Is Washington Heights, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 6,560 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 419 shooting incidents, and 44,476 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, Washington Heights is below the Manhattan average for crime with incidents trending upward (152.7% increase year-over-year).
Washington Heights is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 64% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 6,560 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
6,560
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
419
72 fatal
Violent Crimes
1,072
2,332 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↑ 152.7%
152.7% more incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| petit larceny | 1,208 | 18.4% |
| harrassment 2 | 773 | 11.8% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 676 | 10.3% |
| dangerous drugs | 493 | 7.5% |
| grand larceny | 489 | 7.5% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 382 | 5.8% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 342 | 5.2% |
| felony assault | 333 | 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.
Noise Complaints
26,977
385.4 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
543
7.8 per 1,000 residents
Moderate
Sanitation Issues
0
0.0 per 1,000 residents
Low
Heat/Hot Water
16,956
242.2 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
5,291
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
2,286
43% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
2,957
56% of total
How Safe Is Washington Heights 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 | 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 (this page) | 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 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 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 Washington Heights Safety
Is Washington Heights safe?
Washington Heights is rated "High Activity Area" — Among the highest activity areas. Over the past 12 months, 6,560 crime incidents were recorded, including 419 shooting incidents. Washington Heights is considered a high-activity area, ranking safer than 64% of the borough. Incidents are trending up with 6,560 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in Washington Heights?
The most common crimes in Washington Heights are: 1. PETIT LARCENY (1,208 incidents, 18.4% of total); 2. HARRASSMENT 2 (773 incidents, 11.8% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (676 incidents, 10.3% of total).
Is Washington Heights safer than the Manhattan average?
Washington Heights is safer than 64% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 27% fewer incidents than the borough average (6,560 vs. a borough average of 9,000).
How has crime changed in Washington Heights?
Crime in Washington Heights has worsened by 152.7% year-over-year, rising from 2,596 to 6,560 incidents. The trend is classified as "worsening."
What do 311 complaints say about Washington Heights?
311 data shows 26,977 Very High complaints, 543 Moderate complaints, and 0 Low complaints. 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 44.1% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. Washington Heights recorded 419 shooting incidents (72 fatal) 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 26,977 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 543 rodent reports. It ranks safer than 64% 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. Washington Heights ranks at the 64th percentile with 6,560 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 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 Heights