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D

Is Elmira, New York Safe?

Population 26,089 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Elmira has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 263.1 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,889 per 100K.

Elmira Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricElmiraNew York AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate399.6320.4363.8
Property Crime Rate2230.92030.01,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate227.0--268.2
Theft Rate1889.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate367.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

263.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

400/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2231/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Elmira

Violent crime in Elmira is close to the national average. The rate of 399.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2230.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,889 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Elmira Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault227
085% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery51
081% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary408
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,889
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft367
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Elmira Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elmira
399.6
State
320.4
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elmira
2230.9
State
2030.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elmira Safety

Is Elmira safe?
Not especially. Elmira earns a D with a crime rate of 263.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Elmira?
263.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 399.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2230.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Elmira safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Elmira's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,889 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Elmira?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Elmira generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Elmira police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Elmira?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Elmira's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Elmira compare to other cities in New York?
Below average for the state. Elmira ranks behind about 86% of New York cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Elmira to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Elmira?
Bad. A D grade and 263.1 per-thousand rate put Elmira below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 400 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Elmira?
399.6 per 100,000, which is 10% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (227), robbery (51), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in New York

Similar-sized communities in New York. Compare crime rates across the state.

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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