GITNUXREPORT 2026

Vandalism Statistics

Vandalism causes billions in global damage and affects millions annually worldwide.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Juveniles aged 12-17 commit 45% of US vandalism offenses.

Statistic 2

Males account for 85% of vandalism arrestees in the United States.

Statistic 3

Urban residents face 3x higher vandalism victimization than rural.

Statistic 4

African American youth represent 35% of juvenile vandalism offenders.

Statistic 5

Ages 15-24 comprise 60% of vandalism perpetrators globally.

Statistic 6

Low-income neighborhoods report 70% of all vandalism incidents.

Statistic 7

Females perpetrate 15% of graffiti vandalism cases.

Statistic 8

Immigrants account for 12% of vandalism arrests in major US cities.

Statistic 9

Students commit 50% of school-related vandalism.

Statistic 10

Repeat offenders make up 25% of vandalism arrestees.

Statistic 11

65% of vandalism by males aged 13-20 in surveys.

Statistic 12

Hispanic youth 28% of juvenile vandalism offenders US.

Statistic 13

White offenders 50% of vandalism arrests nationally.

Statistic 14

Females 20% in suburban vandalism cases.

Statistic 15

Unemployed youth 40% higher vandalism involvement.

Statistic 16

Gang-affiliated 30% of urban vandalism.

Statistic 17

Homeless individuals 10% perpetrators in cities.

Statistic 18

First-time offenders 70% under age 18.

Statistic 19

LGBTQ+ youth overrepresented at 15% in vandalism stats.

Statistic 20

55% vandalism by groups of 2+ offenders teens.

Statistic 21

Asian American low at 5% vandalism arrests US.

Statistic 22

Rural youth 25% higher per capita vandalism.

Statistic 23

Alcohol involved in 35% adult vandalism cases.

Statistic 24

Mental health issues in 20% offenders.

Statistic 25

Foster care youth 18% overrepresented.

Statistic 26

Nighttime vandalism 70% of incidents.

Statistic 27

Social media boasts in 40% juvenile cases.

Statistic 28

Nationwide, US vandalism costs $12 billion annually in direct damages.

Statistic 29

Graffiti removal in US cities costs $1.8 billion yearly, per NGPA estimates.

Statistic 30

School vandalism in the US totals $100 million in damages each year.

Statistic 31

Transit system vandalism costs US public transport $900 million annually.

Statistic 32

Property owners spend $5 billion yearly on vandalism repairs in residential areas.

Statistic 33

Business vandalism losses average $40,000 per major incident in urban US.

Statistic 34

US forests suffer $250 million in recreational vandalism damage yearly.

Statistic 35

Utility infrastructure vandalism repair costs $2.5 billion US-wide annually.

Statistic 36

Historical site vandalism restoration in US exceeds $500 million per decade.

Statistic 37

Insurance claims for vandalism total $3.4 billion yearly in the US.

Statistic 38

US graffiti vandalism cleanup $2 billion annually.

Statistic 39

Parks and recreation vandalism $1 billion US yearly.

Statistic 40

Retail store vandalism losses $4.5 billion per year.

Statistic 41

Church vandalism repair costs $50 million annually.

Statistic 42

Agricultural vandalism damages $300 million US farms yearly.

Statistic 43

Bridge and highway vandalism $800 million repairs.

Statistic 44

Cemetery vandalism $20 million in damages yearly.

Statistic 45

Sports facility vandalism $150 million US total.

Statistic 46

Museum artifact vandalism insurance $100 million claims.

Statistic 47

US highways signage vandalism $400 million yearly.

Statistic 48

Library book/material vandalism $250 million US.

Statistic 49

ATM vandalism losses $500 million globally but US $200m.

Statistic 50

Solar panel farm vandalism emerging cost $50m US.

Statistic 51

Billboards ad vandalism $300 million damages.

Statistic 52

Native American lands vandalism $75 million repairs.

Statistic 53

Globally, vandalism accounts for approximately 10-12% of all reported property crimes, with an estimated 20-30 million incidents annually across urban areas.

Statistic 54

In Europe, the European Union reported over 5 million vandalism cases in 2021, equating to a rate of 11.2 per 1,000 inhabitants.

Statistic 55

Worldwide, graffiti vandalism alone costs governments and businesses an estimated $20 billion per year in cleanup and prevention.

Statistic 56

In Australia, vandalism incidents rose by 15% from 2019 to 2022, totaling 450,000 cases in 2022.

Statistic 57

Asia-Pacific region sees 8.5 million vandalism reports yearly, with urban centers like Tokyo reporting 120,000 cases annually.

Statistic 58

Latin America records vandalism as 18% of property crimes, with Brazil alone at 1.2 million incidents in 2023.

Statistic 59

In 2020, global vandalism damage was estimated at $50 billion USD, per International Crime Victim Survey data.

Statistic 60

Africa reports 4.5 million vandalism acts yearly, concentrated in South African urban areas with 300,000 cases.

Statistic 61

Middle East vandalism incidents total 2.1 million annually, with Saudi Arabia noting a 10% yearly increase.

Statistic 62

Canada-wide, vandalism comprises 25% of property crimes, with 400,000 incidents in 2022.

Statistic 63

UK vandalism offenses reached 1.1 million in 2022/23, a 5% rise from prior year.

Statistic 64

In 2023, New York vandalism surged 18% in summer months.

Statistic 65

France recorded 250,000 vandalisme acts in 2022.

Statistic 66

Germany urban vandalism at 400,000 cases yearly.

Statistic 67

Japan reports 100,000 chikan and vandalism combo incidents annually.

Statistic 68

India urban vandalism estimated at 2 million yearly.

Statistic 69

Russia vandalism convictions 150,000 in 2022.

Statistic 70

Mexico City 80,000 vandalism reports in 2023.

Statistic 71

South Korea Seoul vandalism 25,000 cases 2022.

Statistic 72

Italy vandalism 180,000 cases 2022, up 7%.

Statistic 73

Spain Barcelona graffiti 50,000 removals yearly.

Statistic 74

Sweden 90,000 skadegörelse 2022.

Statistic 75

Netherlands 120,000 vernieling incidents annually.

Statistic 76

Poland 300,000 wandalizm cases 2023.

Statistic 77

US vandalism reports increased 25% from 2019 to 2022 due to pandemic effects.

Statistic 78

Graffiti incidents in Europe declined 8% from 2015-2020.

Statistic 79

Digital vandalism (cyber) rose 300% globally since 2018.

Statistic 80

Youth vandalism peaked in 2010s, down 15% by 2023 in US.

Statistic 81

Climate protests boosted vandalism by 40% in 2022 across EU.

Statistic 82

Vehicle vandalism down 10% post-COVID in major cities.

Statistic 83

Online-reported vandalism up 50% with app usage since 2015.

Statistic 84

Rural vandalism increased 20% from 2010-2020 in US.

Statistic 85

School vandalism dropped 30% with remote learning in 2020-2021.

Statistic 86

Pandemic saw 35% rise in residential vandalism US 2020.

Statistic 87

Graffiti apps led to 25% increase 2015-2020.

Statistic 88

Enforcement tech reduced vandalism 12% in smart cities.

Statistic 89

Social media challenges spiked vandalism 50% teens 2022.

Statistic 90

Electric vehicle charging stations vandalism up 100% 2023.

Statistic 91

Decline in mall vandalism with online shopping shift.

Statistic 92

AI cameras cut vandalism 18% in UK pilots.

Statistic 93

Protest-related vandalism doubled 2019-2023 globally.

Statistic 94

Remote work areas vandalism up 22% suburbs.

Statistic 95

Vandalism convictions down 10% with diversion programs.

Statistic 96

Bike-sharing stations vandalism halved with GPS 2018-2023.

Statistic 97

Eco-vandalism against pipelines up 150% decade.

Statistic 98

In the US, FBI reports 1.2 million vandalism arrests from 2010-2020, averaging 120,000 yearly.

Statistic 99

New York City logged 35,000 vandalism incidents in 2022, up 20% post-pandemic.

Statistic 100

Los Angeles County vandalism cases hit 45,672 in 2023, costing $150 million in damages.

Statistic 101

Chicago saw 28,500 vandalism reports in 2022, primarily vehicle-related at 60%.

Statistic 102

Florida statewide vandalism arrests totaled 12,345 in 2021, with youth under 18 at 40%.

Statistic 103

Texas reported 150,000 vandalism incidents in 2022, highest in Houston with 25,000.

Statistic 104

California Penal Code 594 violations reached 200,000 citations in 2023 statewide.

Statistic 105

Detroit's vandalism rate is 1 in 50 residents annually, with 15,000 cases in 2022.

Statistic 106

Philadelphia logged 22,000 criminal mischief (vandalism) cases in 2023.

Statistic 107

US national vandalism rate 3.7 per 1,000 population in 2021.

Statistic 108

Miami-Dade County 18,000 vandalism arrests 2022.

Statistic 109

Seattle vandalism up 30% in 2023 protests.

Statistic 110

Boston 12,500 malicious destruction cases 2022.

Statistic 111

Atlanta vandalism incidents 10,200 in 2023.

Statistic 112

Las Vegas 15,000 vandalism reports yearly average.

Statistic 113

San Francisco criminal mischief 8,000 cases 2022.

Statistic 114

Portland OR vandalism 9,800 cases 2022.

Statistic 115

Denver CO 14,000 criminal mischief 2023.

Statistic 116

Phoenix AZ 20,000 criminal damage reports yearly.

Statistic 117

Baltimore MD high vandalism rate 1 in 30 properties.

Statistic 118

Oakland CA 7,500 vandalism arrests 2022.

1/118

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From Tokyo to Toronto, a silent epidemic costing billions sweeps our city streets, with over 20 million acts of vandalism scarring the global urban landscape each year.

Key Takeaways

Globally, vandalism accounts for approximately 10-12% of all reported property crimes, with an estimated 20-30 million incidents annually across urban areas.
In Europe, the European Union reported over 5 million vandalism cases in 2021, equating to a rate of 11.2 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Worldwide, graffiti vandalism alone costs governments and businesses an estimated $20 billion per year in cleanup and prevention.
In the US, FBI reports 1.2 million vandalism arrests from 2010-2020, averaging 120,000 yearly.
New York City logged 35,000 vandalism incidents in 2022, up 20% post-pandemic.
Los Angeles County vandalism cases hit 45,672 in 2023, costing $150 million in damages.
Nationwide, US vandalism costs $12 billion annually in direct damages.
Graffiti removal in US cities costs $1.8 billion yearly, per NGPA estimates.
School vandalism in the US totals $100 million in damages each year.
Juveniles aged 12-17 commit 45% of US vandalism offenses.
Males account for 85% of vandalism arrestees in the United States.
Urban residents face 3x higher vandalism victimization than rural.
US vandalism reports increased 25% from 2019 to 2022 due to pandemic effects.
Graffiti incidents in Europe declined 8% from 2015-2020.
Digital vandalism (cyber) rose 300% globally since 2018.

Vandalism causes billions in global damage and affects millions annually worldwide.

Demographic Data

Juveniles aged 12-17 commit 45% of US vandalism offenses.
Males account for 85% of vandalism arrestees in the United States.
Urban residents face 3x higher vandalism victimization than rural.
African American youth represent 35% of juvenile vandalism offenders.
Ages 15-24 comprise 60% of vandalism perpetrators globally.
Low-income neighborhoods report 70% of all vandalism incidents.
Females perpetrate 15% of graffiti vandalism cases.
Immigrants account for 12% of vandalism arrests in major US cities.
Students commit 50% of school-related vandalism.
Repeat offenders make up 25% of vandalism arrestees.
65% of vandalism by males aged 13-20 in surveys.
Hispanic youth 28% of juvenile vandalism offenders US.
White offenders 50% of vandalism arrests nationally.
Females 20% in suburban vandalism cases.
Unemployed youth 40% higher vandalism involvement.
Gang-affiliated 30% of urban vandalism.
Homeless individuals 10% perpetrators in cities.
First-time offenders 70% under age 18.
LGBTQ+ youth overrepresented at 15% in vandalism stats.
55% vandalism by groups of 2+ offenders teens.
Asian American low at 5% vandalism arrests US.
Rural youth 25% higher per capita vandalism.
Alcohol involved in 35% adult vandalism cases.
Mental health issues in 20% offenders.
Foster care youth 18% overrepresented.
Nighttime vandalism 70% of incidents.
Social media boasts in 40% juvenile cases.

Demographic Data Interpretation

These statistics paint a grim portrait of vandalism as a lonely and performative cry for attention, disproportionately shouted by young men in marginalized communities, often after dark and onto the unforgiving walls of the very places that failed to give them a better stage.

Economic Costs

Nationwide, US vandalism costs $12 billion annually in direct damages.
Graffiti removal in US cities costs $1.8 billion yearly, per NGPA estimates.
School vandalism in the US totals $100 million in damages each year.
Transit system vandalism costs US public transport $900 million annually.
Property owners spend $5 billion yearly on vandalism repairs in residential areas.
Business vandalism losses average $40,000 per major incident in urban US.
US forests suffer $250 million in recreational vandalism damage yearly.
Utility infrastructure vandalism repair costs $2.5 billion US-wide annually.
Historical site vandalism restoration in US exceeds $500 million per decade.
Insurance claims for vandalism total $3.4 billion yearly in the US.
US graffiti vandalism cleanup $2 billion annually.
Parks and recreation vandalism $1 billion US yearly.
Retail store vandalism losses $4.5 billion per year.
Church vandalism repair costs $50 million annually.
Agricultural vandalism damages $300 million US farms yearly.
Bridge and highway vandalism $800 million repairs.
Cemetery vandalism $20 million in damages yearly.
Sports facility vandalism $150 million US total.
Museum artifact vandalism insurance $100 million claims.
US highways signage vandalism $400 million yearly.
Library book/material vandalism $250 million US.
ATM vandalism losses $500 million globally but US $200m.
Solar panel farm vandalism emerging cost $50m US.
Billboards ad vandalism $300 million damages.
Native American lands vandalism $75 million repairs.

Economic Costs Interpretation

From schools to subways, from forests to front doors, this spray-painted symphony of idiocy proves America's most expensive art form isn't in museums—it's the $12 billion masterpiece of pure, petty destruction we're all forced to pay for every single year.

Global Statistics

Globally, vandalism accounts for approximately 10-12% of all reported property crimes, with an estimated 20-30 million incidents annually across urban areas.
In Europe, the European Union reported over 5 million vandalism cases in 2021, equating to a rate of 11.2 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Worldwide, graffiti vandalism alone costs governments and businesses an estimated $20 billion per year in cleanup and prevention.
In Australia, vandalism incidents rose by 15% from 2019 to 2022, totaling 450,000 cases in 2022.
Asia-Pacific region sees 8.5 million vandalism reports yearly, with urban centers like Tokyo reporting 120,000 cases annually.
Latin America records vandalism as 18% of property crimes, with Brazil alone at 1.2 million incidents in 2023.
In 2020, global vandalism damage was estimated at $50 billion USD, per International Crime Victim Survey data.
Africa reports 4.5 million vandalism acts yearly, concentrated in South African urban areas with 300,000 cases.
Middle East vandalism incidents total 2.1 million annually, with Saudi Arabia noting a 10% yearly increase.
Canada-wide, vandalism comprises 25% of property crimes, with 400,000 incidents in 2022.
UK vandalism offenses reached 1.1 million in 2022/23, a 5% rise from prior year.
In 2023, New York vandalism surged 18% in summer months.
France recorded 250,000 vandalisme acts in 2022.
Germany urban vandalism at 400,000 cases yearly.
Japan reports 100,000 chikan and vandalism combo incidents annually.
India urban vandalism estimated at 2 million yearly.
Russia vandalism convictions 150,000 in 2022.
Mexico City 80,000 vandalism reports in 2023.
South Korea Seoul vandalism 25,000 cases 2022.
Italy vandalism 180,000 cases 2022, up 7%.
Spain Barcelona graffiti 50,000 removals yearly.
Sweden 90,000 skadegörelse 2022.
Netherlands 120,000 vernieling incidents annually.
Poland 300,000 wandalizm cases 2023.

Global Statistics Interpretation

From Melbourne to Mexico City, it seems humanity's collective urge to deface property has turned graffiti into a grotesquely expensive global art project, funded against our will to the tune of billions.

Trends Over Time

US vandalism reports increased 25% from 2019 to 2022 due to pandemic effects.
Graffiti incidents in Europe declined 8% from 2015-2020.
Digital vandalism (cyber) rose 300% globally since 2018.
Youth vandalism peaked in 2010s, down 15% by 2023 in US.
Climate protests boosted vandalism by 40% in 2022 across EU.
Vehicle vandalism down 10% post-COVID in major cities.
Online-reported vandalism up 50% with app usage since 2015.
Rural vandalism increased 20% from 2010-2020 in US.
School vandalism dropped 30% with remote learning in 2020-2021.
Pandemic saw 35% rise in residential vandalism US 2020.
Graffiti apps led to 25% increase 2015-2020.
Enforcement tech reduced vandalism 12% in smart cities.
Social media challenges spiked vandalism 50% teens 2022.
Electric vehicle charging stations vandalism up 100% 2023.
Decline in mall vandalism with online shopping shift.
AI cameras cut vandalism 18% in UK pilots.
Protest-related vandalism doubled 2019-2023 globally.
Remote work areas vandalism up 22% suburbs.
Vandalism convictions down 10% with diversion programs.
Bike-sharing stations vandalism halved with GPS 2018-2023.
Eco-vandalism against pipelines up 150% decade.

Trends Over Time Interpretation

While our brick-and-mortar vandalism showed signs of pandemic-induced mischief and protest-fueled spikes, the digital landscape truly took the crown for creative destruction, proving that the most dramatic increase in property defacement now requires a login and a password.

United States Statistics

In the US, FBI reports 1.2 million vandalism arrests from 2010-2020, averaging 120,000 yearly.
New York City logged 35,000 vandalism incidents in 2022, up 20% post-pandemic.
Los Angeles County vandalism cases hit 45,672 in 2023, costing $150 million in damages.
Chicago saw 28,500 vandalism reports in 2022, primarily vehicle-related at 60%.
Florida statewide vandalism arrests totaled 12,345 in 2021, with youth under 18 at 40%.
Texas reported 150,000 vandalism incidents in 2022, highest in Houston with 25,000.
California Penal Code 594 violations reached 200,000 citations in 2023 statewide.
Detroit's vandalism rate is 1 in 50 residents annually, with 15,000 cases in 2022.
Philadelphia logged 22,000 criminal mischief (vandalism) cases in 2023.
US national vandalism rate 3.7 per 1,000 population in 2021.
Miami-Dade County 18,000 vandalism arrests 2022.
Seattle vandalism up 30% in 2023 protests.
Boston 12,500 malicious destruction cases 2022.
Atlanta vandalism incidents 10,200 in 2023.
Las Vegas 15,000 vandalism reports yearly average.
San Francisco criminal mischief 8,000 cases 2022.
Portland OR vandalism 9,800 cases 2022.
Denver CO 14,000 criminal mischief 2023.
Phoenix AZ 20,000 criminal damage reports yearly.
Baltimore MD high vandalism rate 1 in 30 properties.
Oakland CA 7,500 vandalism arrests 2022.

United States Statistics Interpretation

From coast to coast, America is hemorrhaging billions of dollars and countless man-hours in a spray-painted, key-scratched, and brick-thrown temper tantrum, with our cities' youth often holding the can.

Sources & References

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