Is University Heights, Bronx Safe in 2026?
Based on 7,428 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 18 shooting incidents, and 22,838 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, University Heights is below the Bronx average for crime with stable incident levels year-over-year.
University Heights is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 44% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 7,428 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 26, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
7,428
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
18
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
1,590
2,858 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 0.1%
No significant change
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 1,140 | 15.3% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 1,019 | 13.7% |
| petit larceny | 995 | 13.4% |
| felony assault | 655 | 8.8% |
| grand larceny | 579 | 7.8% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 554 | 7.5% |
| robbery | 350 | 4.7% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 327 | 4.4% |
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
12,213
174.5 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
313
4.5 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
478
6.8 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
9,834
140.5 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
2,388
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
966
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
1,388
58% of total
How Safe Is University Heights 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 | 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 (this page) | 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 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 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 University Heights Safety
Is University Heights safe?
University Heights is rated "Higher Than Average" — Above-average incident activity. Over the past 12 months, 7,428 crime incidents were recorded, including 18 shooting incidents. University Heights is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 44% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 7,428 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in University Heights?
The most common crimes in University Heights are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (1,140 incidents, 15.3% of total); 2. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (1,019 incidents, 13.7% of total); 3. PETIT LARCENY (995 incidents, 13.4% of total).
Is University Heights safer than the Bronx average?
University Heights is safer than 44% of Bronx neighborhoods. It had 2% fewer incidents than the borough average (7,428 vs. a borough average of 7,600).
How has crime changed in University Heights?
Crime in University Heights has remained stable year-over-year (7,424 vs 7,428 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about University Heights?
311 data shows 12,213 Very High complaints, 313 Low complaints, and 478 Moderate complaints. 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 37.5% 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 12,213 noise complaints (very high for Bronx) and 313 rodent reports. It ranks in the 44th percentile for safety in Bronx. 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 ranks at the 44th percentile with 7,428 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 University Heights at night?
University Heights is classified as "Higher Than Average" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 18 shooting incidents and 7,428 total crime incidents — 2% 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" — safer than 44% of Bronx neighborhoods. 7,428 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (7,424 vs 7,428 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 University Heights 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 University Heights a good place to live?
University Heights scores in the 44th percentile for safety in Bronx. University Heights is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 44% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 7,428 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 Heights