Is Midtown, Manhattan Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
Midtown has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track, or 474.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. DwellCheck rates it "High Activity Area" — among the highest activity areas — from 12,137 NYPD complaint records and 4 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents are down 6.7% year-over-year. Safety varies block by block, so read this as neighborhood context rather than a verdict on any single street.
Over the same 12 months, 311 logged 5,079 quality-of-life complaints in Midtown. Midtown is considered a high-activity area, with the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track. Incidents are trending down with 12,137 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers June 2025 – June 2026 (12 months) · Source: NYPD Complaint, Shooting & Arrest Data and NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated September 14, 2026
What Is the Crime Rate in Midtown?
Midtown recorded 12,137 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (25,575 residents) that is 474.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track. Of those, 4,142 were felonies and 651 were violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery or felony assault). Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife blocks push the rate up in districts with few residents.
Midtown Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
12,137
Past 12 months · 474.6 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
4
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
651
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↓ 6.7%
6.7% fewer incidents
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 25,575 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in Midtown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 3,897 | 32.1% |
| grand larceny | 1,962 | 16.2% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 928 | 7.6% |
| harrassment 2 | 884 | 7.3% |
| other offenses related to theft | 582 | 4.8% |
| forgery | 473 | 3.9% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 456 | 3.8% |
| dangerous drugs | 426 | 3.5% |
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. Rates use the 2020 Census population (25,575 residents). Labels compare each rate with the other NYC neighborhoods we track: Low is the bottom quarter, Moderate the middle half, High the next 15%, and Very High the top 10%.
Noise Complaints
4,088
159.8 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
42
1.6 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
391
15.3 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Heat/Hot Water
558
21.8 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
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
5,725
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
1,821
32% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
3,886
68% of total
How Safe Is Midtown Compared to Other Manhattan Neighborhoods?
Manhattan Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Per 1,000 Residents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuyvesant Town | 507 | 22.5 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 100% |
| Yorkville | 1,974 | 23.5 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 96% |
| Roosevelt Island | 2,087 | 24.4 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 92% |
| Morningside Heights | 1,492 | 38.4 | 1 | Much Safer Than Average | 88% |
| Murray Hill | 2,578 | 40.6 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 85% |
| Upper West Side | 6,922 | 45.1 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 81% |
| Midtown East | 2,149 | 47 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 77% |
| Lincoln Square | 3,462 | 49 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 73% |
| Upper East Side | 3,230 | 51.8 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 69% |
| East Village | 4,204 | 58.8 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 65% |
| Chinatown | 2,506 | 58.9 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 62% |
| Gramercy Park | 1,771 | 61.9 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 58% |
| Washington Heights | 9,009 | 62.6 | 6 | Higher Than Average | 54% |
| Financial District | 3,475 | 65.6 | 1 | Average | 50% |
| Hamilton Heights | 3,291 | 66.6 | 3 | Average | 46% |
| Inwood | 2,573 | 70.9 | 8 | Higher Than Average | 42% |
| West Village | 3,024 | 86.4 | 1 | Higher Than Average | 38% |
| Lower East Side | 4,571 | 93 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 35% |
| Chelsea | 6,727 | 96.5 | 0 | Higher Than Average | 31% |
| Greenwich Village | 3,309 | 96.9 | 1 | Higher Than Average | 27% |
| Harlem | 12,706 | 97.4 | 26 | Much Higher Than Average | 23% |
| East Harlem | 12,459 | 100.1 | 20 | Much Higher Than Average | 19% |
| Hell's Kitchen | 6,587 | 110.7 | 5 | Much Higher Than Average | 15% |
| Tribeca | 3,467 | 136.5 | 0 | Much Higher Than Average | 12% |
| SoHo | 4,502 | 193.3 | 0 | High Activity Area | 8% |
| Flatiron | 7,293 | 219.6 | 2 | High Activity Area | 4% |
| Midtown (this page) | 12,137 | 474.6 | 4 | High Activity Area | 0% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page come from NYPD Complaint Data, Shooting Incident Data and Arrest Data published on NYC Open Data, refreshed periodically. 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 Midtown.
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 Midtown's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 25,575) only against the other neighborhoods we track in Manhattan, so it is borough-relative rather than city-wide. Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife districts with few residents rank high. The borough averages on this page apply the borough's crimes per resident to Midtown's population.
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 Midtown Safety
Is Midtown safe?
Midtown has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track, or 474.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. DwellCheck rates it "High Activity Area" — among the highest activity areas — from 12,137 NYPD complaint records and 4 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents are down 6.7% year-over-year. Safety varies block by block, so read this as neighborhood context rather than a verdict on any single street.
What is the crime rate in Midtown?
Midtown recorded 12,137 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (25,575 residents) that is 474.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track. Of those, 4,142 were felonies and 651 were violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery or felony assault). Crimes are counted where they were reported, so commercial and nightlife blocks push the rate up in districts with few residents.
What are the most common crimes in Midtown?
The most common crimes in Midtown are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (3,897 incidents, 32.1% of total); 2. GRAND LARCENY (1,962 incidents, 16.2% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (928 incidents, 7.6% of total).
Is Midtown safer than the Manhattan average?
Midtown has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track. It had 516% more incidents than the borough average (12,137 vs. a borough average of 1,970 for a neighborhood of the same population, 25,575 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 474.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in Midtown?
Crime in Midtown has improved by 6.7% year-over-year, dropping from 13,007 to 12,137 incidents. The trend is classified as "improving."
What do 311 complaints say about Midtown?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 4,088 noise complaints (very high per resident), 42 rodent complaints (moderate) and 391 sanitation complaints (very high). Each label compares the rate per resident (2020 Census) with the other NYC neighborhoods we track. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is Midtown safe at night?
Night safety in Midtown varies by block. About 26.9% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Midtown recorded 4 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Midtown safe for families?
For families considering Midtown: the neighborhood recorded 4,088 noise complaints (very high per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 42 rodent reports. It has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track. 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. Midtown has the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track, with 12,137 incidents. Compare all Manhattan neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see each one's crimes per 1,000 residents, shootings, and borough percentile. Crime data is NYPD Complaint Data via NYC Open Data.
Can you walk around Midtown at night?
Midtown is classified as "High Activity Area" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 4 shooting incidents and 12,137 total crime incidents — 516% 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 Midtown dangerous?
By NYPD data, Midtown is rated "High Activity Area", with the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track. 12,137 crime incidents over 12 months, improved by 6.7% year-over-year, dropping from 13,007 to 12,137 incidents. Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building, which counts NYPD complaints within a 300-meter radius.
What parts of Midtown should I avoid?
NYPD complaint records carry approximate incident coordinates, but a neighborhood total can't tell you which blocks drive it, so we don't publish an "avoid this street" list. For a specific block, use DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which counts NYPD complaint records within a 300m 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 Midtown a good place to live?
Midtown is considered a high-activity area, with the highest crime rate per resident of the 27 Manhattan neighborhoods we track. Incidents are trending down with 12,137 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 Midtown to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Midtown
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Midtown.
Search an Address in MidtownCompare Midtown with Nearby Manhattan Crime Rates
The Manhattan neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to Midtown's.