GITNUXREPORT 2026

Copper Theft Statistics

Copper theft costs the U.S. billions annually in widespread and expensive infrastructure damage.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2022, copper theft caused over $1 billion in damages to U.S. electric utilities nationwide.

Statistic 2

Copper theft in California alone cost utilities $58 million in repairs and replacements in 2023.

Statistic 3

The average cost per copper theft incident to Southern California Edison was $28,000 in 2022.

Statistic 4

Nationally, insurance claims for copper theft-related damages reached $850 million in 2021.

Statistic 5

PG&E reported $40 million in copper theft damages in Northern California for 2022.

Statistic 6

Copper wire theft from telecom infrastructure cost AT&T $10 million in Q4 2023.

Statistic 7

In Arizona, copper theft led to $15 million in public infrastructure repair costs in 2023.

Statistic 8

The U.S. rail industry lost $5 million to copper theft from signaling systems in 2022.

Statistic 9

Chicago reported $12 million in copper theft damages to streetlights and traffic signals in 2023.

Statistic 10

Florida utilities faced $20 million in copper theft repair costs during 2022 hurricane recovery.

Statistic 11

National average repair cost for a single copper theft from a utility pole is $25,000.

Statistic 12

Copper theft from EV charging stations cost $3 million across U.S. cities in 2023.

Statistic 13

In Texas, ERCOT reported $8 million in grid-related copper theft damages in 2022.

Statistic 14

Insurance payouts for copper theft in construction sites hit $45 million in 2023.

Statistic 15

Memphis Light, Gas and Water lost $7 million to copper theft in 2023.

Statistic 16

Annual U.S. economic loss from copper theft estimated at $2.5 billion including indirect costs.

Statistic 17

Duke Energy's copper theft repairs in Carolinas cost $18 million in 2022.

Statistic 18

Copper theft from data centers caused $4 million in downtime costs for tech firms in 2023.

Statistic 19

In 2023, New York City transit system spent $9 million fixing copper theft damages.

Statistic 20

Average global copper theft insurance premium increase was 15% in 2023 due to rising claims.

Statistic 21

Portland General Electric incurred $6 million in copper theft costs in 2022.

Statistic 22

U.S. hospitals lost $2 million to copper theft from backup generators in 2023.

Statistic 23

Copper theft from solar farms cost $12 million nationwide in 2023.

Statistic 24

In Georgia, copper theft damaged air conditioning units costing $5 million in repairs.

Statistic 25

National Grid UK reported equivalent of $30 million USD in copper theft damages in 2022.

Statistic 26

Copper theft from wind turbines led to $1.5 million in U.S. repair costs in 2023.

Statistic 27

Seattle City Light's copper theft expenses reached $4.2 million in 2023.

Statistic 28

Indirect economic losses from power outages due to copper theft totaled $500 million in U.S. 2022.

Statistic 29

Copper theft in oil refineries cost $10 million in safety equipment replacements in 2023.

Statistic 30

Total U.S. scrap metal theft economic impact including copper was $1.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 31

Copper thefts most common in California, with 25% of U.S. total incidents.

Statistic 32

Chicago ranks #1 U.S. city for copper thefts, 4,500 cases in 2023.

Statistic 33

Memphis, TN had 2,100 copper thefts, highest per capita in 2023.

Statistic 34

Arizona deserts saw 40% of state copper thefts near Phoenix metro.

Statistic 35

Florida's Miami-Dade County reported 800 copper thefts in 2023.

Statistic 36

Texas cities like Houston and Dallas accounted for 60% of state thefts.

Statistic 37

Northern California PG&E territory: 70% of state copper thefts.

Statistic 38

UK's Birmingham and Manchester hotspots with 5,000 combined thefts.

Statistic 39

New York City boroughs saw Brooklyn leading with 600 subway copper thefts.

Statistic 40

Portland, OR urban areas 80% of city's 650 copper thefts.

Statistic 41

Atlanta metro area 1,200 AC copper thefts in Georgia 2023.

Statistic 42

Seattle's downtown and industrial zones 60% of 400 thefts.

Statistic 43

Los Angeles County 1,500 utility pole copper thefts in 2023.

Statistic 44

Denver, CO reported 300 copper thefts mostly in suburbs.

Statistic 45

Nashville, TN industrial parks saw 500 copper thefts.

Statistic 46

Phoenix suburbs like Mesa 45% of Arizona's copper thefts.

Statistic 47

Baltimore, MD ports area highest with 400 thefts.

Statistic 48

Las Vegas strip hotels reported 250 AC copper thefts.

Statistic 49

Detroit auto plants vicinity 600 copper thefts in 2023.

Statistic 50

San Diego coastal areas 300 utility copper thefts.

Statistic 51

Orlando, FL tourist zones 400 thefts from signs and lights.

Statistic 52

Philadelphia industrial districts 500 copper thefts.

Statistic 53

Sacramento rural-urban mix 200 PG&E copper thefts.

Statistic 54

Kansas City rail yards 350 copper thefts nationwide hotspot.

Statistic 55

In 2023, reported copper theft incidents in the U.S. increased by 25% from 2022.

Statistic 56

California saw over 2,000 copper thefts from utility infrastructure in 2023.

Statistic 57

National Insurance Crime Bureau reported 18,000 copper theft claims in 2022.

Statistic 58

Copper thefts from PG&E equipment rose 300% since 2020, reaching 1,300 incidents in 2023.

Statistic 59

U.S. railroads experienced 1,200 copper thefts in 2022, up 20% from prior year.

Statistic 60

Chicago police logged 4,500 copper theft reports in 2023.

Statistic 61

Arizona Public Service reported 500+ copper thefts in 2023, double from 2021.

Statistic 62

Florida saw a 40% rise in copper thefts, totaling 1,800 incidents in 2022.

Statistic 63

Copper thefts nationwide spiked 15% during summer 2023 due to high scrap prices.

Statistic 64

Memphis had 2,100 copper thefts in 2023, leading U.S. cities per capita.

Statistic 65

U.K. copper theft incidents reached 28,000 in 2022, up 10%.

Statistic 66

EV charger copper thefts reported 500 times across U.S. in first half 2023.

Statistic 67

Texas grid operators noted 900 copper thefts in 2023, 25% increase.

Statistic 68

Construction site copper thefts rose 35% to 12,000 incidents in 2023.

Statistic 69

Solar panel wiring thefts hit 300 farms in U.S., 2023.

Statistic 70

NYC subway copper thefts totaled 1,200 in 2023.

Statistic 71

Duke Energy recorded 800 copper thefts in 2022 across service area.

Statistic 72

Portland saw 650 copper theft reports in 2023, up 50%.

Statistic 73

National trend: copper thefts correlate 80% with copper price fluctuations.

Statistic 74

Hospitals reported 200 copper thefts nationwide in 2023.

Statistic 75

Wind farm copper thefts increased to 150 sites in 2023.

Statistic 76

Georgia AC unit copper thefts reached 1,500 in summer 2023.

Statistic 77

Seattle logged 400 copper thefts from streetlights in 2023.

Statistic 78

U.S. data centers saw 100 copper theft attempts in 2023.

Statistic 79

Oil pipeline copper thefts totaled 250 incidents in 2023.

Statistic 80

Scrap yards bought stolen copper from 5,000 thefts in 2023.

Statistic 81

U.S. utilities installed 50,000 anti-theft devices on poles in 2023.

Statistic 82

California mandated scrap yard ID checks reducing thefts by 20%.

Statistic 83

PG&E's 24/7 theft hotline led to 300 arrests in 2023.

Statistic 84

Chicago deployed 1,000 surveillance cameras on high-risk poles.

Statistic 85

National Copper Theft Task Force recovered $10 million in stolen metal.

Statistic 86

Arizona's $5,000 reward program nabbed 100 thieves.

Statistic 87

Utilities switched 30% of wiring to theft-resistant alloys.

Statistic 88

Memphis passed ordinance fining scrap buyers $10,000 for no ID.

Statistic 89

Drones used for 500 pole inspections reducing theft vulnerability.

Statistic 90

UK's "Stop Copper Theft" app reported 2,000 incidents leading to arrests.

Statistic 91

EV stations added locked copper covers in 80% of new installs.

Statistic 92

Texas railroads fenced 200 miles of track hotspots.

Statistic 93

Construction sites now use GPS-tracked copper reels, 40% drop.

Statistic 94

Solar farms buried 50% of wiring underground.

Statistic 95

NYC MTA coated rails with anti-cut coatings.

Statistic 96

Duke Energy patrols increased 50%, thefts down 15%.

Statistic 97

Portland's community watch program caught 50 thieves.

Statistic 98

AI cameras detected 200 theft attempts preemptively.

Statistic 99

Georgia AC units fitted with $50 alarm tags.

Statistic 100

Seattle lit up 1,000 dark alleys to deter thefts.

Statistic 101

75% of U.S. copper thefts committed by organized scrap metal rings.

Statistic 102

Average age of arrested copper thieves is 28 years old, mostly males.

Statistic 103

40% of copper theft perpetrators have prior scrap metal convictions.

Statistic 104

Gang-affiliated groups responsible for 30% of utility copper thefts.

Statistic 105

Repeat offenders account for 60% of copper theft arrests in Chicago.

Statistic 106

25% of thieves use vehicles to haul over 100 lbs of copper per incident.

Statistic 107

Homeless individuals commit 15% of opportunistic copper thefts.

Statistic 108

Professional scrapper networks launder 70% of stolen copper through 500+ yards.

Statistic 109

Juveniles under 18 involved in 10% of copper thefts, often recruited.

Statistic 110

Mexican cartels linked to 20% of Southwest U.S. copper thefts.

Statistic 111

85% of arrested copper thieves are U.S. citizens, per FBI data.

Statistic 112

Drug addicts comprise 35% of casual copper thieves for quick cash.

Statistic 113

Organized crews use ladders and cutters in 90% of pole thefts.

Statistic 114

50% of Memphis copper thefts by local known scrapper families.

Statistic 115

Female perpetrators only 5% of total copper theft arrests.

Statistic 116

Ex-construction workers 20% of skilled copper thieves.

Statistic 117

International buyers drive 40% of theft via scrap exports.

Statistic 118

Social media used by 30% of thieves to sell stolen copper.

Statistic 119

65% of perpetrators target night hours for copper thefts.

Statistic 120

Pawn shop operators complicit in 15% of copper fencing cases.

Statistic 121

Copper theft rings average 5-10 members per operation.

Statistic 122

55% of thieves equipped with insulated gloves and bolt cutters.

Statistic 123

Undocumented workers 12% of Southwest copper theft arrests.

Statistic 124

Online marketplaces like Craigslist host 25% of stolen copper ads.

Statistic 125

Electricians moonlighting as thieves 8% of professional cases.

1/125

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Imagine an invisible tax adding billions to your utility bills, as copper theft isn't just a crime but a multi-billion dollar drain on critical infrastructure and everyday Americans.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, copper theft caused over $1 billion in damages to U.S. electric utilities nationwide.
Copper theft in California alone cost utilities $58 million in repairs and replacements in 2023.
The average cost per copper theft incident to Southern California Edison was $28,000 in 2022.
In 2023, reported copper theft incidents in the U.S. increased by 25% from 2022.
California saw over 2,000 copper thefts from utility infrastructure in 2023.
National Insurance Crime Bureau reported 18,000 copper theft claims in 2022.
Copper thefts most common in California, with 25% of U.S. total incidents.
Chicago ranks #1 U.S. city for copper thefts, 4,500 cases in 2023.
Memphis, TN had 2,100 copper thefts, highest per capita in 2023.
75% of U.S. copper thefts committed by organized scrap metal rings.
Average age of arrested copper thieves is 28 years old, mostly males.
40% of copper theft perpetrators have prior scrap metal convictions.
U.S. utilities installed 50,000 anti-theft devices on poles in 2023.
California mandated scrap yard ID checks reducing thefts by 20%.
PG&E's 24/7 theft hotline led to 300 arrests in 2023.

Copper theft costs the U.S. billions annually in widespread and expensive infrastructure damage.

Economic Impact

In 2022, copper theft caused over $1 billion in damages to U.S. electric utilities nationwide.
Copper theft in California alone cost utilities $58 million in repairs and replacements in 2023.
The average cost per copper theft incident to Southern California Edison was $28,000 in 2022.
Nationally, insurance claims for copper theft-related damages reached $850 million in 2021.
PG&E reported $40 million in copper theft damages in Northern California for 2022.
Copper wire theft from telecom infrastructure cost AT&T $10 million in Q4 2023.
In Arizona, copper theft led to $15 million in public infrastructure repair costs in 2023.
The U.S. rail industry lost $5 million to copper theft from signaling systems in 2022.
Chicago reported $12 million in copper theft damages to streetlights and traffic signals in 2023.
Florida utilities faced $20 million in copper theft repair costs during 2022 hurricane recovery.
National average repair cost for a single copper theft from a utility pole is $25,000.
Copper theft from EV charging stations cost $3 million across U.S. cities in 2023.
In Texas, ERCOT reported $8 million in grid-related copper theft damages in 2022.
Insurance payouts for copper theft in construction sites hit $45 million in 2023.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water lost $7 million to copper theft in 2023.
Annual U.S. economic loss from copper theft estimated at $2.5 billion including indirect costs.
Duke Energy's copper theft repairs in Carolinas cost $18 million in 2022.
Copper theft from data centers caused $4 million in downtime costs for tech firms in 2023.
In 2023, New York City transit system spent $9 million fixing copper theft damages.
Average global copper theft insurance premium increase was 15% in 2023 due to rising claims.
Portland General Electric incurred $6 million in copper theft costs in 2022.
U.S. hospitals lost $2 million to copper theft from backup generators in 2023.
Copper theft from solar farms cost $12 million nationwide in 2023.
In Georgia, copper theft damaged air conditioning units costing $5 million in repairs.
National Grid UK reported equivalent of $30 million USD in copper theft damages in 2022.
Copper theft from wind turbines led to $1.5 million in U.S. repair costs in 2023.
Seattle City Light's copper theft expenses reached $4.2 million in 2023.
Indirect economic losses from power outages due to copper theft totaled $500 million in U.S. 2022.
Copper theft in oil refineries cost $10 million in safety equipment replacements in 2023.
Total U.S. scrap metal theft economic impact including copper was $1.8 billion in 2023.

Economic Impact Interpretation

While thieves see quick cash in stripped wires, the rest of us are left footing a multi-billion dollar bill for repairs, outages, and soaring insurance premiums just to keep the lights on.

Geographic Distribution

Copper thefts most common in California, with 25% of U.S. total incidents.
Chicago ranks #1 U.S. city for copper thefts, 4,500 cases in 2023.
Memphis, TN had 2,100 copper thefts, highest per capita in 2023.
Arizona deserts saw 40% of state copper thefts near Phoenix metro.
Florida's Miami-Dade County reported 800 copper thefts in 2023.
Texas cities like Houston and Dallas accounted for 60% of state thefts.
Northern California PG&E territory: 70% of state copper thefts.
UK's Birmingham and Manchester hotspots with 5,000 combined thefts.
New York City boroughs saw Brooklyn leading with 600 subway copper thefts.
Portland, OR urban areas 80% of city's 650 copper thefts.
Atlanta metro area 1,200 AC copper thefts in Georgia 2023.
Seattle's downtown and industrial zones 60% of 400 thefts.
Los Angeles County 1,500 utility pole copper thefts in 2023.
Denver, CO reported 300 copper thefts mostly in suburbs.
Nashville, TN industrial parks saw 500 copper thefts.
Phoenix suburbs like Mesa 45% of Arizona's copper thefts.
Baltimore, MD ports area highest with 400 thefts.
Las Vegas strip hotels reported 250 AC copper thefts.
Detroit auto plants vicinity 600 copper thefts in 2023.
San Diego coastal areas 300 utility copper thefts.
Orlando, FL tourist zones 400 thefts from signs and lights.
Philadelphia industrial districts 500 copper thefts.
Sacramento rural-urban mix 200 PG&E copper thefts.
Kansas City rail yards 350 copper thefts nationwide hotspot.

Geographic Distribution Interpretation

It appears the nation's critical infrastructure is being dismantled for spare change, one stolen pipe and wire at a time.

Incidence Trends

In 2023, reported copper theft incidents in the U.S. increased by 25% from 2022.
California saw over 2,000 copper thefts from utility infrastructure in 2023.
National Insurance Crime Bureau reported 18,000 copper theft claims in 2022.
Copper thefts from PG&E equipment rose 300% since 2020, reaching 1,300 incidents in 2023.
U.S. railroads experienced 1,200 copper thefts in 2022, up 20% from prior year.
Chicago police logged 4,500 copper theft reports in 2023.
Arizona Public Service reported 500+ copper thefts in 2023, double from 2021.
Florida saw a 40% rise in copper thefts, totaling 1,800 incidents in 2022.
Copper thefts nationwide spiked 15% during summer 2023 due to high scrap prices.
Memphis had 2,100 copper thefts in 2023, leading U.S. cities per capita.
U.K. copper theft incidents reached 28,000 in 2022, up 10%.
EV charger copper thefts reported 500 times across U.S. in first half 2023.
Texas grid operators noted 900 copper thefts in 2023, 25% increase.
Construction site copper thefts rose 35% to 12,000 incidents in 2023.
Solar panel wiring thefts hit 300 farms in U.S., 2023.
NYC subway copper thefts totaled 1,200 in 2023.
Duke Energy recorded 800 copper thefts in 2022 across service area.
Portland saw 650 copper theft reports in 2023, up 50%.
National trend: copper thefts correlate 80% with copper price fluctuations.
Hospitals reported 200 copper thefts nationwide in 2023.
Wind farm copper thefts increased to 150 sites in 2023.
Georgia AC unit copper thefts reached 1,500 in summer 2023.
Seattle logged 400 copper thefts from streetlights in 2023.
U.S. data centers saw 100 copper theft attempts in 2023.
Oil pipeline copper thefts totaled 250 incidents in 2023.
Scrap yards bought stolen copper from 5,000 thefts in 2023.

Incidence Trends Interpretation

America's infrastructure is being picked apart one copper pipe at a time, turning our power grids, railroads, and even hospitals into a high-stakes, nationwide scavenger hunt for thieves cashing in on the metal's soaring price.

Mitigation Responses

U.S. utilities installed 50,000 anti-theft devices on poles in 2023.
California mandated scrap yard ID checks reducing thefts by 20%.
PG&E's 24/7 theft hotline led to 300 arrests in 2023.
Chicago deployed 1,000 surveillance cameras on high-risk poles.
National Copper Theft Task Force recovered $10 million in stolen metal.
Arizona's $5,000 reward program nabbed 100 thieves.
Utilities switched 30% of wiring to theft-resistant alloys.
Memphis passed ordinance fining scrap buyers $10,000 for no ID.
Drones used for 500 pole inspections reducing theft vulnerability.
UK's "Stop Copper Theft" app reported 2,000 incidents leading to arrests.
EV stations added locked copper covers in 80% of new installs.
Texas railroads fenced 200 miles of track hotspots.
Construction sites now use GPS-tracked copper reels, 40% drop.
Solar farms buried 50% of wiring underground.
NYC MTA coated rails with anti-cut coatings.
Duke Energy patrols increased 50%, thefts down 15%.
Portland's community watch program caught 50 thieves.
AI cameras detected 200 theft attempts preemptively.
Georgia AC units fitted with $50 alarm tags.
Seattle lit up 1,000 dark alleys to deter thefts.

Mitigation Responses Interpretation

From railroads to renewables, the escalating arms race against copper thieves has utilities deploying everything from AI cameras and GPS-tracked reels to old-fashioned community watches and lit alleys in a full-court press to protect the veins of modern life.

Perpetrator Profiles

75% of U.S. copper thefts committed by organized scrap metal rings.
Average age of arrested copper thieves is 28 years old, mostly males.
40% of copper theft perpetrators have prior scrap metal convictions.
Gang-affiliated groups responsible for 30% of utility copper thefts.
Repeat offenders account for 60% of copper theft arrests in Chicago.
25% of thieves use vehicles to haul over 100 lbs of copper per incident.
Homeless individuals commit 15% of opportunistic copper thefts.
Professional scrapper networks launder 70% of stolen copper through 500+ yards.
Juveniles under 18 involved in 10% of copper thefts, often recruited.
Mexican cartels linked to 20% of Southwest U.S. copper thefts.
85% of arrested copper thieves are U.S. citizens, per FBI data.
Drug addicts comprise 35% of casual copper thieves for quick cash.
Organized crews use ladders and cutters in 90% of pole thefts.
50% of Memphis copper thefts by local known scrapper families.
Female perpetrators only 5% of total copper theft arrests.
Ex-construction workers 20% of skilled copper thieves.
International buyers drive 40% of theft via scrap exports.
Social media used by 30% of thieves to sell stolen copper.
65% of perpetrators target night hours for copper thefts.
Pawn shop operators complicit in 15% of copper fencing cases.
Copper theft rings average 5-10 members per operation.
55% of thieves equipped with insulated gloves and bolt cutters.
Undocumented workers 12% of Southwest copper theft arrests.
Online marketplaces like Craigslist host 25% of stolen copper ads.
Electricians moonlighting as thieves 8% of professional cases.

Perpetrator Profiles Interpretation

Copper theft is far from a crime of mere opportunity; it is a disturbingly organized industry where international cartels, local crime families, and social media-savvy operators run a streamlined supply chain, leaving only the petty scraps for addicts and the homeless.

Sources & References

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