It may come as a surprise that Americans spend more than $20 billion each year on security devices and systems to safeguard their property and themselves. Furthermore, there are various home burglary facts and statistics that you may find interesting.
Melissa Veseli
Data Scientist
Blerina Miftari
Sr. Content Editor
Last Updated: 14.03.2023
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To give readers a better understanding of the implications of burglary, we've gathered some significant statistics on the subject. These include information on the financial toll it takes on victims, the places and items that are most commonly targeted, and the chances of being burglarized again. These numbers provide insight into the impact of burglary on individuals and communities.
The latest report in the US indicates that out of the total 128.58 million households, 1,230,149 burglaries were reported.
During the day, 65% of burglaries occur.
You are 300% more likely to experience a break-in if you don't have a home security system.
The majority of burglars, 65%, are acquainted with their victims.
On average, a burglary results in a loss of $2799.
Only 13% of burglaries are likely to be solved by the police.
The front door is the point of entry for 34% of burglars.
The back door is used by 22% of burglars as their point of entry.
Out of the total 126.22 million households, there were 1,401,840 burglaries reported last year.
On average, a burglary occurs in the US every 30 seconds.
The majority of burglaries, 93%, do not involve any violence.
Professional burglars are responsible for only 15% of all burglaries.
A mere 12% of home invasions are premeditated.
Typically, a burglary lasts for a duration of 8 to 10 minutes.
On average, car owners suffer a loss of $8,407 per theft.
Merely 25% of the population in the United States possess a home security system.
The probability of experiencing a burglary is higher for renters than for homeowners.
Acts of violence are involved in only 7% of incidents related to burglary.
US cities saw significant changes in burglary rates. Houston had the highest burglaries but decreased by 52%, while Denver increased by 61%. This section summarizes national burglary rate changes.
Every region in the country experienced a decrease in the estimated number of burglaries in 2019.
Burglary rates in the Northeast region decreased by 13.5%.
There was a 10.3% decrease in burglary rates in the Midwest region.
Burglary decreased by 9.4% in the West region.
In the South region, burglary decreased by 8.4%. The nationwide trend of decline was similar for all property crimes, which reduced by 4.1%.
The United States experienced an overall decline in burglaries of 9.9% during this period. Houston ranked first with the highest total number of burglaries in 2021, with Austin and Seattle following closely behind.
In Houston, TX, which had a population of 15,857,146, there was a 52% decrease in burglaries.
There was a 42% decrease in burglaries in Seattle, WA, which had a population of 10,469,96927.
The burglary rate in Las Vegas, NV, with a population of 7,302,822, increased by 12%.
There was a 14% decrease in the burglary rate in San Antonio, TX, which had a population of 7,954,386.
The burglary rate in Dallas, TX, which had a population of 9,439,686, decreased by 26%.
There was a 2.85% increase in the burglary rate in Oklahoma City, OK, which had a population of 6,0646,237.
The burglary rate in Denver, CO, which had a population of 5,227,834, increased by 61%.
There was a 75% decrease in burglaries in Memphis, TN, which had a population of 5,859,288.
This section presents the burglary rates of several states and Puerto Rico, as released by the FBI. The rates are based on the total population and burglary rate per 100,000 individuals, rather than the total number of burglaries. The states with the highest and lowest burglary rates are included in this list.
According to information released by the FBI, New Mexico had the highest burglary rate in 2021 among all states.
The list of states with the lowest burglary rates is rounded out by Puerto Rico and New Hampshire.
The rates mentioned above are different from the earlier table, as they take into account the total population and burglary rate per 100,000 individuals, rather than simply the total number of burglaries.
New Mexico had a burglary rate of 696.8, with a yearly decrease of 9.4%.
Oklahoma had a burglary rate of 671.7, with a yearly decrease of 2.6%.
Mississippi had a burglary rate of 627, with a yearly decrease of 8.2%.
Arkansas had a burglary rate of 599.6, with a yearly decrease of 7.5%.
Louisiana had a burglary rate of 579, with a yearly decrease of 13.8%.
South Carolina had a burglary rate of 533.4, with a yearly decrease of 9.5%.
Alabama had a burglary rate of 531.9, with a yearly decrease of 10.7%.
North Carolina had a burglary rate of 529.1, with a yearly decrease of 6.2%.
Nevada had a burglary rate of 503.5, with a yearly decrease of 14.1%.
Alaska had a burglary rate of 487.2, with a yearly decrease of 10.2%.
Washington had a burglary rate of 453.6, with a yearly decrease of 15.6%.
Tennessee had a burglary rate of 437.4, with a yearly decrease of 11.7%.
Missouri had a burglary rate of 430.4, with a yearly decrease of 3.7%.
Arizona had a burglary rate of 394.3, with a yearly decrease of 11.2%.
This section discusses various aspects related to the financial and emotional impact of burglaries, including the average amount lost by burglary victims, the emotional toll on victims, and the likelihood of repeat burglaries. It also covers factors that may increase the likelihood of burglaries, such as income levels, and the most commonly stolen items during burglaries.
On average, burglary victims lose $2,416.
Each year, victims of burglaries, both private and public, lose an estimated $3.4 billion in personal property.
In the survey conducted by SafeWise with 700 participants, 50% of them reported that the burglar stole and/or damaged irreplaceable items.
67% reported that they experienced an emotional and mental toll.
After the burglary, 63% of the survey participants reported having trouble sleeping, according to SafeWise's findings.
On average, car owners lose $8,407 per burglary incident, according to available data.
The Honda Civic is the most frequently stolen car in the United States.
Burglary is more likely to happen to renters than homeowners.
Only 13% of burglary cases are solved by the police department due to a lack of evidence or witnesses.
Following a "successful" burglary, the likelihood of intruders returning to target the same home again is high.
According to some studies, a mere 1.2% of burgled homes accounted for as much as 29% of all burglaries.
In many cases, repeat burglaries occur soon after the initial one, with approximately 25% happening within a week.
Additionally, a significant proportion of subsequent burglaries, approximately 51%, take place within a month after the first burglary.
Among homes that are burglarized, those with an annual income of less than $7500 are the most likely to have someone present during the burglary, with a rate of 65.7 per 1,000 homes.
Conversely, as the annual income of homes increases, the likelihood of someone being present during a burglary decreases.
High-value items such as electronics and personal belongings (including stamp collections, recreational equipment, clothing, luggage, bikes, or pets) are among the most commonly stolen items during a burglary.
Additionally, small and easily transportable items that can be quickly sold at a pawn shop for cash are also frequently taken during burglaries.
This section discusses various statistics related to burglaries, including the likelihood of the perpetrator being known to the victim, the duration of a typical burglary, the most common entry points for burglars, and the effectiveness of alarm systems in deterring burglars. It also provides information on the demographics of burglars and the frequency of armed burglaries.
Following an arrest, it has been found that 65.1% of individuals personally know the person who robbed them. This indicates that there is a significant possibility of your neighbor or acquaintance attempting to burglarize your property.
A mere 12% of all burglaries are premeditated or planned in advance.
A majority of burglars confess that breaking into a property is usually an impulsive act.
It has been found that in 95% of burglary cases, the perpetrator gains entry into the home by using force, resulting in physical damage to the homeowner's property.
Home invasions account for more than 60% of assaults, including the heinous crime of rape.
Studies on mapped areas of burglaries have revealed that burglars tend to target homes within a few miles of their own residence.
On average, a burglary lasts for only 8 to 10 minutes.
Typically, burglars are males who are under the age of 25.
As much as 85% of burglars are considered amateurs and resort to burglary out of desperation.
It has been found that approximately 65% of burglars know their victims.
Approximately 41% of the time, burglaries are committed on an impulse.
About 48% of burglars have revealed that they would steer clear of a home if they heard any noise coming from inside.
In cases of completed burglaries where household members were present, the likelihood of encountering an armed offender was 30%.
Conversely, the likelihood of encountering an unarmed offender in such situations was higher, at 63%.
According to research, 34% of burglars enter a home by simply twisting the doorknob and walking right in through the front door.
For 23% of burglars, a first-floor open window is the entry point of choice to gain access to a home.
Back doors provide entry for about 22% of burglars.
About 9% of burglars manage to gain entry to a home through the garage, while just 4% choose the basement as their point of entry.
While 12% of burglaries are planned in advance, 41% are impulsive decisions.
Additionally, a majority of burglars (83%) check for the presence of an alarm system.
60% would be deterred by the presence of an alarm system.
60.5% of burglaries were committed without the use of a weapon, while 30.1% involved the use of a weapon. In 9.3% of cases, the victim was uncertain if a weapon was involved.
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This section provides statistics and information on home security systems in the US, including the percentage of Americans who possess one, the impact of having one on burglary rates, and age-based trends in ownership.
Just 25% of Americans possess a home security system.
Burglaries in the US have seen a decline of 37% since 2008.
Houses lacking a security system are three times as prone to being targeted.
According to a survey, 34% of respondents said that they would reconsider burglarizing a home if they heard a dog barking.
Out of the Baby Boomer population aged between 56-76 years, only 12% have installed a home security system.
27% of individuals aged between 41-55 years old (Gen X) have a home security system installed in their homes.
Although only 27% of 41-55 year old people have a home security system, there is a significant increase in the percentage of people aged 26-40 with 45% of them having a home security system.
A home defense weapon is owned by 24% of people aged 56-76 years old (Baby Boomers).
Homes with a security system installed are three times less likely to be targeted by burglars than those without.
Having a home security system deters 60% of burglars from targeting your home.
Home security system owners have a high satisfaction rate of 95%.
Burglars tend to strike between 10 am and 3 pm as it's a convenient time when many homes are left unoccupied.