Is Chinatown, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 1,868 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 90 shooting incidents, and 4,293 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Chinatown is below the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (189.2% increase year-over-year).
Chinatown is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 79% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,868 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers April 2025 – April 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 5, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
1,868
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
90
18 fatal
Violent Crimes
348
602 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 189.2%
189.2% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 338 | 18.1% |
| petit larceny | 270 | 14.5% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 243 | 13.0% |
| grand larceny | 166 | 8.9% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 137 | 7.3% |
| felony assault | 104 | 5.6% |
| sex crimes | 84 | 4.5% |
| off. agnst pub ord sensblty & | 68 | 3.6% |
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
3,393
96.9 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
79
2.3 per 1,000 residents
Low
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
821
23.5 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
1,910
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
856
45% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
832
44% of total
How Safe Is Chinatown Compared to Other Manhattan Neighborhoods?
Manhattan Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Village | 371 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 96% |
| Yorkville | 1,426 | 13 | High Activity Area | 84% |
| SoHo | 1,911 | 90 | High Activity Area | 79% |
| Chinatown (this page) | 1,868 | 90 | High Activity Area | 79% |
| Inwood | 1,880 | 188 | High Activity Area | 79% |
| Upper East Side | 4,091 | 14 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| Murray Hill | 2,084 | 15 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| Turtle Bay | 2,084 | 15 | Higher Than Average | 77% |
| West Village | 2,500 | 10 | Higher Than Average | 72% |
| 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% |
| Washington Heights | 6,560 | 419 | High Activity Area | 64% |
| NoHo | 3,380 | 94 | High Activity Area | 62% |
| Tribeca | 3,540 | 20 | High Activity Area | 61% |
| Harlem | 9,504 | 989 | High Activity Area | 47% |
| Chelsea | 5,215 | 106 | High Activity Area | 42% |
| Gramercy Park | 5,319 | 44 | High Activity Area | 41% |
| Greenwich Village | 5,439 | 37 | High Activity Area | 40% |
| Midtown | 16,301 | 96 | 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 Chinatown.
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 Chinatown 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 Chinatown Safety
Is Chinatown safe?
Chinatown is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 1,868 crime incidents were recorded, including 90 shooting incidents. Chinatown is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 79% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 1,868 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Chinatown?
The most common crimes in Chinatown are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (338 incidents, 18.1% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (270 incidents, 14.5% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (243 incidents, 13% of total).
Is Chinatown safer than the Manhattan average?
Chinatown is safer than 79% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 58% fewer incidents than the borough average (1,868 vs. a borough average of 4,500).
How has crime changed in Chinatown?
Crime in Chinatown has worsened by 189.2% year-over-year, rising from 646 to 1,868 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Chinatown?
311 data shows 3,393 Very High complaints, 79 Low complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Chinatown safe at night?
Night safety in Chinatown varies by block. About 28.9% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Chinatown recorded 90 shooting incidents (18 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Chinatown safe for families?
For families considering Chinatown: the neighborhood recorded 3,393 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 79 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 79% of Manhattan 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 Manhattan?
Safety varies across Manhattan neighborhoods. Chinatown ranks at the 79th percentile with 1,868 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 Chinatown
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Chinatown.
Search an Address in Chinatown