Phoenix, AZ, is a beautiful city with sunny weather all year and many natural features to enjoy. Whether you want to learn more about crime in Phoenix, are considering moving, or have been impacted by a criminal act, understanding more about the Phoenix, AZ, crime rate and the latest statistics can help you be prepared while safeguarding your property and rights. If you’ve been charged with a crime in Phoenix, contact a qualified Phoenix criminal defense attorney.
Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and also has the largest population in the state, at 1.6 million residents in the city limits. It is located in Maricopa County, in the southern central part of the state. Phoenix is known for its dry, temperate climate, and it gets more sunshine per day than any other major city in the U.S.
The crime rate of a location measures the amount of crime reported to law enforcement offices against the population of that area. To calculate the crime rate, officials divide the total number of reported crimes by the total number of people who live in that area. This shows how likely a resident is to be a victim of a crime, and it helps state and local officials make decisions about what kinds of programs, policies, and resources communities need.
Crime rates provide a greater overview of crime in a particular area. However, they are just one tool and do not necessarily provide a complete look at the crime in an area. Different sources may provide conflicting information, and some crimes are never reported and so are not reflected in official crime rates.
In 2024, the crime rate in Phoenix was about 34 crimes per 1,000 people. The Phoenix Police Department reported that, in 2024, crime was down 4% overall, and homicide was down about 28%, a significant drop. It also reported that juvenile crime was down from the previous year. It attributed the improvements to focusing on involvement in the community and working to increase trust in law enforcement.
The City of Phoenix’s count of reported crimes for 2024 is broken down into violent crimes and property crimes, by month, and by type of criminal charges. There were 25,516 total reported violent crimes and 31,483 total reported property crimes. These included:
In a violent crime, an individual uses force or the threat of force against another person. This can involve weapons but does not always. Examples of violent crimes are murder, sex crimes, robbery, and assault. Violent crimes are often viewed as more severe from a legal standpoint because they put people at a higher risk of physical harm. They may warrant felony charges and serious penalties, such as long prison sentences, high fines, and the loss of some civil rights.
Property crimes involve illegally taking, destroying, or vandalizing someone else’s property. These include burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Property crimes are often committed with the goal of financial gain, and some may be charged as misdemeanors, leading to less severe penalties. However, when a victim is threatened, injured, or killed in a property crime, it may be upgraded to a violent crime or be charged along with a separate violent crime charge.
The distinction between violent crime and property crime is important because the threat and impact of these kinds of offenses can be very different. Therefore, separating the data can be helpful for getting a clearer understanding of the overall impact on the residents of a city. It also helps law enforcement and policy-making officials decide where to allocate resources. For example, different interventions may be needed for high-theft areas than for high-assault areas.
A: The most common crime in Phoenix is larceny-theft. In 2024, there were 19,796 reported cases of larceny-theft in Phoenix. Larceny-theft is a crime where a person illegally takes someone else’s property without the owner’s consent and without the intent of returning it. It ranges from less serious charges, such as shoplifting or purse snatching, to serious offenses, like grand larceny or embezzlement.
A: You can check the crime rate in your area by using apps and websites that share statistics. Most larger cities, police departments, or sheriff’s departments share this data on their official websites. News outlets post updates as well, as do some companies, such as real estate brokers or security firms.
A: Phoenix is a moderately safe place to live compared with other cities of around the same size. The crime rate is relatively high when compared to the state and the U.S. as a whole, but it has been decreasing a little each year. In addition, the property crime rate is higher than the violent crime rate.
A: San Luis in southwest Arizona had the lowest crime rate in the most recent data. In San Luis, the crime rate is 1015 crimes per 100,000, with more property crimes than violent offenses. This was also the second year in a row that San Luis had the lowest crime rate in Arizona.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Phoenix, a skilled criminal defense lawyer at The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC can review the details of your case and determine your legal options. Your lawyer can offer a solid defense strategy and legal representation, whether that is negotiating a reduction in charges or fiercely arguing on your behalf in court. Contact our office today to set up an initial consultation and discuss your case.