CityCheck Safety Data Sources
CityCheck safety grades are based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data, covering 3,212 US cities with populations over 10,000. Crime rates are expressed per 100,000 residents using Census Bureau population figures. The data represents reported crime from law enforcement agencies nationwide, with 2023 FBI UCR figures as the current baseline.
Primary Data Sources
| Source | What It Provides |
|---|---|
| FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program | Crime counts by category (violent and property), reported by law enforcement agencies. National averages, city-level rates for participating agencies. |
| U.S. Census Bureau | City population estimates used to calculate per-capita crime rates. Population is the denominator in every rate calculation. |
| State-Level Crime Reports | State average crime rates derived from aggregating all tracked cities within each state. Used for state-level comparison on city pages. |
About the FBI UCR Program
The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program is the nation's most comprehensive and longest-running source of crime statistics. Established in 1929, it collects data from law enforcement agencies that voluntarily submit information on crimes reported to them.
The UCR Program tracks two major categories of crime. Violent crime includes murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crime includes burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Over 18,000 law enforcement agencies participate, covering the vast majority of the US population. Data is published annually, typically in the fall, with figures reflecting the prior calendar year.
The NIBRS Transition
The FBI has been transitioning from the legacy Summary Reporting System (SRS) to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). NIBRS provides more detailed data about each criminal incident, including information about victims, offenders, and circumstances.
This transition temporarily reduced the number of agencies reporting in 2021 and 2022, as some agencies had not yet migrated. By 2023, participation has substantially recovered. CityCheck monitors this transition and adjusts its coverage accordingly.
Direct FBI Overrides for Major Cities
For the 33 most-searched cities, CityCheck uses crime rates directly calibrated to actual FBI UCR data rather than the statistical model. These cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Nashville, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Portland, Las Vegas, Detroit, Memphis, St. Louis, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Charlotte, Irvine, Naperville, Scottsdale, Plano, Gilbert, and Honolulu.
For all other cities, the model generates rates based on population, state-level patterns, and city-specific variation, calibrated against these known benchmarks.
Coverage and Limitations
CityCheck covers 3,212 US cities with populations of 10,000 or more. This threshold ensures sufficient statistical reliability and consistent FBI reporting.
What is covered
- 3,212 US cities with 10,000+ population
- All 50 states
- Eight crime categories (4 violent, 4 property)
- National and state-level comparisons
- Year-over-year trend indicators
What is NOT covered
- Rural areas and unincorporated communities
- Towns with fewer than 10,000 residents
- Neighborhood or zip code level data (citywide only)
- Unreported crime (FBI data reflects reported crime only)
- Federal crimes, white-collar crime, and cybercrime
- Sexual assault (excluded from current grading due to inconsistent reporting)
Known limitations
- FBI UCR data is voluntarily reported; not all agencies report every year
- Reporting methodologies can vary between agencies
- Small cities may show more volatile rates due to small-number effects
- CityCheck grades should be used as one input among many, not as the sole basis for safety decisions
- CityCheck is not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance
Update Schedule
CityCheck updates its data in alignment with the FBI's annual release cycle:
| Event | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| FBI releases annual UCR data | September-October each year |
| CityCheck integrates new data | Within 30 days of FBI release |
| Census population estimates updated | Annually, with FBI data refresh |
| Current data year | 2023 FBI UCR |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does CityCheck get its crime data?
What is the FBI UCR Program?
How current is CityCheck's data?
Does CityCheck cover every city in the United States?
What are the limitations of CityCheck's data?
CityCheck safety grades use FBI Uniform Crime Report data and U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. This data sources page was last updated October 2026.
Know before you go
CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.
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