Is Harlem, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 9,504 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 989 shooting incidents, and 26,011 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Harlem is above the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (205.6% increase year-over-year).
Harlem is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 47% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 9,504 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
9,504
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
989
163 fatal
Violent Crimes
1,478
3,092 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 205.6%
205.6% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 1,692 | 17.8% |
| petit larceny | 1,163 | 12.2% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 1,155 | 12.2% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 640 | 6.7% |
| grand larceny | 588 | 6.2% |
| felony assault | 578 | 6.1% |
| dangerous drugs | 543 | 5.7% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 406 | 4.3% |
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
17,169
245.3 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
1,276
18.2 per 1,000 residents
High
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
7,566
108.1 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
6,133
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
2,424
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
3,644
59% of total
How Safe Is Harlem 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 (this page) | 9,504 | 989 | High Activity Area | 47% |
| Chelsea | 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 Harlem.
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 Harlem 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 Harlem Safety
Is Harlem safe?
Harlem is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 9,504 crime incidents were recorded, including 989 shooting incidents. Harlem is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 47% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 9,504 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Harlem?
The most common crimes in Harlem are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (1,692 incidents, 17.8% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (1,163 incidents, 12.2% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (1,155 incidents, 12.2% of total).
Is Harlem safer than the Manhattan average?
Harlem is safer than 47% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 6% more incidents than the borough average (9,504 vs. a borough average of 9,000).
How has crime changed in Harlem?
Crime in Harlem has worsened by 205.6% year-over-year, rising from 3,110 to 9,504 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Harlem?
311 data shows 17,169 Very High complaints, 1,276 High complaints, and 0 Low complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Harlem safe at night?
Night safety in Harlem varies by block. About 28.5% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Harlem recorded 989 shooting incidents (163 fatal) in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Harlem safe for families?
For families considering Harlem: the neighborhood recorded 17,169 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 1,276 rodent reports. It ranks in the 47th 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. Harlem ranks at the 47th percentile with 9,504 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 Harlem
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Harlem.
Search an Address in Harlem