7,571 | 67.8 | 24 | Higher Than Average | 67% |
| Morris Park | 1,704 | 68 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 62% |
| Kingsbridge | 3,996 | 68.2 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 57% |
| Pelham Parkway | 2,257 | 69.6 | 2 | Average | 52% |
| Eastchester | 3,814 | 73.7 | 7 | Higher Than Average | 48% |
| University Heights | 7,496 | 74.1 | 18 | Higher Than Average | 43% |
| Bedford Park | 4,117 | 74.2 | 3 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Highbridge | 2,533 | 78 | 4 | Higher Than Average | 33% |
| Concourse | 6,624 | 95.5 | 16 | Higher Than Average | 29% |
| Belmont | 3,529 | 98.5 | 12 | Much Higher Than Average | 24% |
| Mount Eden | 10,679 | 108.1 | 20 | Much Higher Than Average | 19% |
| Fordham | 3,655 | 113.9 | 5 | Much Higher Than Average | 14% |
| Mott Haven | 7,373 | 127.7 | 16 | Much Higher Than Average | 10% |
| Melrose | 6,482 | 152 | 7 | High Activity Area | 5% |
| Hunts Point | 3,533 | 233.5 | 3 | High Activity Area | 0% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page come from NYPD Complaint Data, Shooting Incident Data and Arrest Data published on NYC Open Data, refreshed periodically. Incidents are mapped to neighborhood boundaries using the NYC Department of City Planning Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (NTAs) — the same geographic units used in official census reporting. Each safety score reflects the cumulative activity within the NTA boundaries assigned to Pelham Bay.
NTA boundaries are drawn to maintain population comparability across census tracts, which means they may not perfectly align with what residents consider their "neighborhood." In some cases, a single NTA spans areas with different character. The percentile ranking compares Pelham Bay's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 29,462) only against the other neighborhoods we track in Bronx, so it is borough-relative rather than city-wide. Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife districts with few residents rank high. The borough averages on this page apply the borough's crimes per resident to Pelham Bay's population.
Safety conditions vary significantly block by block. Neighborhood-level statistics provide important context but should not substitute for address-level research. Use DwellCheck to analyze a specific address and understand the precise safety environment within walking distance of where you plan to live.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pelham Bay Safety
Is Pelham Bay safe?
Pelham Bay has a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods, or 43.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the safer half of Bronx. DwellCheck rates it "Much Safer Than Average" — top 25% safest in the borough — from 1,288 NYPD complaint records and 1 shooting incident over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (1,232 vs 1,288). Safety varies block by block, so read this as neighborhood context rather than a verdict on any single street.
What is the crime rate in Pelham Bay?
Pelham Bay recorded 1,288 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (29,462 residents) that is 43.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods. Of those, 461 were felonies and 85 were violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery or felony assault). Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife blocks push the rate up in districts with few residents.
What are the most common crimes in Pelham Bay?
The most common crimes in Pelham Bay are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (246 incidents, 19.1% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (180 incidents, 14% of total); 3. GRAND LARCENY (145 incidents, 11.3% of total).
Is Pelham Bay safer than the Bronx average?
Pelham Bay has a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods. It had 46% fewer incidents than the borough average (1,288 vs. a borough average of 2,385 for a neighborhood of the same population, 29,462 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 43.7 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in Pelham Bay?
Crime in Pelham Bay has remained stable year-over-year (1,232 vs 1,288 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about Pelham Bay?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 2,165 noise complaints (moderate per resident), 45 rodent complaints (low) and 238 sanitation complaints (moderate). Each label compares the rate per resident (2020 Census) with the other NYC neighborhoods we track. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Pelham Bay safe at night?
Night safety in Pelham Bay varies by block. About 42.2% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Pelham Bay recorded 1 shooting incident in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Pelham Bay safe for families?
For families considering Pelham Bay: the neighborhood recorded 2,165 noise complaints (moderate per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 45 rodent reports. It has a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Bronx?
Safety varies across Bronx neighborhoods. Pelham Bay has a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods, with 1,288 incidents. Compare all Bronx neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see each one's crimes per 1,000 residents, shootings, and borough percentile. Crime data is NYPD Complaint Data via NYC Open Data.
Can you walk around Pelham Bay at night?
Pelham Bay is classified as "Much Safer Than Average" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 1 shooting incident and 1,288 total crime incidents — 46% fewer incidents than the borough average. Walking at night carries the same risk profile as anywhere in NYC: stay on commercial corridors with foot traffic, avoid empty side streets after midnight, and prefer subway lines that run 24/7.
Is Pelham Bay dangerous?
By NYPD data, Pelham Bay is rated "Much Safer Than Average", with a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods. 1,288 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (1,232 vs 1,288 incidents). Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building, which counts NYPD complaints within a 300-meter radius.
What parts of Pelham Bay should I avoid?
NYPD complaint records carry approximate incident coordinates, but a neighborhood total can't tell you which blocks drive it, so we don't publish an "avoid this street" list. For a specific block, use DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which counts NYPD complaint records within a 300m radius of a specific building. As a general rule across all NYC neighborhoods: industrial blocks with no foot traffic are higher-risk than residential blocks; subway-station-adjacent commercial corridors are lowest-risk.
Is Pelham Bay a good place to live?
Pelham Bay is considered much safer than average: it has a lower crime rate per resident than 90% of Bronx neighborhoods, but 1 shooting incident in the past 12 months lowers the rating. Incident levels are stable with 1,288 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months. Whether it's a good fit depends on what you weight: families, solo renters, and remote workers prioritize different factors (noise, transit access, parks, building quality). Use DwellCheck's full livability page for Pelham Bay to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Pelham Bay
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Pelham Bay.
Search an Address in Pelham BayCompare Pelham Bay with Nearby Bronx Crime Rates
The Bronx neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to Pelham Bay's.