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C+

Is Burlington, Vermont Safe?

Population 44,019 · Safer than 40% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 44,019, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Burlington earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,263 per 100K.

Burlington Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBurlingtonVermont AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate224.8240.2363.8
Property Crime Rate1798.51910.81,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate174.0--268.2
Theft Rate1263.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate180.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

202.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

225/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1799/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Burlington

Violent crime in Burlington is below the national average. The rate of 224.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1798.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,263 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Burlington Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault174
065% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery37
058% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary313
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,263
090% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft180
057% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Burlington Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Burlington
224.8
State
240.2
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Burlington
1798.5
State
1910.8
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Burlington Safety

Is Burlington safe?
It depends on where in Burlington you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Burlington?
202.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 224.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1798.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Burlington safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Burlington has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Burlington?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Burlington generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Burlington police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Burlington?
Crime rates have held steady in Burlington, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C+ grade.
How does Burlington compare to other cities in Vermont?
Middle of the pack for Vermont. Burlington isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 47th percentile among Vermont cities.
How safe is Burlington to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Burlington?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 40th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Burlington?
224.8 per 100,000, which is 38% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (174), robbery (37), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Vermont

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

C-
See crime rates in South Burlington21,394 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Rutland15,363 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Essex Junction10,921 pop · Grade C
View all Vermont city safety grades

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

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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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