Is Chelsea, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 5,215 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 106 shooting incidents, and 7,349 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Chelsea is above the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (207.1% increase year-over-year).
Chelsea is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 42% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 5,215 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers March 2025 – March 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated March 31, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
5,215
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
106
28 fatal
Violent Crimes
953
1,687 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 207.1%
207.1% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,493 | 28.6% |
| grand larceny | 641 | 12.3% |
| harrassment 2 | 537 | 10.3% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 438 | 8.4% |
| dangerous drugs | 288 | 5.5% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 276 | 5.3% |
| sex crimes | 232 | 4.4% |
| felony assault | 169 | 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
5,849
167.1 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
155
4.4 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
1,345
38.4 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
5,949
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
2,276
38% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
3,410
57% of total
How Safe Is Chelsea Compared to Other Manhattan Neighborhoods?
Manhattan Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Village | 371 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 96% |
| SoHo | 1,911 | 90 | High Activity Area | 79% |
| Upper East Side | 4,091 | 14 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| Hell's Kitchen | 2,595 | 196 | High Activity Area | 71% |
| Lower East Side | 2,675 | 19 | High Activity Area | 70% |
| Financial District | 2,802 | 13 | High Activity Area | 69% |
| Upper West Side | 5,720 | 88 | High Activity Area | 68% |
| Tribeca | 3,540 | 20 | High Activity Area | 61% |
| Harlem | 9,504 | 989 | High Activity Area | 47% |
| Chelsea (this page) | 5,215 | 106 | High Activity Area | 42% |
| Greenwich Village | 5,439 | 37 | High Activity Area | 40% |
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 Chelsea.
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 Chelsea only against other NTAs within Manhattan, 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 Chelsea Safety
Is Chelsea safe?
Chelsea is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 5,215 crime incidents were recorded, including 106 shooting incidents. Chelsea is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 42% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 5,215 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Chelsea?
The most common crimes in Chelsea are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,493 incidents, 28.6% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (641 incidents, 12.3% of total); 3. HARRASSMENT 2 (537 incidents, 10.3% of total).
Is Chelsea safer than the Manhattan average?
Chelsea is safer than 42% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 16% more incidents than the borough average (5,215 vs. a borough average of 4,500).
How has crime changed in Chelsea?
Crime in Chelsea has worsened by 207.1% year-over-year, rising from 1,698 to 5,215 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Chelsea?
311 data shows 5,849 Very High complaints, 155 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Chelsea safe at night?
Night safety in Chelsea varies by block. About 27.8% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Chelsea recorded 106 shooting incidents (28 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Chelsea safe for families?
For families considering Chelsea: the neighborhood recorded 5,849 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 155 rodent reports. It ranks in the 42th percentile for safety in Manhattan. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Manhattan?
Safety varies across Manhattan neighborhoods. Chelsea ranks at the 42th percentile with 5,215 incidents. Compare all Manhattan 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.
Check a Specific Address in Chelsea
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Chelsea.
Search an Address in Chelsea