Scottsdale, AZ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Scottsdale Crime & Safety

Is Scottsdale, AZ safe in 2026?

Scottsdale ranks as one of the safest mid-sized cities in the United States. All 26 neighborhoods analyzed for 2026 earned a Grade A or higher — meaning 100% of Scottsdale neighborhoods fall into the "safe" category. The city-wide safety rating is Very Safe (A), and the overall crime grade sits at A-. For context, most U.S. cities see a significant share of neighborhoods graded C or below; Scottsdale has zero. Areas like South Scottsdale and Old Town Scottsdale carry the city's lowest grades at A-, which still places them well above the national average for urban neighborhoods. Residents and visitors exploring McDowell Mountain Ranch, East Shea, or Pinnacle Peak are in neighborhoods rated A+ — the highest possible designation.

What is the crime rate in Scottsdale compared to other cities?

Scottsdale's crime profile is exceptional by national standards. Every one of the 26 neighborhoods analyzed earned a letter grade of A or A+ — a grade distribution that fewer than 5% of U.S. cities can claim across an entire municipality. The city's poverty rate of 6.8% and unemployment rate of 3.4% are both well below national averages, two socioeconomic factors strongly correlated with lower crime. Affluent neighborhoods like Troon Village (median income: $200,595) and East Shea (median income: $201,048) anchor the top of the safety rankings with A+ grades, while even the comparatively busier corridors — Indian Bend, Horizons, and Via Linda Corridor — hold steady at Grade A. The city's low population density of 535 residents per square mile also contributes to reduced crime concentration relative to denser metro areas.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Scottsdale in 2026?

Ten Scottsdale neighborhoods earned the top A+ rating in 2026. Here is how they break down by population and median household income:

• McDowell Mountain Ranch — A+ | Pop. 9,681 | Median income: $158,007
• East Shea — A+ | Pop. 9,847 | Median income: $201,048
• Pinnacle Peak — A+ | Pop. 12,374 | Median income: $170,521
• Troon Village — A+ | Pop. 2,192 | Median income: $200,595
• Grayhawk — A+ | Pop. 6,085 | Median income: $125,708
• The Boulders — A+ | Pop. 9,340 | Median income: $140,391
• Sweetwater Ranch — A+ | Pop. 1,735 | Median income: $136,981
• Desert Foothills — A+ | Pop. 2,457 | Median income: $154,684
• Reata Pass — A+ | Pop. 1,621 | Median income: $193,029
• Cactus Corridor — A+ | Pop. 7,888 | Median income: $107,952

Among these, Pinnacle Peak is the most populous A+ neighborhood at over 12,000 residents, demonstrating that high safety grades are achievable at scale — not just in small, gated enclaves. Families prioritizing both community size and safety often gravitate toward Pinnacle Peak or McDowell Mountain Ranch.

Which Scottsdale neighborhoods have the most crime?

Even Scottsdale's highest-crime areas are statistically safe. The neighborhoods with the lowest grades in the city are South Scottsdale and Old Town Scottsdale, both rated A-. Indian Bend, Horizons, and Via Linda Corridor follow at Grade A. To put this in perspective: an A- in Scottsdale's grading framework still reflects a low-crime environment — these areas simply see slightly more activity, often tied to higher foot traffic, retail density, and nightlife in Old Town's entertainment district. No Scottsdale neighborhood received a B, C, D, or F grade. That means 0% of the city's analyzed neighborhoods fall below an A-, a distinction that sets Scottsdale apart from virtually every comparably sized city in Arizona and nationally.

Is Scottsdale a good place to live for families?

Scottsdale consistently scores well on the metrics families prioritize most. The city's overall crime grade of A- and 100% of neighborhoods graded A or above provide a strong safety foundation. Economically, the city supports family stability with a median household income of $91,042, a 3.4% unemployment rate, and a poverty rate of just 6.8% — all favorable indicators. The median home value of $494,172 reflects a competitive but stable housing market, while a median rent of $1,452 offers options for renters as well. For families specifically seeking the safest pockets of the city, neighborhoods like Pinnacle Peak (A+, pop. 12,374) and McDowell Mountain Ranch (A+, pop. 9,681) offer large, established communities with top safety grades and median incomes well above $150,000.

How does Scottsdale's safety grade break down across all neighborhoods?

The 2026 neighborhood analysis of Scottsdale's 26 districts produced a remarkably uniform safety profile:

• Grade A+ neighborhoods: 10 (including McDowell Mountain Ranch, East Shea, Pinnacle Peak, Troon Village, Grayhawk, The Boulders, Sweetwater Ranch, Desert Foothills, Reata Pass, and Cactus Corridor)
• Grade A neighborhoods: 13 (including Indian Bend, Horizons, and Via Linda Corridor)
• Grade A- neighborhoods: 3 (including South Scottsdale and Old Town Scottsdale)
• Grade B or below: 0 neighborhoods — 0% of the city

Combined, 100% of Scottsdale neighborhoods fall within the safe (A or B) tier — and every single one is actually A-tier or better. This uniformity is rare and reflects both effective policing and the city's strong socioeconomic base.