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D+

Is Oswego, New York Safe?

Population 17,024 · Safer than 23% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 17,024, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Oswego earns a D+ with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,708 per 100K.

Oswego Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOswegoNew York AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate370.2320.4363.8
Property Crime Rate2104.32030.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate284.0--268.2
Theft Rate1708.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate501.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

247.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

370/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2104/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Oswego

Violent crime in Oswego is close to the national average. The rate of 370.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2104.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,708 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Oswego Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault284
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery62
098% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary326
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,708
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft501
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Oswego Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Oswego
370.2
State
320.4
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Oswego
2104.3
State
2030.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Oswego Safety

Is Oswego safe?
Not especially. Oswego earns a D+ with a crime rate of 247.4 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 Oswego?
247.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 370.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2104.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Oswego safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Oswego's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,708 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Oswego?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Oswego generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Oswego police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Oswego?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Oswego's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Oswego compare to other cities in New York?
Below average for the state. Oswego ranks behind about 77% of New York cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Oswego 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 Oswego?
Bad. A D+ grade and 247.4 per-thousand rate put Oswego below 77% of US cities. Violent crime at 370 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Oswego?
370.2 per 100,000, which is 2% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (284), robbery (62), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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View all New York city safety grades

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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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