Oswego, NY Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Oswego, NY

What overall crime grade does Oswego, NY receive in 2026?

Oswego earns an A- overall crime grade in 2026 — a strong rating that places it well above average for cities of its size. Out of 91 reported incidents tracked over the most recent 90-day period, the vast majority (78%, or 71 incidents) fall into the "other" miscellaneous category, which typically includes minor infractions and non-violent calls for service. Serious offenses like assault and theft each account for just 10% of total incidents (9 incidents apiece), while burglary represented only 1% (1 incident) and arrests stood at 1% (1 incident). That distribution reflects a city where serious crime is comparatively rare.

What is the crime rate in Oswego, NY, and how does it break down by type?

Over the last 90 days, Oswego recorded 91 total incidents across all categories. The breakdown tells an important story: 78% of incidents were classified as "other" — a broad category covering minor disturbances, nuisance calls, and low-level offenses. Assault accounted for 10% of incidents (9 cases, with the most recent reported on 2026-03-05), and theft also made up 10% (9 cases, latest on 2026-03-05). Burglary was exceptionally rare at just 1% — a single incident last recorded on 2026-02-26. With a population of approximately 17,371 and a density of 880 residents per square mile, these numbers translate to a notably low per-capita serious crime rate, consistent with the city's A- grade.

Is Oswego, NY safe to live in or visit in 2026?

By the numbers, yes — Oswego is a relatively safe community. Its A- crime grade reflects a low frequency of serious offenses relative to its population. Violent incidents like assault represent only 10% of all reported activity in the past 90 days, and property crimes such as theft and burglary combined account for just 11%. That said, context matters: Oswego carries a 27.6% poverty rate and a 10.4% unemployment rate, economic pressures that can correlate with opportunistic crimes like theft. Visitors and new residents should exercise standard precautions — particularly around commercial corridors and waterfront areas where theft incidents have been logged — but the overall risk profile remains low compared to peer cities.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Oswego, NY?

While granular neighborhood-level crime scores vary, Oswego's crime map data points to several areas with consistently lower incident concentrations. Residential zones near the SUNY Oswego campus — including streets around West Fifth Street — benefit from an active campus security presence that supplements city policing. Waterfront neighborhoods along Lake Ontario tend to attract community engagement and foot traffic that naturally deters crime. The historic downtown district also shows strong community cohesion. By contrast, areas with higher poverty density can see a slightly elevated share of the city's theft and assault figures, which is worth monitoring on the live crime map. Overall, Oswego's A- grade suggests that even its less-favored pockets remain manageable by most safety standards.

How does Oswego's poverty rate and unemployment affect its crime statistics?

Oswego's 27.6% poverty rate and 10.4% unemployment rate are meaningfully above national averages, and research consistently links economic hardship to higher rates of property crime. In Oswego's recent data, theft — the most economically motivated serious offense — tied with assault at 10% of all incidents. However, the city's A- overall crime grade demonstrates that local policing, community programs, and the stabilizing influence of SUNY Oswego's campus economy help offset those pressures. The median household income of $45,216 and a median home value of just $90,633 also keep cost-of-living stress relatively contained, which can moderate crime incentives compared to higher-cost cities with similar poverty rates.

Is Oswego, NY a good place to buy a home from a safety perspective?

From a pure safety standpoint, Oswego's A- crime grade is encouraging for prospective homebuyers. With burglary recorded at just 1% of all recent incidents — a single event in the past 90 days — the risk to residential property is low. Theft, at 10% of incidents, is more common but largely concentrated in commercial and high-foot-traffic zones rather than quiet residential blocks. The median home value of $90,633 and median rent of $860 make Oswego one of the more affordable lakeside communities in upstate New York, and the crime profile supports that value proposition. Buyers should still review the interactive crime map to compare specific streets and blocks before committing, as micro-level patterns can differ from citywide averages.