Athens, NY Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Athens Safe?
Yes — Athens is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Athens has a crime rate that is 49% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 617.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 617
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
57% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 188
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
71% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Athens Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
38 | -62% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
22 | -78% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
38 | -62% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Athens Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Athens Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Athens zip codes.
Athens Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Athens, NY?
Athens, NY has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 49% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 617 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 188 chance for property crime. Athens has lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Athens, NY safe to live in?
Athens is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Athens is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Athens?
The estimated violent crime rate in Athens is 162.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 617 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.5 per 100K (49% below average); aggravated assault at 114.4 per 100K (57% below average); robbery at 28.2 per 100K (62% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Athens?
The estimated property crime rate in Athens is 532.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 71% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 188 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 97.5 per 100K (64% below average); larceny/theft at 313.5 per 100K (78% below average); vehicle theft at 121.7 per 100K (62% below average).
How does Athens crime compare to the national average?
Athens's overall crime rate is 49% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (49% below average), while larceny/theft is 78% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Athens has lower crime than 92% of them.
Is Athens safe to visit?
Athens is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 71% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Athens crime compare to the rest of New York?
New York as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Athens's crime rate is 49% below the national average, making it safer the typical New York city.
What type of crime is most common in Athens?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Athens, with an estimated rate of 313.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 78% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (533 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (162 per 100K) in Athens, which is consistent with national trends.