District Heights, MD Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 100% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is District Heights Safe?
No — District Heights has high crime rates
Exercise extra caution. Avoid walking alone at night and stay in well-lit areas.
District Heights has a crime rate that is 309% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 61.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like District Heights earn an A- safety grade, while Walker Mill rates B. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting District Heights.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 61
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
330% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 12
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
363% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
District Heights 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
|
385 | +285% | High | |
|
Assault
|
460 | +360% | Very High | |
|
Robbery
|
340 | +240% | High | |
|
Rape
|
392 | +292% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
392 | +292% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
433 | +333% | Very High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
426 | +326% | Very High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
District Heights Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in District Heights?
Safety varies dramatically across District Heights's 3+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 3Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 3Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 3 neighborhoods in District Heights
All District Heights Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District Heights | A- | 45 |
| 2 | Forestville | B | 104 |
| 3 | Walker Mill | B | 106 |
District Heights Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific District Heights zip codes.
District Heights Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in District Heights, MD?
District Heights, MD has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 309% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 61 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 12 chance for property crime. District Heights has higher crime than 100% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is District Heights, MD safe to live in?
District Heights has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. Approximately 100% of the city's 3 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, District Heights is one of the safest areas, while Walker Mill has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting District Heights is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in District Heights?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in District Heights are District Heights, Forestville, and Walker Mill. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in District Heights?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in District Heights include Walker Mill, Forestville, and District Heights. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in District Heights?
The estimated violent crime rate in District Heights is 1,637.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 330% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 61 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 19.2 per 100K (285% above average); aggravated assault at 1,234.8 per 100K (360% above average); robbery at 251.4 per 100K (240% above average).
What is the property crime rate in District Heights?
The estimated property crime rate in District Heights is 8,483.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 363% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 12 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 1,056.7 per 100K (292% above average); larceny/theft at 6,068.9 per 100K (333% above average); vehicle theft at 1,358.2 per 100K (326% above average).
How does District Heights crime compare to the national average?
District Heights's overall crime rate is 309% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (360% above average), while robbery is 240% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, District Heights has higher crime than 100% of them.
Is District Heights safe to visit?
Visitors to District Heights should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 363% above 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include District Heights, Forestville, Walker Mill.
How does District Heights crime compare to the rest of Maryland?
Maryland as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. District Heights's crime rate is 309% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Maryland city.
What type of crime is most common in District Heights?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in District Heights, with an estimated rate of 6,068.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 333% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (8,484 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,637 per 100K) in District Heights, which is consistent with national trends.