While it's encouraging that home burglaries have fallen by a staggering 77% since 1993, the sobering reality is that over a quarter of a million families still faced the traumatic invasion of an unlawful entry into their homes last year.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 899,293 reported burglaries in the United States, marking a 6.2% decrease from 2021 according to FBI data
- Burglary rates dropped by 8.7% nationally from 2019 to 2022, with a total of over 1.2 million incidents in 2019 falling to under 900,000 by 2022 per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting
- Between 1993 and 2022, residential burglaries declined by 77%, from approximately 1.9 million to 431,000 victimizations annually based on NCVS trends
- California reported 89,123 burglaries in 2022, highest in the nation at 22.5% of national total per FBI state data
- Texas saw 76,450 home break-ins in 2022, with a rate of 251 per 100,000 residents FBI UCR
- Florida's burglary rate was 193 per 100,000 in 2022, totaling 43,200 incidents per state police reports
- Households with incomes under $25,000 had burglary victimization rate of 4.5 per 1,000 in 2022 per NCVS
- Rental households experienced 3.8 per 1,000 burglary rate vs 2.2 for owners in 2022 BJS data
- Urban households had 4.1 victimization rate per 1,000 for burglaries in 2022 vs rural 1.8 NCVS
- 73% of offenders in residential burglaries were male, aged 18-24 per 2022 NCVS offender perceptions
- 65% of burglars acted alone in home invasions 2022, 35% in groups of 2+ per victim reports BJS
- 52% of burglaries used forcible entry via doors in 2022 FBI method breakdown UCR data
- Average burglary loss $2,500 property only, $10,000+ with sentimentals in 2022 NCVS estimates
- Home insurance claims for burglary averaged $5,200 payout in 2022 per III national data
- Total US burglary economic cost estimated $8 billion including uninsured losses 2022 FBI/NCVS combined
While burglary rates are at historic lows, protecting your home remains essential.
Economic Impact and Prevention
1Average burglary loss $2,500 property only, $10,000+ with sentimentals in 2022 NCVS estimates
Verified2Home insurance claims for burglary averaged $5,200 payout in 2022 per III national data
Verified3Total US burglary economic cost estimated $8 billion including uninsured losses 2022 FBI/NCVS combined
Verified4Homes with alarms 300% less likely burglarized per 2022 security industry UL study
Directional5Burglary prevention via dogs reduced risk by 83% in surveyed homes 2022 ADT report
Single source6Visible cameras deterred 60% of potential burglars per 2022 offender interviews UNC study
Verified7Neighborhood watch programs cut burglary rates 26% in participating areas 2022 CAP index
Verified8Motion lights reduced incidents by 55% in lit vs unlit homes 2022 Ring security data
Verified987% of burglarized homes lacked security systems in 2022 per insurance claim analysis III
Directional10Trulia analysis shows homes with "beware of dog" signs 82% less likely broken into 2022 real estate stats
Single source11Locked doors prevented 38% of potential unlawful entries in 2022 NCVS prevention factors
Verified12Smart locks reduced unauthorized access claims by 45% in insured homes 2022 August security report
Verified13Burglary insurance deductibles averaged $1,000 delaying 22% of claims in 2022 III data
Verified14Prevention ROI: $1 alarm investment saves $7 in losses per 2022 NACOSS cost-benefit study
Directional1531% of burglaries preventable with basic measures like trimming bushes per 2022 police audits
Single source16Homes with deadbolts 3x less victimized than single-cylinder locks only 2022 locksmith association
Verified17Community policing reduced repeat burglaries 40% in pilot cities 2022 DOJ evaluation
Verified1865% of economic loss from burglaries uninsured averaging $1,600 per case 2022 NCVS follow-up
Verified19Property crime insurance premiums rose 9% due to burglary claims in 2022 per NAIC reports
Directional20Break-in repairs cost avg $3,200 doors/windows in 2022 HomeAdvisor data
Single source2176% of prevented burglaries via occupant presence "best free alarm" 2022 victim surveys NCVS
Verified22GPS tracking recovered 27% of stolen goods post-burglary in 2022 tech recovery stats
Verified23Fencing homes reduced access burglaries 72% in suburban studies 2022 landscape security
Verified2441% of Americans live in high-burglary zip codes costing $2.1B extra insurance 2022 Trulia
Directional25Video doorbells cut porch piracy (burglary subset) 53% in 2022 Blink stats
Single sourceEconomic Impact and Prevention Interpretation
The data paints a clear, cost-effective picture: your home is far less likely to be burglarized and far cheaper to insure if you simply lock the door, turn on a light, get a dog sign, and perhaps stop leaving a thousand dollars in cash on the coffee table for the deductible.
National Incidence and Trends
1In 2022, there were 899,293 reported burglaries in the United States, marking a 6.2% decrease from 2021 according to FBI data
Verified2Burglary rates dropped by 8.7% nationally from 2019 to 2022, with a total of over 1.2 million incidents in 2019 falling to under 900,000 by 2022 per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting
Verified3Between 1993 and 2022, residential burglaries declined by 77%, from approximately 1.9 million to 431,000 victimizations annually based on NCVS trends
Verified4In 2021, burglaries accounted for 15% of all property crimes reported to police in the US, totaling 1,016,425 incidents per FBI statistics
Directional5The burglary victimization rate reached a low of 2.6 per 1,000 households in 2022, down from 3.0 in 2021 according to Bureau of Justice Statistics NCVS
Single source6From 2018 to 2022, forcible entry burglaries decreased by 12%, comprising 55% of all residential burglaries in 2022 per FBI data
Verified7Unlawful entry without force accounted for 32% of burglaries in 2022, with 258,000 incidents nationwide FBI reports
Verified8Attempted burglaries made up 28% of all burglary offenses reported in 2022, totaling about 250,000 cases per FBI UCR
Verified9Burglary clearance rates stood at 12.5% nationally in 2022, with only 112,000 arrests from 899,000 incidents FBI data
Directional10During the COVID-19 pandemic peak in 2020, burglaries fell 24% year-over-year to 813,000 incidents per FBI preliminary reports
Single source11Residential burglaries comprised 62% of all burglaries in 2022, equating to 557,000 home break-ins FBI statistics
Verified12From 2000 to 2022, the burglary rate per 100,000 inhabitants dropped from 341 to 166, a 51% decline per FBI historical data
Verified13In urban areas, burglary rates were 3.2 per 1,000 households in 2022 versus 1.8 in rural areas per NCVS
Verified14Burglaries increased slightly by 1.5% from 2020 to 2021 post-lockdown, reaching 1,016,000 incidents FBI notes
Directional15The average annual burglary victimization rate from 2018-2022 was 2.8 per 1,000 households per BJS longitudinal data
Single source16Completed burglaries outnumbered attempts 3:1 in 2022, with 650,000 successful entries per FBI UCR
Verified17Burglary offenses peaked in the 1990s at over 2.2 million annually, now at historic lows per FBI 30-year trends
Verified18In 2022, burglaries cost victims $3.4 billion in direct losses, averaging $3,800 per incident FBI estimates
Verified19Police-reported burglary rates fell 7% from 2021 to 2022 across all regions per FBI Crime Data Explorer
Directional20NCVS estimates 1.1 million residential burglaries occurred in 2022, higher than police reports due to unreported cases
Single source21Burglary rates for households declined 81% from 1993 peak of 13.7 per 1,000 to 2.6 in 2022 per NCVS
Verified22From 2017 to 2022, suburban burglary rates dropped 15% to 2.4 per 1,000 households BJS data
Verified23National burglary incident rate per capita was 0.27% in 2022 per FBI population-adjusted stats
Verified24Burglaries with entry comprised 72% of offenses in 2022, totaling 647,000 cases FBI breakdown
Directional25Year-over-year burglary decline averaged 5.3% from 2018-2022 per FBI quarterly reports
Single source26In 2022, 85% of burglaries involved property theft only, no violence per NCVS victim surveys
Verified27Burglary reporting rates to police were 45% of victimizations in 2022 per BJS NCVS
Verified28From 1990 to 2022, total burglaries reported decreased by 65%, from 2.5 million to 899,000 FBI long-term data
Verified29Urban burglary victimization rate was 4.1 per 1,000 in 2022, highest among locales per NCVS
Directional30Preliminary 2023 data shows burglaries down another 4% nationally per FBI Q1-Q3 reports
Single sourceNational Incidence and Trends Interpretation
While the number of unlocked doors and windows remains a disappointing testament to human optimism, the steep and steady decline in burglaries suggests that even criminals are finding this particular line of work less rewarding than it used to be.
Offender Profiles and Methods
173% of offenders in residential burglaries were male, aged 18-24 per 2022 NCVS offender perceptions
Verified265% of burglars acted alone in home invasions 2022, 35% in groups of 2+ per victim reports BJS
Verified352% of burglaries used forcible entry via doors in 2022 FBI method breakdown UCR data
Verified4Windows were forced in 28% of residential burglaries 2022 second most common entry FBI stats
Directional5Unlawful entry without force (e.g., unlocked doors) in 32% of 2022 burglaries per FBI UCR categories
Single source658% of burglaries occurred during daytime (6am-6pm) in 2022 "daylight myth busted" NCVS timing
Verified7Summer months (June-Aug) saw 32% of annual burglaries in 2022 peak season FBI seasonal data
Verified847% of offenders perceived as strangers by victims, 22% acquaintances in 2022 burglaries BJS
Verified9Cash and jewelry stolen in 68% of burglaries, electronics 55% most common items 2022 NCVS
Directional1012% of burglars carried weapons per victim reports in 2022, guns 4% knives 5% BJS data
Single source11Friday was peak day for burglaries at 16% of weekly incidents in 2022 FBI day-of-week analysis
Verified1261% of burglars spent under 5 minutes inside homes in 2022 "smash and grab" common NCVS duration
Verified13Repeat victimization occurred in 14% of burglarized households within 12 months 2022 BJS longitudinal
Verified1478% of burglars targeted single-family detached homes over apartments in 2022 housing preference FBI/NCVS
Directional15Offenders under 18 committed 15% of burglaries in 2022 juvenile involvement NCVS perceptions
Single source16Drug use reported in 29% of burglary offenders by victims in 2022 BJS substance data
Verified17Garage or basement entry used in 18% of forcible burglaries 2022 alternative access FBI
Verified1822% of burglaries involved theft of firearms from homes in 2022 per NCVS property specifics
Verified19Offender groups of 3+ rare at 8% but more violent in 12% of cases 2022 BJS group dynamics
Directional2067% of burglaries avoided occupied homes per offender surveys proxied by NCVS 2022
Single sourceOffender Profiles and Methods Interpretation
The typical home burglary is a hurried, solo operation by a young man who would rather kick in your door on a Friday afternoon than meet you, though he'll happily take your cash and jewelry if you've left the place unlocked.
Regional and State Variations
1California reported 89,123 burglaries in 2022, highest in the nation at 22.5% of national total per FBI state data
Verified2Texas saw 76,450 home break-ins in 2022, with a rate of 251 per 100,000 residents FBI UCR
Verified3Florida's burglary rate was 193 per 100,000 in 2022, totaling 43,200 incidents per state police reports
Verified4New York had 28,450 burglaries in 2022, down 15% from 2021 with urban concentration in NYC FBI data
Directional5Illinois reported 24,890 burglaries in 2022, rate of 198 per 100,000 centered in Chicago metro FBI stats
Single source6Washington state burglary rate hit 345 per 100,000 in 2022, highest nationally with 26,500 cases FBI
Verified7Colorado experienced 18,230 burglaries in 2022, rate 309 per 100,000 due to Denver area spikes FBI reports
Verified8Nevada's Las Vegas metro saw burglary rates 25% above national average at 220 per 100,000 in 2022 FBI
Verified9Oregon reported 12,450 burglaries in 2022, rate 289 per 100,000 with Portland contributing 40% FBI data
Directional10Missouri had 15,670 burglaries, rate 251 per 100,000 in 2022, St. Louis highest at 1,200+ cases FBI
Single source11New Mexico burglary rate was 412 per 100,000 in 2022, totaling 8,950 incidents statewide FBI UCR
Verified12Louisiana saw 14,230 burglaries in 2022, rate 308 per 100,000 with New Orleans at epicenter FBI stats
Verified13Tennessee reported 21,450 burglaries, rate 305 per 100,000 in 2022, Memphis 35% of total FBI data
Verified14Arizona had 23,670 burglaries in 2022, rate 322 per 100,000 Phoenix metro dominant FBI reports
Directional15In Northeast region, burglary rates averaged 120 per 100,000 in 2022 vs national 166 FBI regional breakdown
Single source16Midwest burglaries totaled 112,000 in 2022, rate 158 per 100,000 lowest regionally per FBI
Verified17South region had 380,000 burglaries in 2022, 42% of national total rate 190 per 100,000 FBI data
Verified18West region burglary rate highest at 250 per 100,000 with 250,000 incidents in 2022 FBI stats
Verified19Alaska's burglary rate was 520 per 100,000 in 2022, highest state by far totaling 3,650 cases FBI
Directional20Hawaii reported lowest state burglary numbers at 2,100 in 2022, rate 145 per 100,000 FBI UCR
Single source21Detroit MI had burglary rate of 1,050 per 100,000 in 2022, among top 10 US cities FBI city data
Verified22Memphis TN metro burglary incidents up 12% to 4,500 in 2022 per local FBI reports
Verified23Albuquerque NM rate 950 per 100,000 burglaries in 2022, 2,800 total cases FBI stats
Verified24Stockton CA saw 1,200 burglaries in 2022, rate 850 per 100,000 highest in CA FBI data
DirectionalRegional and State Variations Interpretation
The nation's burglary map, while proving the West is wildest, offers the cold comfort that you might be statistically safest in Hawaii, yet the persistent and frankly rude fact remains that absolutely no one is immune to the modern, home-invading gold rush.
Victim and Household Demographics
1Households with incomes under $25,000 had burglary victimization rate of 4.5 per 1,000 in 2022 per NCVS
Verified2Rental households experienced 3.8 per 1,000 burglary rate vs 2.2 for owners in 2022 BJS data
Verified3Urban households had 4.1 victimization rate per 1,000 for burglaries in 2022 vs rural 1.8 NCVS
Verified4Households with 4+ members faced 3.5 per 1,000 burglary rate in 2022, highest by size per BJS
Directional5Black-headed households had 4.2 per 1,000 burglary rate in 2022 vs 2.3 for white-headed NCVS data
Single source6Hispanic households burglary victimization at 3.6 per 1,000 in 2022 per BJS demographic breakdowns
Verified7Elderly-headed households (65+) had lowest rate of 1.9 per 1,000 burglaries in 2022 NCVS stats
Verified8Single-person households faced 2.9 per 1,000 rate vs 2.5 for multi-person in 2022 BJS data
Verified9Low-income suburbs had 3.2 per 1,000 burglary rate in 2022 higher than urban poor at 3.0 NCVS locale-income cross
Directional10Households with children under 12 had 3.4 per 1,000 victimization rate in 2022 per BJS family stats
Single source11Midwest households lowest victimization at 2.1 per 1,000 burglaries in 2022 regional NCVS data
Verified12Western US households highest at 3.2 per 1,000 burglary rate in 2022 per BJS regional analysis
Verified1325-34 year old household heads had 3.7 per 1,000 rate highest by age in 2022 NCVS
Verified14Married couple households burglary rate 2.4 per 1,000 vs 3.1 for unmarried in 2022 BJS
Directional15Apartment dwellers in multi-unit buildings had 4.0 per 1,000 rate in 2022 vs single-family 2.3 NCVS housing type
Single source16Households earning $75,000+ had 1.8 per 1,000 lowest burglary rate in 2022 per BJS income tiers
Verified17Female-headed households victimization 3.3 per 1,000 vs 2.5 male-headed in 2022 NCVS gender data
Verified18Vacant seasonal homes had 5.2 per 1,000 burglary rate highest among occupancy types 2022 BJS
Verified1918-24 year old heads had 3.9 per 1,000 burglary victimization in 2022 young adult peak NCVS
Directional20Southern rural households 2.0 per 1,000 rate lowest regional-rural combo in 2022 BJS cross-tabs
Single source2155% of burglary victims were unarmed during incidents in 2022 per NCVS armed status data
Verified2228% of residential burglaries targeted homes with residents present in 2022 "burglary while home" NCVS
Verified2362% of victims aged 25-54 in household burglaries 2022 age distribution BJS demographics
Verified2441% of burglarized households had insurance claims filed averaging $8,500 payout in 2022 III survey
DirectionalVictim and Household Demographics Interpretation
The data paints a clear, unfortunate picture: the American Dream is not only harder to achieve for lower-income, urban, and minority households, but it also comes with a higher statistical chance of being burglarized while you're home and unarmed.
Sources & References
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