Is University Heights, Bronx Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
University Heights has a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods, or 74.1 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the higher-crime half of Bronx. DwellCheck rates it "Higher Than Average" — above-average incident activity — from 7,496 NYPD complaint records and 18 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (7,446 vs 7,496). 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 24,274 quality-of-life complaints in University Heights. University Heights is considered higher than average, with a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods. Incident levels are stable with 7,496 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 University Heights?
University Heights recorded 7,496 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (101,220 residents) that is 74.1 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods. Of those, 2,824 were felonies and 1,054 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.
University Heights Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
7,496
Past 12 months · 74.1 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
18
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
1,054
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 0.7%
No significant change
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 101,220 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in University Heights
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 1,202 | 16.0% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 1,039 | 13.9% |
| petit larceny | 960 | 12.8% |
| felony assault | 696 | 9.3% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 538 | 7.2% |
| grand larceny | 533 | 7.1% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 410 | 5.5% |
| robbery | 352 | 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 (101,220 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
13,333
131.7 per 1,000 residents
High
Rodent Reports
280
2.8 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
561
5.5 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
10,100
99.8 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
2,648
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
1,062
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,573
59% of total
How Safe Is University Heights 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 | 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 (this page) | 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 University Heights.
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 University Heights's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 101,220) 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 University Heights'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 University Heights Safety
Is University Heights safe?
University Heights has a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods, or 74.1 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the higher-crime half of Bronx. DwellCheck rates it "Higher Than Average" — above-average incident activity — from 7,496 NYPD complaint records and 18 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (7,446 vs 7,496). 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 University Heights?
University Heights recorded 7,496 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (101,220 residents) that is 74.1 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods. Of those, 2,824 were felonies and 1,054 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 University Heights?
The most common crimes in University Heights are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (1,202 incidents, 16% of total); 2. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (1,039 incidents, 13.9% of total); 3. PETIT LARCENY (960 incidents, 12.8% of total).
Is University Heights safer than the Bronx average?
University Heights has a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods. It had 9% fewer incidents than the borough average (7,496 vs. a borough average of 8,193 for a neighborhood of the same population, 101,220 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 74.1 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in University Heights?
Crime in University Heights has remained stable year-over-year (7,446 vs 7,496 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about University Heights?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 13,333 noise complaints (high per resident), 280 rodent complaints (moderate) and 561 sanitation complaints (low). 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 University Heights safe at night?
Night safety in University Heights varies by block. About 36.6% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. University Heights recorded 18 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is University Heights safe for families?
For families considering University Heights: the neighborhood recorded 13,333 noise complaints (high per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 280 rodent reports. It has a lower crime rate per resident than 43% 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. University Heights has a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods, with 7,496 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 University Heights at night?
University Heights is classified as "Higher Than Average" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 18 shooting incidents and 7,496 total crime incidents — 9% 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 University Heights dangerous?
By NYPD data, University Heights is rated "Higher Than Average", with a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods. 7,496 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (7,446 vs 7,496 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 University Heights 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 University Heights a good place to live?
University Heights is considered higher than average, with a lower crime rate per resident than 43% of Bronx neighborhoods. Incident levels are stable with 7,496 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 University Heights to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in University Heights
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in University Heights.
Search an Address in University HeightsCompare University Heights with Nearby Bronx Crime Rates
The Bronx neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to University Heights's.