Is Williamsburg, Brooklyn Safe in 2026?
Based on 3,515 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 1 shooting incident, and 13,364 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Williamsburg is above the Brooklyn average for crime with stable incident levels year-over-year.
Williamsburg is considered about average, ranking safer than 45% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 3,515 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
3,515
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
1
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
761
1,315 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 0%
No significant change
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 773 | 22.0% |
| grand larceny | 507 | 14.4% |
| harrassment 2 | 478 | 13.6% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 292 | 8.3% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 222 | 6.3% |
| burglary | 144 | 4.1% |
| felony assault | 127 | 3.6% |
| miscellaneous penal law | 111 | 3.2% |
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
10,509
300.3 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
353
10.1 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
860
24.6 per 1,000 residents
High
Heat/Hot Water
1,642
46.9 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
1,660
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
805
48% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
830
50% of total
How Safe Is Williamsburg Compared to Other Brooklyn Neighborhoods?
Brooklyn Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor Terrace | 433 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 93% |
| Prospect Heights | 876 | 2 | Much Safer Than Average | 86% |
| Brooklyn Heights | 989 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 85% |
| Kensington | 1,100 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 83% |
| Brighton Beach | 1,272 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Midwood | 1,414 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 78% |
| Clinton Hill | 1,338 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Ditmas Park | 1,648 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 74% |
| Greenpoint | 1,925 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 70% |
| Marine Park | 1,908 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 70% |
| Park Slope | 2,290 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 64% |
| Bay Ridge | 3,295 | 0 | Average | 49% |
| Williamsburg (this page) | 3,515 | 1 | Average | 45% |
| Fort Greene | 3,321 | 6 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Sunset Park | 3,565 | 4 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Sheepshead Bay | 2,604 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| East Flatbush | 11,900 | 29 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Prospect Lefferts Gardens | 3,045 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Carroll Gardens | 3,958 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Canarsie | 3,962 | 12 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Flatbush | 4,068 | 7 | Higher Than Average | 36% |
| Bushwick | 8,439 | 12 | Higher Than Average | 34% |
| East New York | 13,735 | 27 | Higher Than Average | 28% |
| Crown Heights | 9,739 | 19 | Much Higher Than Average | 24% |
| Coney Island | 5,745 | 9 | Much Higher Than Average | 10% |
| Downtown Brooklyn | 6,295 | 4 | High Activity Area | 2% |
| Bed-Stuy | 13,299 | 28 | 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 Williamsburg.
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 Williamsburg only against other NTAs within Brooklyn, 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 Williamsburg Safety
Is Williamsburg safe?
Williamsburg is rated "Average" — Typical for the borough. Over the past 12 months, 3,515 crime incidents were recorded, including 1 shooting incident. Williamsburg is considered about average, ranking safer than 45% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 3,515 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Williamsburg?
The most common crimes in Williamsburg are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (773 incidents, 22% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (507 incidents, 14.4% of total); 3. HARRASSMENT 2 (478 incidents, 13.6% of total).
Is Williamsburg safer than the Brooklyn average?
Williamsburg is safer than 45% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. It had 10% more incidents than the borough average (3,515 vs. a borough average of 3,200).
How has crime changed in Williamsburg?
Crime in Williamsburg has remained stable year-over-year (3,514 vs 3,515 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about Williamsburg?
311 data shows 10,509 Very High complaints, 353 Moderate complaints, and 860 High complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Williamsburg safe at night?
Night safety in Williamsburg varies by block. About 29.9% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Williamsburg recorded 1 shooting incident in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Williamsburg safe for families?
For families considering Williamsburg: the neighborhood recorded 10,509 noise complaints (very high for Brooklyn) and 353 rodent reports. It ranks in the 45th percentile for safety in Brooklyn. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Brooklyn?
Safety varies across Brooklyn neighborhoods. Williamsburg ranks at the 45th percentile with 3,515 incidents. Compare all Brooklyn 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 Williamsburg at night?
Williamsburg is classified as "Average" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 1 shooting incident and 3,515 total crime incidents — 10% more 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 Williamsburg dangerous?
By NYPD data, Williamsburg is rated "Average" — safer than 45% of Brooklyn neighborhoods. 3,515 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (3,514 vs 3,515 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg a good place to live?
Williamsburg scores in the 45th percentile for safety in Brooklyn. Williamsburg is considered about average, ranking safer than 45% of the borough. Incident levels are stable with 3,515 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 Williamsburg to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Williamsburg
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Williamsburg.
Search an Address in Williamsburg