Top 10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. Is Washington, D.C. secure?
08 Aug 22:05
Washington, DC is one of the most recognisable cities in the United States due to its stable economy, thriving cultural centres, and historical architecture. Despite being classified as the 16th most dangerous city in the United States by USA Today in 2017, it has overcome a few obstacles and had significant decreases in crime over the last two years.
According to other rankings, even though DC is recognised as one of the safest locations in the United States to reside, there are still some less than great areas stealing the city’s delight. Find out which ones are harmful and should be avoided.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Places in Washington DC
What are the terrible neighbourhoods in Washington, DC?
1. Brentwood
There are a total of 28,660 individuals living here. This area is believed to be one of the Washington DC neighbourhoods to avoid since it has both violent and property crimes, however property crimes account for the bulk of reported occurrences by residents. Even with police officers patrolling the area, violent crimes were predicted to be 1,715 in 2018, while burglary, theft, and car theft totaled 7,556.
Petty crimes linger longer in this neighbourhood, so keep an eye on your parked vehicle or bike for theft. Shiny and appealing things should be kept out of sight of others. If you’re on public transportation, keep your wallet, cash, and valuables hidden from view. You could be safe, but these objects might not be.
Walking or riding during the day is quite safe, but use cautious at night while alone. Women travelling should be cautious and vigilant. So yet, no hotels have been suggested.
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2. Stadium Armory
This is often recognised as the best neighbourhood. Although being robbed at gunpoint is not unusual, there is a good police presence (bike policemen and patrol cars), especially near East Capitol Street and the metro station, which helps to put people at ease.
The overall population is 21,142, with crime rates that are 24% higher than the Washington average. Property crime has not decreased in most DC areas in decades, so keeping your belongings safe when strolling or bicycling on the streets will keep you relatively safe. Your cash should be kept out of sight, just as it should be when riding in public.
Women going alone would be just as safe at night as they would during the day, with the exception of the silence. The hotels in the area have excellent recommendations and ratings.
3. Anacostia
This, in particular, is one of the Washington, DC neighbourhoods to avoid. It has a population of 117,488 people and one of the city’s longest history. There was a moment in the early 2000s when this area was rife with various crimes. The Southeast neighbourhood, one of the city’s poorest, has periodic decreases and increases in violent attacks. Drug peddling is a common crime, particularly in Ward 8 and the Anacostia River’s east bank.
An evaluation completed in 2015 found that just roughly 44 percent of inhabitants in this neighbourhood felt comfortable on the street during daytime hours. Although just a few of the older residents feel the active police officers are competent, the majority say the officers are preoccupied with topics that are unrelated to the area.
Visitors and female travellers are encouraged to walk or bike with a companion throughout the day and avoid nighttime strolls. Because public transit may not be secure from crime, cash should always be fastened to the wallet and maintained by the side.
4. Deanwood
This neighbourhood in Northeast DC is home to 29,798 individuals. This is one of the most hazardous neighbourhoods in Washington, DC. And, like Anacostia, it is a mostly black community. The most common crimes in this area are drug and gang-related. Although they are usually targeted, gangs in Washington State are involved in back-to-back shootings. Deanwood has 600% more violent crimes than the national average, and crime has allegedly climbed by 2% every year through 2018. Even with frequent patrols, the cops appear to have a lot on their plates.
In the first half of 2016, D.C. police investigated 30 robberies, 34 assaults, 27 burglaries, and three killings in the area. The 2018 crime statistics reflect a total crime rate of 8,760 per 100,000 people. Although violent crimes appear to be at the top of the crime list, inhabitants accept the daily possibility of break-ins and muggings. That’s why it’s advised to keep cash-filled wallets and handbags out of sight, even on public transportation.
In Deanwood, your odds of becoming a victim of crime are one in every twelve. As a result, female tourists, particularly solitary visitors, are encouraged to stroll or cycle in groups. Also, avoid going out at night. Daytime driving on congested streets is permitted.
5. U street corridor
After the 1968 riots, this neighbourhood became one of the most dangerous in Washington, DC. With just 10,104 different residents in this area, it is projected to record fewer occurrences. However, there was a lot of crime in the early and middle 1990s, mainly with narcotics and prostitutes. However, by the early 2000s, crime had decreased and nightlife choices had taken over. The police interventions were somewhat successful.
However, crimes such as burglary and assaults continue to define the U-street corridor. A resident on 11th Street south of U Street claimed being robbed on the street on occasion. The same thing happened to a dozen additional residents. As a result, you should always keep your handbag or wallet out of sight to avoid being robbed for cash. This also occurs with public transit.
Daytime would be the safest period for walks and bike rides. Gang-related actions, including as drive-by shootings, continue to occur; thus, nighttime movements should be carefully planned, especially for female lone travellers. The likelihood of being a victim of crime in the U Street Corridor is one in ten.
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6. Columbia Heights
The 34,875 people of this area, known for its varied population, particularly its large Black and Latino presence, continue to face gang and drug-related violence. Muggings and shootings are common, and property crime is already a problem in this area.
The 2018 FBI crime statistics report revealed a total crime rate of 5,825 per 100,000 people in this neighbourhood, with violent crime estimated at 854, and property crime at 4,971. Shootings are not random, therefore if you have no ties to a gang, you should be safe in this neighbourhood. In addition, the police are ready for additional assistance.
Exploring Columbia Heights on foot or by bike is generally safe both during the day and at night, even for single female travellers. As long as you remember to put on your street smarts.
7. Petworth
With a population of 11,886 people, this is a Northwest neighbourhood in Ward 4. Petworth may not be as terrible as Anacostia or Deanwood, but it has a higher concentration of dangerous blocks. During the day, panhandlers on Georgia Avenue and near the Safeway make walking or biking through the area unpleasant.
Petworth’s crime rates are 14% lower than the Washington average, while violent crimes are 143% higher than the national average. A homeowner offered information on a narcotics bust at a residence on a certain block, as well as a handful of other illegal behaviours that the police had dealt with during their patrols. Nighttime in this area is much calmer, making dark alleyways stand out. As a result, it is appropriate to travel around that time in-crowd, particularly for ladies travelling alone. If necessary, there are various motels with decent evaluations where you may stay the night and avoid night walks.
Petty theft and pickpocketing are continuing on the rise, so keep your cash and belongings secure while using public transportation to prevent getting mugged.
8. Shaw
This is a northwest central neighbourhood with a population of 13,782 people. There are infrequent reports of gunshots in this neighbourhood, particularly near Sixth Street. Also, south of P St. can be dicey around dusk, so travelling around at this time requires extra caution and vigilance, especially for single female visitors.
Even with police presence, violent crimes in Shaw are 266 percent more than the national average. The total crime rate in this neighbourhood is 8,896 per 100,000 persons, with property crime being more than seven times higher than violent crime. It’s safe to argue that stealing is what it is, and revealing your assets should not encourage crooks. It is preferable to use debit or credit cards rather than cash.
Biking or walking across the neighborhoods is safe, even in public transportation. In Shaw, you have a 1 in 12 chance of being a crime victim.
9. Downtown
The population is 8,132, with a total crime rate of 4,737 per 100,000 inhabitants. This is one of the city’s business districts, located to the northwest. Because to the entry and outflow of individuals at virtually all hours, it is known for everyday mugging activities. Crime and police patrols occur together.
Walking and riding may be difficult during the day owing to the crowds, but at night the atmosphere is more relaxed. Women travelling alone may go wherever they choose because there is no horrific crime history on this side of town. When taking public transit, keep cash and valuables on you at all times.
10. Ledroit Park
This area was renowned as an open-air drug market in the early 1990s. There were also periods in 2016/2017 when robberies and murders increased and decreased considerably. Old-timers recall how it used to be a tough area, but that has changed with the decrease in crime.
In 2018, violent crimes were 184% more than the national average, while total crime rates were 161% higher. However, property crimes are worth keeping an eye out for since they occur at all hours of the day and night. Taxis are preferable to public transit, but in any event, cash and valuables should be kept close to the body and attention focused.
But is it safe for visitors to visit Washington, DC? Walking and biking are quite safe in this neighbourhood at any time of day, for elderly folks or even solitary female guests. Security is also fostered by frequent police patrols.
Crime Situation in Washington DC
How secure is Washington, D.C.?
Between 2017 and 2018, there was a 3.3 percent and 6.3 percent drop in violent and property offences, respectively. According to FBI data, the major decline in violent crime was shown in robbery crimes, which decreased by 12%, and manslaughter, which fell by 6.2 percent. In terms of property crimes, burglary fell 11.9 percent and theft fell 5.4 percent.
In general, you have a one in twenty chance of becoming a victim of crime in DC.
Top 5 Safe Places in Washington DC
Here are the safest areas in Washington, DC!
1. DuPont Circle
This area, which has been home to a few presidents and luminaries such as Alexander Graham Bell, has a low crime rate, particularly violent crime. While violent crime is expected to be 781 in 2018, property crime is estimated to be 6,838. The 13,633 residents in this area attest to the peace and safety, which is enhanced by frequent patrols by police officers. Most tourists and visitors like the evening atmosphere on Connecticut Ave.
Dupont Circle is safer than 26% of the District of Columbia’s cities.
2. Adam’s Morgan
Only individuals who can endure nature and intense partying will feel comfortable in this neighbourhood, which is better known as a drunk bar-hopping region. There are very few criminal activities here, and if there are, they are concentrated around 18th Street. This is where most bars are located, and where people get into drunken fights and commit common larceny and robberies. This is the incorrect neighbourhood to gauge the safety of Washington, DC at night. It draws a large number of police officers to the area. Redline is the safest neighbourhood in Adams Morgan.
There are around 17,154 individuals in this neighbourhood. The likelihood of becoming a victim of a crime here is one in every 28.
3. Logan Circle
Logan Circle, located in Ward 2 in the northwest quadrant of DC, has a population of 13,768 people. Residents of 10-15 years say they had never felt uncomfortable in this neighbourhood. Although crime occurs, large occurrences are widely dispersed and targeted. 14th and H Streets are the most popular and can attract a high level of crime, such as stealing.
Logan Circle’s violent crime rate is just 17% higher than the national average, with assault and robbery leading the list. However, property crime accounts for 91 percent of overall crime in this neighbourhood, with stealing accounting for 86 percent of the lot.
4. Capitol Hill
This is one of Washington, DC’s safest neighbourhoods. This area, about two miles from the White House, is recognised for its architectural variety. Queen Anne, Second Empire, Romanesque, and other styles date from the 1791s to the 1900s. With a population of 55,592 people, this is one of DC’s biggest neighbourhoods.
Capitol Hill is the safest spot in the country. Aside from the DC police officers that patrol the streets on a regular basis, there is also an extra guard provided by the capital police. Residents feel that walking into a risky area in the neighbourhood is improbable. Walking and biking may happen at any time and in any place.
5. Foggy Bottom
This neighbourhood easily accommodates 6,297 people. Even though it is currently one of the safest neighbourhoods in Washington DC, it was historically infamous for high crime incidences in the 1980s and 1990s, according to reports. The area west of the Anacostia River is the safest. Most people, however, quip that getting to a terrible area from Foggy Bottom would require going out of one’s way.
The police presence on this part of town is extremely noticeable. And the crime rate here is 1% higher than the national average.
Conclusion
Washington, DC has a higher crime rate than other metropolitan cities, notably in terms of property crime. However, the incidence is not so high that you need sleep in an armoured vest. Even though inhabitants claim that most crimes occur outside of the city’s most popular neighbourhoods, it is best to remain careful at all times. Crime has been decreasing in recent years; nevertheless, the rate at which it is occurring is relatively modest.
Despite this, this city remains one of the safest to visit!
