While the FBI’s latest data shows a welcome 6.2% drop in reported burglaries to 898,467 incidents in 2022, the unsettling reality that over 63% of these crimes target our homes reveals how vital it is for every homeowner and renter to understand the evolving risks and most effective ways to protect their property and family.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 898,467 reported burglaries in the United States, marking a 6.2% decrease from 2021
- The burglary rate in the US fell to 266.0 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022 from 283.0 in 2021 according to FBI data
- Between 2019 and 2022, residential burglaries accounted for 63.4% of all burglaries reported to police nationwide
- Black households had a burglary victimization rate of 19.7 per 1,000 in 2021
- Hispanic households faced 17.2 burglaries per 1,000 in 2021
- White households had 12.1 per 1,000 burglary rate in 2021
- 41% of offenders in residential burglaries are under 18 years old
- 83% of burglars are male, per US Department of Justice data
- Average age of arrested burglars is 25 years
- The average burglary results in $2,473 in property losses in 2022
- Total cost of burglaries in US exceeds $3.4 billion annually
- Insurance covers 57% of burglary losses on average
- Burglary rates dropped 9.7% from 2019 to 2022 nationally
- Residential burglaries declined 81% from 1993 peak to 2021
- Post-COVID, burglaries fell 10% in 2020 due to stay-at-home orders
US burglary rates are declining nationally, but significant geographic and demographic disparities remain.
Economic Impact
1The average burglary results in $2,473 in property losses in 2022
Verified2Total cost of burglaries in US exceeds $3.4 billion annually
Verified3Insurance covers 57% of burglary losses on average
Verified4Average deductible for burglary claims is $1,000
Directional5Electronics account for 40% of stolen value in burglaries
Single source6Jewelry makes up 20% of burglary theft value, cash 15%
Verified766% of burglary victims file insurance claims averaging $8,500
Verified8Indirect costs like time off work add $1,500 per incident
Verified9California burglary losses totaled $1.2 billion in 2022
Directional10National property crime costs $15.3 billion yearly, burglaries 22%
Single source11Home security systems reduce losses by 60% per FBI estimates
Verified12Uninsured losses average $1,200 per burglary
Verified13Businesses recover only 12% of stolen property value, homes 20%
Verified14Average UK burglary loss is £6,200 ($8,000 USD)
Directional15Australian average burglary loss $4,500 AUD
Single source1631% of victims lose over $5,000 in a single burglary
Verified17Burglary claims drive up premiums by 7% on average
Verified1825% of burglarized homes suffer structural damage costing $500+
Verified19Stolen firearms from burglaries number 380,000 yearly, value $300m
Directional20Emotional distress costs victims $2,100 in therapy/medical per incident
Single source21Low-income victims lose 15% of annual income to burglary
Verified22Insurance payouts for burglaries hit $1.8 billion in 2021
Verified23Pawn shops buy 40% of burglary loot, untraceable 70%
VerifiedEconomic Impact Interpretation
Even though insurance covers a bit over half the cost, the real robbery might just be the double hit of your premium going up and your peace of mind staying down, especially when you consider how much of your favorite gadgets and heirlooms are funding someone else's quick cash scheme.
Incidence and Prevalence
1In 2022, there were 898,467 reported burglaries in the United States, marking a 6.2% decrease from 2021
Verified2The burglary rate in the US fell to 266.0 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022 from 283.0 in 2021 according to FBI data
Verified3Between 2019 and 2022, residential burglaries accounted for 63.4% of all burglaries reported to police nationwide
Verified4In 2021, the National Crime Victimization Survey estimated 1.03 million completed or attempted residential burglaries
Directional5Urban areas experienced a burglary victimization rate of 15.4 per 1,000 households in 2021, compared to 10.2 in suburban and 6.8 in rural areas
Single source6From 1993 to 2021, the burglary victimization rate declined by 77% from 59.4 to 13.5 per 1,000 households
Verified7In 2020, households in the Western US had the highest burglary rate at 17.2 per 1,000 households
Verified8About 68% of residential burglaries occur during the day when homes are unoccupied, per a 2017 study
Verified9The average time to commit a residential burglary is under 10 minutes in 60% of cases
Directional10In 2022, California reported 102,983 burglaries, the highest in the nation
Single source11Texas had 85,472 burglaries in 2022, ranking second nationally
Verified12Florida recorded 58,331 burglaries in 2022
Verified13New York saw 25,821 burglaries in 2022, down 12% from prior year
Verified14In 2021, the clearance rate for burglaries was 12.4% nationally
Directional15Residential burglaries make up 61% of all burglaries in the US per 2020 data
Single source16In 2019, there were 719,000 burglaries reported, with a rate of 216.6 per 100,000
Verified17The burglary rate for households with incomes under $25,000 was 20.1 per 1,000 in 2021
Verified18Households with 4 or more members had a burglary rate of 18.9 per 1,000 in 2021
Verified19Renter-occupied households experienced burglary at 22.3 per 1,000 vs 9.8 for owner-occupied in 2021
Directional20In 2022, burglary offenses decreased 7.5% in cities with over 1 million population
Single source21Suburban counties saw a 2.1% drop in burglaries from 2021 to 2022
Verified22Rural counties reported 4.3% fewer burglaries in 2022 vs 2021
Verified23Nevada had the highest burglary rate at 353.5 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified24New Mexico's burglary rate was 318.9 per 100,000 in 2022, second highest
Directional25Arkansas reported 295.3 burglaries per 100,000 residents in 2022
Single source26Louisiana's rate stood at 266.2 per 100,000 in 2022
Verified27In England and Wales, residential burglaries fell 16% in 2022/23 to 228,000 incidents
Verified28Australia recorded 132,347 residential burglaries in 2022
Verified29Canada saw 87,422 break and enters into dwellings in 2022
Directional30In 2021, 1 in 45 US households experienced a burglary, per NCVS estimates
Single sourceIncidence and Prevalence Interpretation
While the statistically good news is that burglary is becoming less of a national pastime, the practical takeaway remains that a daytime break-in is still a disturbingly quick and likely unsolved ten-minute gamble against your peace of mind.
Offender Characteristics
141% of offenders in residential burglaries are under 18 years old
Verified283% of burglars are male, per US Department of Justice data
Verified3Average age of arrested burglars is 25 years
Verified444% of convicted burglars have prior criminal records
Directional513% of burglars are armed with guns during commission
Single source660% of burglars commit crimes within 2 miles of their home
Verified712% of burglars enter through unlocked doors/windows
Verified8Most burglars (59%) look for cash first, then jewelry and electronics
Verified934% of burglars scout homes in advance
Directional10Addicted offenders commit 76% of burglaries for drug money
Single source1187% of burglars check for security cameras before entering
Verified12Professional burglars account for 13% of incidents, amateurs 87%
Verified13Repeat burglars commit average 226 burglaries lifetime
Verified1470% of burglars would avoid homes with visible alarm signs
Directional15Burglars prefer second-story entries in 23% of cases to avoid dogs
Single source1675% of convicted burglars are high school dropouts
Verified17Black offenders comprise 52% of burglary arrests
Verified18White offenders 45%, Hispanic 3% of burglary arrests in 2022
Verified19Juveniles under 18 account for 25% of burglary arrests
Directional20Groups of 2+ offenders commit 40% of residential burglaries
Single source2165% of burglars spend less than 5 minutes inside the home
Verified22Only 29% of burglars carry weapons, mostly knives
Verified2356% of burglars pawn stolen goods immediately
Verified24In the UK, 80% of burglars reoffend within a year of release
Directional25Australian burglars average 5 prior convictions
Single sourceOffender Characteristics Interpretation
While the typical burglar is a young, local, and undereducated male addict looking for quick cash, this portrait of a hapless amateur is dangerously incomplete, as the minority of armed, calculating, and highly active repeat offenders disproportionately terrorize communities and account for a staggering number of crimes.
Trends and Prevention
1Burglary rates dropped 9.7% from 2019 to 2022 nationally
Verified2Residential burglaries declined 81% from 1993 peak to 2021
Verified3Post-COVID, burglaries fell 10% in 2020 due to stay-at-home orders
Verified4Summer months see 10% higher burglary rates than winter
Directional5Fridays have 14% more burglaries than Sundays
Single source6Homes with alarms 300% less likely to be burgled, FBI stat
Verified7Dogs deter 83% of potential burglars
Verified8Neighborhood watch reduces burglaries by 26%
Verified9Clearance rates improved to 13.1% in 2022 from 12.4% 2021
Directional10DNA evidence solves 33% more burglaries, UK study
Single source11Smart doorbells reduce burglaries by 53% in equipped homes
Verified12Visible cameras deter 60% of burglars
Verified13Motion lights cut risk by 36%
Verified1475% fewer burglaries in gated communities
Directional15Police foot patrols reduce burglaries 20% in areas
Single source16Apps reporting suspicious activity lower incidents 15%
Verified17Burglaries peaked in 1991 at 1.7 million, now 50% lower
Verified18Pandemic recovery saw 3% burglary rise 2021-2022
Verified19Youth programs reduce juvenile burglary by 40%
Directional2087% of burglars avoid occupied homes, deterrence stat
Single source21Trimmed bushes lower risk 43%
Verified22Deadbolts prevent 62% of forced entries
Verified23UK burglaries down 77% since 1995 due to prevention
Verified24Australia saw 5% annual decline 2018-2022
Directional25Predictive policing apps cut burglaries 7.4% in trials
Single source2692% of burglars caught via neighbor tips
Verified27Solar lights deter 55% nighttime attempts
Verified28Community cameras solve 25% more cases
VerifiedTrends and Prevention Interpretation
While the long-term trend shows burglary is in steep decline thanks to better prevention and technology, it remains a crime of opportunity, meaning a simple combination of a visible dog, a good deadbolt, and nosy neighbors is still the most timeless home security system.
Victim Characteristics
1Black households had a burglary victimization rate of 19.7 per 1,000 in 2021
Verified2Hispanic households faced 17.2 burglaries per 1,000 in 2021
Verified3White households had 12.1 per 1,000 burglary rate in 2021
Verified4Households headed by persons aged 25-34 had the highest burglary rate at 20.5 per 1,000 in 2021
Directional5Elderly-headed households (65+) had the lowest rate at 6.3 per 1,000 in 2021
Single source6Single-person households experienced 18.4 burglaries per 1,000 in 2021
Verified7Households with children under 12 had a rate of 15.2 per 1,000 in 2021
Verified8Low-income households (<$25k) saw 20.1 victimizations per 1,000 in 2021
Verified9High-income households (>$75k) had 10.4 per 1,000 in 2021
Directional10Rented households had 22.3 burglaries per 1,000 vs 9.8 owned in 2021
Single source11Urban households: 15.4 per 1,000; suburban: 10.2; rural: 6.8 in 2021
Verified12Western region households: 17.2 per 1,000 burglaries in 2021
Verified13Northeastern: 9.6 per 1,000; Midwestern: 11.8; Southern: 13.4 in 2021
Verified14Females heading households had slightly higher rates at 14.2 vs 13.1 for males in 2021
Directional1542% of burglary victims are repeat victims within 12 months, per UK study
Single source16Households without security systems are 300% more likely to be burgled
Verified17Vacation homes are broken into 2% of the time when unoccupied
Verified18Multi-family dwellings have 3x higher burglary risk than single-family
Verified19Homes with visible valuables have 2.5x burglary likelihood
Directional20Corner houses are 65% more likely to be targeted
Single source21Houses backing onto open fields have 20% higher risk
Verified22Homes with overgrown shrubs have 98% higher burglary rate
Verified2360% of burglaries occur in neighborhoods with median income under $40k
Verified24Young adults 18-24 report highest fear of burglary at 28%
Directional2583% of US adults know a burglary victim personally
Single source26Women are 25% more likely to be victimized in home invasions
Verified2734% of burglary victims are over 65 years old
VerifiedVictim Characteristics Interpretation
While a burglar’s calculus is cruelly efficient—targeting the young, the less affluent, and renters with a prejudice that lays bare systemic inequities—it turns out that the best deterrents aren't wealth but a well-trimmed hedge, good neighbors, and a security system that actually works.
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