Is Riverdale, Bronx Safe in 2026?
Based on 1,573 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 1 shooting incident, and 4,651 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Riverdale is below the Bronx average for crime with incidents trending upward (9.5% increase year-over-year).
Riverdale is considered much safer than average, ranking safer than 79% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,573 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers December 2024 – December 2025 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 18, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
1,573
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
1
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
284
548 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 9.5%
9.5% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 414 | 26.3% |
| harrassment 2 | 275 | 17.5% |
| grand larceny | 227 | 14.4% |
| grand larceny of motor vehicle | 135 | 8.6% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 126 | 8.0% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 94 | 6.0% |
| off. agnst pub ord sensblty & | 62 | 3.9% |
| burglary | 49 | 3.1% |
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.
Noise Complaints
2,444
69.8 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
142
4.1 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
197
5.6 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
1,868
53.4 per 1,000 residents
Very 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
205
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
72
35% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
130
63% of total
How Safe Is Riverdale Compared to Other Bronx Neighborhoods?
Bronx Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelham Bay | 1,291 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 83% |
| Riverdale (this page) | 1,573 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Morris Park | 1,772 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Parkchester | 1,396 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Co-op City | 1,420 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Pelham Parkway | 2,437 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 68% |
| Castle Hill | 2,776 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 63% |
| Throgs Neck | 2,819 | 4 | Safer Than Average | 63% |
| Bedford Park | 3,910 | 1 | Average | 49% |
| Fordham | 3,391 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| University Heights | 7,428 | 18 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Kingsbridge | 3,767 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Hunts Point | 3,676 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Belmont | 3,584 | 10 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Eastchester | 3,924 | 9 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Highbridge | 2,617 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Soundview | 7,828 | 23 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Norwood | 2,847 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Mount Eden | 10,252 | 24 | Higher Than Average | 33% |
| Concourse | 7,020 | 10 | High Activity Area | 8% |
| Melrose | 7,276 | 8 | High Activity Area | 4% |
| Mott Haven | 7,701 | 20 | High Activity Area | 0% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page are sourced directly from the NYPD CompStat database via NYC Open Data. 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 Riverdale.
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 Riverdale only against other NTAs within Bronx, so scores are borough-relative rather than city-wide.
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 Riverdale Safety
Is Riverdale safe?
Riverdale is rated "Much Safer Than Average" — Top 25% safest in the borough. Over the past 12 months, 1,573 crime incidents were recorded, including 1 shooting incident. Riverdale is considered much safer than average, ranking safer than 79% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,573 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Riverdale?
The most common crimes in Riverdale are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (414 incidents, 26.3% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (275 incidents, 17.5% of total); 3. GRAND LARCENY (227 incidents, 14.4% of total).
Is Riverdale safer than the Bronx average?
Riverdale is safer than 79% of Bronx neighborhoods. It had 59% fewer incidents than the borough average (1,573 vs. a borough average of 3,800).
How has crime changed in Riverdale?
Crime in Riverdale has worsened by 9.5% year-over-year, rising from 1,436 to 1,573 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Riverdale?
311 data shows 2,444 Very High complaints, 142 Low complaints, and 197 Moderate complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Riverdale safe at night?
Night safety in Riverdale varies by block. About 44% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Riverdale recorded 1 shooting incident in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Riverdale safe for families?
For families considering Riverdale: the neighborhood recorded 2,444 noise complaints (very high for Bronx) and 142 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 79% of Bronx neighborhoods, which is above average. 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. Riverdale ranks at the 79th percentile with 1,573 incidents. Compare all Bronx neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see how each ranks by total crime, shootings, and borough percentile. All data is sourced from NYPD CompStat.
Can you walk around Riverdale at night?
Riverdale is classified as "Much Safer Than Average" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 1 shooting incident and 1,573 total crime incidents — 59% 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 Riverdale dangerous?
By NYPD data, Riverdale is rated "Much Safer Than Average" — safer than 79% of Bronx neighborhoods. 1,573 crime incidents over 12 months, worsened by 9.5% year-over-year, rising from 1,436 to 1,573 incidents. Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building to weight NYPD incidents within a 250-meter radius.
What parts of Riverdale should I avoid?
NYPD CompStat reports incidents at the precinct level, not block-by-block, so a granular "avoid this street" answer isn't possible from public data alone. The most reliable signal at the block level is DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which weights NYPD incidents within a 250m 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 Riverdale a good place to live?
Riverdale scores in the 79th percentile for safety in Bronx. Riverdale is considered much safer than average, ranking safer than 79% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,573 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 Riverdale to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Riverdale
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Riverdale.
Search an Address in Riverdale