2023’s Home Burglary Statistics: How Safe Is Your Home?

If you want to keep your home safe, it’s important to know about burglary stats.

In this article, we’ll look at the latest data and answer some common questions, like how often burglaries happen, who the burglars tend to be, and which states are most at risk.

Come with us as we explore the facts and figures behind home security in recent years.

Let’s dive in!

How Many Burglaries Occur?

• 899,781 burglaries occurred in the US in 2021, an estimate based on the 2021 burglary rate and the US population of 331.9 million that year.
• 416,151 residential burglaries were reported in 2021, accounting for 46% of the total burglary offenses.
• Based on the most recent FBI data, the burglary rate in the United States is 271 cases per 100,000 people.

Did you know that the number of US burglaries has decreased in the last 20 years? Check out the graph below – it shows 2.3 times more burglary cases in 2001 than in 2021.

TOP 5 States With the Most Home Burglaries

You know what’s interesting?

The states with the most burglaries per capita have one thing in common – poverty.

New Mexico

Did you know that New Mexico has the highest rate of burglaries per capita?

That’s right, with 649 incidents per 100,000 people, it’s definitely a cause for concern. It’s possible that the high poverty rate in the state (18.4% compared to the national average of 11.6%) could be contributing to the problem.

On a more positive note, Governor Lujan Grisham recently signed a law to make penalties for certain crimes stricter. Plus, $2 million has been allocated to help reduce crime in the area. Hopefully, this will help improve the situation.

Oklahoma

Did you know that Oklahoma has the second-highest burglary rate in the US?

That’s pretty alarming, with 613 offenses per 100,000 people. They tried to reform the sentencing guidelines in 2018 to create a less severe third-degree burglary category. Still, it’s hard to say whether that will help much.

Apparently, harsher punishments don’t necessarily deter crime, according to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Instead, it might be the high poverty rate of 15.6% in Oklahoma that’s the real problem.

Arkansas

Did you know that Arkansas has the third-highest burglary rate in the country?

That’s right, it’s at 523 burglaries per 100,000 people. It’s possible that some of these burglaries are committed out of necessity since the state has a poverty rate of 16.3% – which is almost 41% higher than the national average.

Washington

Did you know that Washington has a lower burglary rate than Arkansas? 

It’s true – 522 per 100,000 residents.

But that’s not the only crime Washingtonians should be worried about.

According to the annual report by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, violent crime has increased by 12% this year, and the number of police officers has decreased by 4.4%.

So, it’s important to keep a watchful eye out for anything suspicious and do our part to keep our communities safe.

Louisiana

Did you know Louisiana is the fifth state with the highest burglary rate?

It’s not surprising, considering the state has a large number of people living in poverty, with a poverty rate of 19.6%, which is almost 70% higher than the national average. And that’s not all; Louisiana is also facing a police staffing crisis.

In fact, the New Orleans Police Department is so short-staffed that it’s now hiring civilians to issue traffic citations in 2022. It’s no wonder that Louisiana’s burglary rate is the fifth highest in the country, at 510 per 100,000 residents.

US Cities With the Most Home Burglaries

Did you know Texas had the most reported burglaries compared to any other state? It’s true!

Texas had a whopping 91,628 cases reported. Following behind were Washington with 39,475, North Carolina and Ohio with 36,508 each, and Colorado with 27,867.

Home Burglary Statistics in the TOP 10 US Cities

We looked at data from police departments in the top 10 most populated cities in the US in 2022 to see how much burglary went down in each area. Then, we compared these stats to figure out which cities were hit the hardest and which ones were safest.

Profile of Burglars: Who Commits Burglary? 

2021 arrest data published by the FBI shows that most burglary offenders are white men between ages 31-40:

• 68% of people arrested for burglary offenses were white.
• Men accounted for 81.4%, and women accounted for 18.6% of all burglary arrests.
• The age groups between 21-30 and 31-40 accounted for 28.8% and 31.6% of burglary arrests, respectively.

Burglary is a type of crime where someone takes advantage of an opportunity to commit a crime without planning beforehand. Burglars often spot their targets while they’re in the area for non-criminal reasons. It’s common for burglars to live close to their targets; sometimes, they even know their victims.

• According to the US Department of Justice, burglars personally knew their victims in 30% of cases.
• In 54% of burglary arrests, the offender lived within 2 miles of the victim’s home.

Home Burglary Statistics by Day

Did you know that most home burglaries happen during the week? 

Apparently, 70% of all residential break-ins occur on weekdays, with the remaining 30% taking place on the weekend.

Makes sense, right?

There are more days during the week, so there’s more opportunities for thieves to strike.

Plus, it’s possible that burglars target homes during the day when most people are at work.

The chances of your house getting burgled depend on the day of the week as well.

Apparently, according to research by a cooperative insurer, Fridays are the most popular day for burglars. Also, around 40% of burglaries occur during the day, while the remaining 60% happen during the evening or at night. 

When Do Most Burglaries Occur?

You know, burglaries can happen any time of day or night, but there are certain times when they’re more likely to occur. 

Vivint, a home security company, did a study on criminal activity in 13 major cities across the US and found that most property crimes happen during the day or early evening when people are out and about.

The study concluded that most property crimes occur during the day or early evening, between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., when people leave their homes for work, school, or other daily activities.

The busiest time for burglars is between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and they account for over 20.4% of all burglaries during that time.

How Do Burglars Enter a Home?

Burglars usually go for easy access to homes, like open doors or windows. ADT, a home security company, shared that these are the most common ways they break in:

• 34% of burglars use the front door – just twist the knob and walk in.
• 23% use first-floor open windows.
• 22% use the back door.
• 10% use other places.
• 9% enter through the garage.
• 2% enter through the second-floor windows.

Did you know that KGW, the NBC station in Portland, went and talked to a bunch of convicted burglars in the Oregon Department of Corrections? They wanted to find out how these guys were able to break into homes.

Here’re some interesting findings:

1. Burglars usually get into houses through open doors or windows.
2. You know what’s interesting? If you lock up all your doors and windows, burglars tend to kick in the door instead of smashing a window. Kicking in the door makes less noise and is safer for the burglar.
3. Apparently, all burglars are saying that they knock on the door before breaking in. If someone actually answers, they play dumb or pretend to be someone else before making a run for it.

Home Burglary Statistics By Room

Did you know that most burglars head straight for the master bedroom when they break into a home? Yup, that’s where they think you’re hiding all your valuables, so they go there first around 75% of the time.

And get this – almost 16% of burglars even check the bathroom for goodies!

If you have an office or study, you might want to be extra careful, because about 26% of burglars would try to find valuables there.

But hey, don’t forget about the living room either – 19% of burglars said they’d start their search there.

Keep these stats in mind, and make sure you’re hiding your stuff in a clever spot!

What Items Do Burglars Look For?

1. Purses / Wallets / Money / Cards: stolen in 40% of burglaries

Did you know that burglars are most likely to snatch your wallet, purse, cash, or cards during a break-in?

Yup, it’s true – in almost half of all home burglaries between 2019 and 2022, these items were stolen. These crooks like to work fast, so they’ll grab whatever they can find that’s easy to take. And because cash can’t be traced, it’s a favorite target for these sneaky thieves.

They’ll even check in all the nooks and crannies you wouldn’t expect, like under the mattress and inside cupboards. So, it’s important to be extra careful where you stash your valuables!

2. Jewellery / Watches: stolen in 32% of burglaries

Jewellery and watches are the next most commonly stolen items during home burglaries. The right items can be of high value and are usually easy for thieves to conceal and take.

3. Computer / Computer equipment: stolen in 23% of burglaries

Laptops, tablets, and game consoles are among the most commonly taken items during residential break-ins. These items are usually easy to carry and resell for a high price, making them favorable for burglars compared to heavy TVs and PCs.

How to Deter Burglars From Your Home?

All things considered, worried about the safety of your home?

No need to fret, we’ve got you covered.

Check out our ultimate guide to deterring burglars. We’ve got all the latest technology and time-tested methods to fortify your home’s defenses.

Read on and take that first step towards a more secure home!

Conclusion: Home Burglary Statistics

The latest burglary statistics for 2023 are out, and they paint a disturbing picture of residential security in the US.

There were nearly 900,000 burglaries, and almost half of them were in people’s homes.

The data shows that most burglars are white men between 31 and 40. Knowing this can help us be more aware of potential risks.

It’s not just a national issue, though. Some states, like New Mexico, have it worse than others, with a burglary rate of 649 incidents per 100,000 people. That’s really high, especially in areas with high poverty rates.

But there are things we can do to protect ourselves.

Investing in advanced security systems and fortifying entry points can help. And with all the technology available to us these days, we can be more informed and efficient in keeping our homes safe.

10 Key Home Burglary Statistics

1. Total Burglaries (US in 2021): 899,781 burglaries occurred in the United States in 2021.
2. Residential Burglaries: Residential burglaries accounted for 46% of the total burglary offenses in 2021, with 416,151 reported cases.
3. Burglary Rate: The burglary rate in the United States was 271 cases per 100,000 people, based on the most recent FBI data.
4. Burglary Trends: Over the past two decades, the number of burglaries in the U.S. has decreased significantly, with 2021 having 2.3 times fewer cases than in 2001.
5. Top States for Burglaries: States with the highest burglary rates per capita included New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Washington, and Louisiana.
6. Common Entry Points: Burglars frequently enter homes through the front door (34%), first-floor open windows (23%), and back doors (22%).
7. Burglar Demographics: Most burglary offenders are white men between the ages of 31-40, with 68% of burglary arrests involving white individuals.
8. Preferred Time for Burglaries: Approximately 70% of residential break-ins occur on weekdays, with the busiest time for burglars being between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
9. Items Targeted: Commonly stolen items during burglaries include purses/wallets/money/cards (40%), jewelry/watches (32%), and computers/computer equipment (23%).
10. Home Security: Investing in security systems and reinforcing entry points is recommended to deter burglars.

FAQ: Home Burglary Statistics

Sources

• Statista
• Police Journal
• Arizona State University
• SafeHome
• KGW
• NBC New York
• WASPC
• ADT
• World Population Review