CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D

Is Pawtucket, Rhode Island Safe?

Population 77,065 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Pawtucket faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,780 per 100K.

Pawtucket Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPawtucketRhode Island AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate348.6338.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2367.12112.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate264.0--268.2
Theft Rate1780.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate297.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

271.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

349/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2367/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Pawtucket

Violent crime in Pawtucket is close to the national average. The rate of 348.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2367.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,780 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Pawtucket Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault264
098% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery78
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary389
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,780
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft297
093% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Pawtucket Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pawtucket
348.6
State
338.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pawtucket
2367.1
State
2112.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Pawtucket Safety

Is Pawtucket safe?
Not especially. Pawtucket earns a D with a crime rate of 271.6 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 Pawtucket?
271.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 348.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2367.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Pawtucket safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Pawtucket's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,780 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Pawtucket?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Pawtucket generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Pawtucket police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Pawtucket?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Pawtucket's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Pawtucket compare to other cities in Rhode Island?
Below average for the state. Pawtucket ranks behind about 86% of Rhode Island cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Pawtucket to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Pawtucket?
Bad. A D grade and 271.6 per-thousand rate put Pawtucket below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 349 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Pawtucket?
348.6 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (264), robbery (78), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Rhode Island

Similar-sized communities in Rhode Island. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in Warwick84,187 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Cranston84,647 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in East Providence48,249 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Woonsocket44,580 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in Newport24,251 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Central Falls23,124 pop · Grade C-
View all Rhode Island city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Pawtucket

Get weekly safety updates for Pawtucket

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities