Is Washington Heights, Manhattan Safe? Crime Rate & NYPD Data (2026)
Washington Heights has a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods, or 62.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the safer half of Manhattan. DwellCheck rates it "Higher Than Average" — above-average incident activity — from 9,009 NYPD complaint records and 6 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (9,307 vs 9,009). 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 46,344 quality-of-life complaints in Washington Heights. Washington Heights is considered higher than average: it has a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods, but 6 shooting incidents in the past 12 months lower the rating. Incident levels are stable with 9,009 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 Washington Heights?
Washington Heights recorded 9,009 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (143,879 residents) that is 62.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods. Of those, 3,059 were felonies and 779 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.
Washington Heights Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
9,009
Past 12 months · 62.6 per 1,000 residents
Shooting Incidents
6
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
779
Murder, rape, robbery, felony assault
Year-over-Year Trend
↔ 3.2%
No significant change
* Borough rate: the borough's count per resident across the neighborhoods we track, applied to this neighborhood's 143,879 residents (2020 Census).
Most Common Crimes in Washington Heights
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,743 | 19.3% |
| harrassment 2 | 1,041 | 11.6% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 920 | 10.2% |
| dangerous drugs | 743 | 8.2% |
| grand larceny | 659 | 7.3% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 488 | 5.4% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 477 | 5.3% |
| felony assault | 457 | 5.1% |
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 (143,879 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
27,457
190.8 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
488
3.4 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
1,347
9.4 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Heat/Hot Water
17,052
118.5 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
5,024
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
2,161
43% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
2,849
57% of total
How Safe Is Washington Heights 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 (this page) | 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 | 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 Washington Heights.
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 Washington Heights's reported crimes per resident (its NTAs' 2020 Census population, 143,879) 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 Washington Heights'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 Washington Heights Safety
Is Washington Heights safe?
Washington Heights has a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods, or 62.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents. Measured per resident, it sits on the safer half of Manhattan. DwellCheck rates it "Higher Than Average" — above-average incident activity — from 9,009 NYPD complaint records and 6 shooting incidents over the 12 months ending June 2026, and incidents held roughly steady year-over-year (9,307 vs 9,009). 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 Washington Heights?
Washington Heights recorded 9,009 NYPD crime complaints over the 12 months ending June 2026. Against the 2020 Census population of its Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (143,879 residents) that is 62.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents, which is a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods. Of those, 3,059 were felonies and 779 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 Washington Heights?
The most common crimes in Washington Heights are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,743 incidents, 19.3% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (1,041 incidents, 11.6% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (920 incidents, 10.2% of total).
Is Washington Heights safer than the Manhattan average?
Washington Heights has a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 19% fewer incidents than the borough average (9,009 vs. a borough average of 11,082 for a neighborhood of the same population, 143,879 residents in the 2020 Census). That is 62.6 reported crimes per 1,000 residents.
How has crime changed in Washington Heights?
Crime in Washington Heights has remained stable year-over-year (9,307 vs 9,009 incidents). The trend is classified as "stable."
What do 311 complaints say about Washington Heights?
Over the past 12 months, 311 recorded 27,457 noise complaints (very high per resident), 488 rodent complaints (moderate) and 1,347 sanitation complaints (moderate). 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 Washington Heights safe at night?
Night safety in Washington Heights varies by block. About 41% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Washington Heights recorded 6 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is Washington Heights safe for families?
For families considering Washington Heights: the neighborhood recorded 27,457 noise complaints (very high per resident among the NYC neighborhoods we track) and 488 rodent reports. It has a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods. 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. Washington Heights has a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods, with 9,009 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 Washington Heights at night?
Washington Heights is classified as "Higher Than Average" by NYPD complaint data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 6 shooting incidents and 9,009 total crime incidents — 19% fewer 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 Washington Heights dangerous?
By NYPD data, Washington Heights is rated "Higher Than Average", with a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods. 9,009 crime incidents over 12 months, remained stable year-over-year (9,307 vs 9,009 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 Washington Heights 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 Washington Heights a good place to live?
Washington Heights is considered higher than average: it has a lower crime rate per resident than 54% of Manhattan neighborhoods, but 6 shooting incidents in the past 12 months lower the rating. Incident levels are stable with 9,009 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 Washington Heights to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in Washington Heights
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in Washington Heights.
Search an Address in Washington HeightsCompare Washington Heights with Nearby Manhattan Crime Rates
The Manhattan neighborhoods whose crime rate per resident is closest to Washington Heights's.