Fredonia, NY Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Fredonia, NY

What is Fredonia's overall crime grade?

Fredonia earns an overall crime grade of A-, reflecting a meaningfully safer environment than the majority of U.S. cities and towns. For a community of roughly 10,311 residents, this rating signals that serious crime is relatively uncommon and that local law enforcement efforts are making a measurable difference. The A- grade places Fredonia well above average when compared to similarly sized college towns across New York State and the broader Northeast.

How does Fredonia's crime rate compare to similar towns?

With an A- crime grade, Fredonia outperforms a large share of comparable communities. Context matters here: Fredonia carries a poverty rate of 24.2% and an unemployment rate of 7.9%, two socioeconomic factors that research consistently links to elevated crime levels. The fact that the town still achieves an A- grade despite those pressures suggests strong community cohesion and active policing. The median household income of $56,406 and a relatively affordable median home value of $146,517 contribute to a stable residential base that supports safer conditions.

What types of crime are most common in Fredonia?

As is typical for small college towns, property-related offenses — including theft, vandalism, and occasional vehicle break-ins — represent the most frequently reported incident categories in Fredonia. Violent crimes are considerably less common, consistent with the town's A- overall grade. Substance-related incidents are also monitored by the Fredonia Police Department, particularly given the presence of the SUNY Fredonia campus. Reviewing the interactive crime map can show you the current breakdown of incident types by category and help you understand which, if any, are trending upward or downward over time.

What are the safest areas in Fredonia?

While Fredonia does not publish official neighborhood-level crime grades, patterns visible on the crime map point to a few consistently lower-activity zones. Residential streets near the SUNY Fredonia campus benefit from both campus security patrols and community watch engagement, keeping incident rates low. The quieter suburban corridors on the town's outskirts — including areas near Fredonia State Park — tend to see fewer reported incidents than the denser downtown core around Main Street and Central Avenue, where foot traffic and retail activity naturally attract a higher share of minor property crimes. Using the crime map's time-filter and heat-map features lets you compare these areas side by side.

Is Fredonia safe for families and students?

Yes. Fredonia's A- crime grade, combined with a population density of just 775 people per square mile, creates a low-pressure environment well suited to families and college students. The town's small scale — under 11,000 residents — means neighbors tend to know one another, which research shows is one of the strongest predictors of community safety. Families are drawn to the affordable housing stock (median rent of $776/month) and the town's access to outdoor recreation along Lake Erie. Students benefit from SUNY Fredonia's on-campus security infrastructure as well as the broader community's generally low violent-crime profile.

How can I use the Fredonia crime map to stay safe?

The crime map is most useful when you treat it as a living data source rather than a static snapshot. Check it regularly to spot any emerging clusters of property crime in your block or commute corridor. Use the date-range filter to distinguish one-off incidents from recurring patterns. If you notice a concentration of theft reports near a particular street or parking area, that's a practical signal to add a steering-wheel lock, park in well-lit spots, or alert neighbors through a community watch channel. For urgent concerns, contact the Fredonia Police Department directly through their official website at fredoniapolice.org.

Is Fredonia a good place to live given its economic challenges?

Fredonia's 24.2% poverty rate and 7.9% unemployment rate are genuine challenges that reflect wider economic pressures across Chautauqua County. Yet the town's A- crime grade demonstrates that these figures have not translated into a high-crime environment — a testament to community investment and local policing. The median home value of $146,517 makes homeownership accessible relative to most of New York State, and the median rent of $776 per month is well below state averages. For buyers and renters weighing affordability against safety, Fredonia's data profile is notably favorable: you get a low-crime, culturally active college town at a price point that larger metro areas simply cannot match.