While over half a million American homes were burglarized last year alone, the statistics reveal surprising patterns about when these crimes happen, who is most at risk, and how you can protect your own household.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the FBI reported 899,293 burglaries nationwide, with residential burglaries accounting for 62% or approximately 557,000 incidents targeting homes
- According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) 2021, there were an estimated 1.07 million household burglations, down 9% from 2020
- The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded 228,000 domestic burglaries in England and Wales for the year ending March 2023, a 32% decrease from pre-pandemic levels
- According to NCVS 2022, households with incomes under $25,000 had a burglary victimization rate of 12.5 per 1,000, twice the national average
- BJS data shows 65% of burglary victims are white, 27% Black, 5% Hispanic in 2021
- UK Crime Survey 2023: Households with children under 16 twice as likely to be burgled (3.2% vs 1.6%)
- NCVS 2022 shows burglaries peak in July-August, 28% of annual total occurring summer months
- FBI UCR 2022: 40% of residential burglaries occur between 6 PM and 6 AM (nighttime)
- UK CSEW 2023: Most domestic burglaries on weekends, Saturday highest at 18%
- BJS NCVS 2022: Forced entry used in 55% of burglaries, often via doors (32%)
- FBI UCR 2022: Unlawful entry without force 28% of residential burglaries
- UK ONS 2023: 60% of domestic burglaries involve no forced entry (unlocked)
- NCVS 2022: Average loss per burglary $2,601 (2021 dollars)
- BJS 2021: 67% of burglarized households lose property worth over $1,000
- UK ONS 2023: Average burglary loss £2,500, insurance claims £1.2 billion yearly
Home robbery rates fell in many areas but remain high, with most incidents happening at night.
Consequences and Responses
1NCVS 2022: Average loss per burglary $2,601 (2021 dollars)
Verified2BJS 2021: 67% of burglarized households lose property worth over $1,000
Verified3UK ONS 2023: Average burglary loss £2,500, insurance claims £1.2 billion yearly
Verified4FBI 2022: Clearance rate for residential burglaries 12.5% nationally
Directional5NCVS 2022: 41% of victims suffer emotional distress post-burglary
Single source6California 2022: Burglary arrests 13%, convictions 8%
Verified7Australia 2023: 25% households install alarms post-burglary
Verified8Texas 2022: Property loss from burglaries $450 million
Verified9NYPD 2022: Burglary clearance 18% in Manhattan
Directional10Eurostat 2022: EU burglary clearance average 10-15%, lowest in Italy 5%
Single source11Chicago 2023: Post-burglary PTSD-like symptoms in 35% victims
Verified12Canada 2022: Average B&E loss CAD 2,800
Verified13LA PD 2022: 11% clearance rate for burglaries
Verified14BKA 2022: Germany burglary solved rate 38% (highest in EU)
Directional15Florida 2022: 55% victims uninsured, average out-of-pocket $1,200
Single source16NCVS 2021: Police notified in 45% of household burglaries
Verified17Philadelphia 2023: Burglary arrests up 5% to 15%
Verified18Houston 2023: Total burglary losses $120 million
Verified19Detroit 2022: Low clearance 8%, high recidivism 40%
Directional20UK 2023: Victim satisfaction with police response 60%
Single source21Baltimore 2022: Decline in losses due to 20% fewer incidents
Verified22Memphis 2023: Firearm thefts in 30% burglaries, fueling violence
Verified23Phoenix 2022: Clearance 14%, property recovery 10%
Verified24San Antonio 2023: 28% victims change locks post-incident
Directional25Columbus 2022: Average loss $3,200 per residential burglary
Single source26Atlanta 2023: Emotional impact leads to 22% moving residences
Verified27FBI 2022: Burglary contributes 20% to total property crime losses ($3.4B)
Verified28BJS 2022: Repeat victimization within 12 months in 12% households
VerifiedConsequences and Responses Interpretation
While burglary might seem like a numbers game of moderate financial hits and dismal clearance rates, the real cost is a lingering trauma that transforms a home into a crime scene, making victims pay in fear long after the cash and jewels are gone.
Demographic Statistics
1According to NCVS 2022, households with incomes under $25,000 had a burglary victimization rate of 12.5 per 1,000, twice the national average
Verified2BJS data shows 65% of burglary victims are white, 27% Black, 5% Hispanic in 2021
Verified3UK Crime Survey 2023: Households with children under 16 twice as likely to be burgled (3.2% vs 1.6%)
Verified4FBI UCR 2022: Females heads of household report 55% of residential burglaries
Directional5NCVS 2020-2022: Elderly (65+) households burglary rate 5.2 per 1,000 vs 10.1 for under 65
Single source6California DOJ 2022: Latino households 22% of residential burglary victims despite 39% population
Verified7Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023: Renters 2.5 times more likely to experience home break-ins than owners (4.1% vs 1.6%)
Verified8BJS NCVS 2021: Urban households burglary rate 11.2 per 1,000 vs 6.8 rural
Verified9Texas DPS 2022: African American victims 32% of residential burglaries
Directional10UK ONS 2023: Single-person households burglary risk 2.7% vs 1.2% multi-adult
Single source11NCVS 2022: Households with 4+ members highest victimization at 13.4 per 1,000
Verified12NYPD 2022 CompStat: 45% of burglary victims aged 25-44
Verified13Canada GSS 2019: Immigrants 1.5 times more likely to be victims of home break-ins
Verified14LA County Sheriff 2022: Low-income areas (<$50k median) 70% of home robberies
Directional15Eurostat 2022: Southern EU countries higher victimization for low SES households (up to 4%)
Single source16Chicago PD 2023: Black residents 85% of burglary victims in certain districts
Verified17BJS 2018-2022: Renter-occupied homes burglary rate 18.7 per 1,000 vs 5.2 owner-occupied
Verified18Florida FDLE 2022: Seniors (65+) 12% of victims but lower rate per capita
Verified19Germany's BKA 2022: Families with children 55% of burglary victims
Directional20NCVS 2021: Hispanic households 9.2 burglary rate vs 7.8 non-Hispanic white
Single source21Philadelphia 2022: Young adults (18-24) 28% of reported victims
Verified22Houston PD 2023: Hispanic victims 42% of residential burglaries
Verified23Detroit 2022: Low-education households 3x victimization risk
Verified24BJS NCVS: Single females higher risk than single males by 20%
Directional25Memphis 2023: African American households 92% victims in high-crime areas
Single source26San Diego PD 2022: Asian households lowest rate at 4.5 per 1,000
Verified27BJS 2022: Households without security systems 85% of burglarized homes
VerifiedDemographic Statistics Interpretation
The crime data paints a relentlessly predictable portrait: burglary is not a random menace but a targeted tax on vulnerability, disproportionately preying on the poor, the young, families with children, and those who rent.
Incidence Rates
1In 2022, the FBI reported 899,293 burglaries nationwide, with residential burglaries accounting for 62% or approximately 557,000 incidents targeting homes
Verified2According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) 2021, there were an estimated 1.07 million household burglations, down 9% from 2020
Verified3The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded 228,000 domestic burglaries in England and Wales for the year ending March 2023, a 32% decrease from pre-pandemic levels
Verified4In California, 2022 saw 92,500 reported residential burglaries, representing 15% of all burglaries in the state per CDCR data
Directional5Australia's ABS reported 128,000 victims of unlawful entry with intent (home burglary equivalent) in 2022-23
Single source6FBI UCR 2021 data shows Texas with 78,293 burglaries, 58% residential, totaling about 45,410 home entries
Verified7NCVS 2020 estimated 843,000 completed household burglaries where property was taken
Verified8New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services reported 22,500 residential burglaries in 2022
Verified9Eurostat 2022 data indicates 2.1 million residential burglaries across EU member states
Directional10Florida Department of Law Enforcement 2022 Uniform Crime Reports: 35,200 residential burglaries
Single source11BJS 2018-2022 NCVS trend: Household burglary rate fell from 13.3 to 8.9 per 1,000 households
Verified12Chicago Police Department 2023: 12,500 residential burglaries, up 10% from 2022
Verified13Canada Statistics 2022: 78,900 break and enters into residences
Verified14Los Angeles PD 2022: 18,900 residential burglaries reported
Directional15UK Home Office 2023: Burglary victimisation rate 1.8% for households
Single source16Philadelphia PD 2022: 7,200 home burglaries
Verified17BJS NCVS 2022: 812,000 attempted and completed household burglaries
Verified18Houston PD 2023 Year-End Review: 9,500 residential burglaries
Verified19Germany's Federal Crime Office (BKA) 2022: 145,000 residential burglaries, down 8.7%
Directional20Detroit PD 2022: 4,800 home invasions/burglaries
Single source21FBI 2020: Peak pandemic drop to 719,000 burglaries, 60% residential
Verified22Atlanta PD 2023: 3,200 residential burglaries
Verified23BJS 2019 NCVS: 1.1 million burglaries with offenders present in 12%
Verified24Baltimore PD 2022: 5,100 burglaries to dwellings
Directional25Memphis PD 2023: 6,700 residential burglaries
Single source26FBI SHR 2022: Robbery residences 4.2% of all robberies (about 16,000)
Verified27Phoenix PD 2022: 7,800 home burglaries
Verified28NCVS 2021: Burglary rate 7.4 per 1,000 households for urban areas
Verified29San Antonio PD 2023: 5,200 residential burglaries
Directional30Columbus OH PD 2022: 3,900 burglaries of residences
Single sourceIncidence Rates Interpretation
Despite a heartening global decline in home burglaries, these statistics soberly remind us that somewhere, right now, someone is likely testing a lock and hoping it’s the one you forgot to check.
Modus Operandi
1BJS NCVS 2022: Forced entry used in 55% of burglaries, often via doors (32%)
Verified2FBI UCR 2022: Unlawful entry without force 28% of residential burglaries
Verified3UK ONS 2023: 60% of domestic burglaries involve no forced entry (unlocked)
Verified4NCVS 2021: Windows broken in 18% of home burglaries
Directional5California DOJ 2022: Garage entry in 22% of residential cases
Single source6Australia ABS 2022: Opportunistic theft via open doors/windows 45%
Verified7Texas UCR 2022: 40% burglaries with theft of electronics (TVs, laptops)
Verified8NYPD 2022: Smash-and-grab rear doors 15% in Queens
Verified9Eurostat 2022: Theft of cash/jewelry primary in 52% EU residential burglaries
Directional10Chicago PD 2023: 35% involve prying tools on doors
Single source11Canada StatCan 2022: Residential B&Es 25% via basement windows
Verified12LA County 2022: Vehicle-to-home burglary sequence in 18% cases
Verified13BKA 2022: German burglars use distraction tactics in 12% occupied homes
Verified14Florida 2022: 28% burglaries target unoccupied vacation homes
Directional15NCVS 2020: Offenders alone in 75% burglaries, groups in 25%
Single source16Philadelphia 2023: Crowbar entry 20%
Verified17Houston 2023: 42% theft of firearms from homes
Verified18Detroit 2022: Porch theft precursor to 15% full entries
Verified19UK Home Office 2023: Online scouting via social media in 8% cases
Directional20Baltimore 2022: 30% via rear/side doors
Single source21Memphis 2023: Armed home invasions 7% with knives
Verified22Phoenix 2022: 22% climbing to balconies/second floors
Verified23San Antonio 2023: Distraction burglary on elderly 5%
Verified24Columbus 2022: 65% theft under $500 value
Directional25Atlanta 2023: Car break-ins lead to 20% home follows
Single source26FBI SHR 2022: Firearms used in 12% home robberies, knives 22%
VerifiedModus Operandi Interpretation
The statistics paint a grimly amusing portrait of modern home burglary: despite our obsession with high-tech security, the most common offender remains a solo opportunist who simply walks through an unlocked door to steal your TV and spare cash, proving that the oldest crime often requires the least force.
Temporal Patterns
1NCVS 2022 shows burglaries peak in July-August, 28% of annual total occurring summer months
Verified2FBI UCR 2022: 40% of residential burglaries occur between 6 PM and 6 AM (nighttime)
Verified3UK CSEW 2023: Most domestic burglaries on weekends, Saturday highest at 18%
Verified4BJS NCVS 2021: Friday evenings see 15% higher burglary reports
Directional5California OpenJustice 2022: Residential burglaries spike 25% in December holiday season
Single source6Australia ABS 2023: Home invasions peak mid-year (July) at 12% of total
Verified7Texas DPS 2022: 35% burglaries daytime (occupied homes less)
Verified8NYPD CompStat 2023: Burglaries up 12% Thursdays
Verified9Eurostat 2022: EU burglaries highest in autumn (Sept-Nov) 32%
Directional10Chicago PD 2023: Winter months (Dec-Feb) 22% fewer burglaries
Single source11Canada StatCan 2022: Residential B&Es peak August (11%)
Verified12LA PD 2022: Night burglaries 55%, mostly 10 PM-2 AM window
Verified13BKA Germany 2022: Burglaries drop 15% in January coldest month
Verified14Florida FDLE 2022: Spring break period (March) 18% spike in coastal areas
Directional15NCVS 2020: Pandemic lockdowns reduced burglaries 30% in spring 2020
Single source16Philadelphia PD 2023: Halloween week 10% increase in home entries
Verified17Houston PD 2023: Summer (Jun-Aug) 42% of yearly residential burglaries
Verified18Detroit PD 2022: Evenings (5-9 PM) 28% of incidents when residents home
Verified19UK Home Office: Post-COVID rebound highest in summer 2022, up 20%
Directional20Baltimore 2022: Fridays 16% of weekly burglaries
Single source21Memphis PD 2023: Nighttime home robberies 62%
Verified22Phoenix PD 2022: Monsoon season (Jul-Sep) 15% higher due to cover
Verified23San Antonio PD 2023: Holidays (Thanksgiving-Dec) 25% of annual total
Verified24Columbus PD 2022: Weekends 38% vs weekdays 62%
Directional25Atlanta PD 2023: Back-to-school (Aug-Sep) drop 10%
Single source26FBI 2022: Robberies at homes peak evening hours 6-10 PM (45%)
Verified27NCVS 2021: Winter lowest burglary month (Jan 6%)
VerifiedTemporal Patterns Interpretation
While the burglar's calendar is as varied as a travel agency's brochure, their core strategy remains a depressingly simple calculation of opportunity versus occupancy, suggesting your best defense is to make your home look like someone is always rooting against their odds.
Sources & References
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