Hempstead, NY Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Hempstead Safe?
No — Hempstead has high crime rates
Exercise extra caution. Avoid walking alone at night and stay in well-lit areas.
Hempstead has a crime rate that is 264% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 94.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like South Hempstead earn an A safety grade, while South Hempstead rates A. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Hempstead.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 94
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
179% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 13
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
318% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Hempstead 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
|
403 | +303% | Very High | |
|
Assault
|
262 | +162% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
328 | +228% | High | |
|
Rape
|
290 | +190% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
331 | +231% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
398 | +298% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
375 | +275% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Hempstead Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Hempstead?
Safety varies dramatically across Hempstead's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Hempstead
All Hempstead Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Hempstead | A | 102 |
Hempstead Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Hempstead zip codes.
Hempstead Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Hempstead, NY?
Hempstead, NY has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 264% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 94 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 13 chance for property crime. Hempstead has higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Hempstead, NY safe to live in?
Hempstead has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, South Hempstead is one of the safest areas, while South Hempstead has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Hempstead is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Hempstead?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Hempstead are South Hempstead. 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 Hempstead?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Hempstead include South Hempstead. 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 Hempstead?
The estimated violent crime rate in Hempstead is 1,062.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 179% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 94 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 20.1 per 100K (303% above average); aggravated assault at 702.0 per 100K (162% above average); robbery at 242.7 per 100K (228% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Hempstead?
The estimated property crime rate in Hempstead is 7,663.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 318% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 13 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 893.1 per 100K (231% above average); larceny/theft at 5,576.2 per 100K (298% above average); vehicle theft at 1,194.4 per 100K (275% above average).
How does Hempstead crime compare to the national average?
Hempstead's overall crime rate is 264% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (303% above average), while assault is 162% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Hempstead has higher crime than 99% of them.
Is Hempstead safe to visit?
Visitors to Hempstead should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 318% 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 South Hempstead.
How does Hempstead crime compare to the rest of New York?
New York as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Hempstead's crime rate is 264% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New York city.
What type of crime is most common in Hempstead?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Hempstead, with an estimated rate of 5,576.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 298% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (7,664 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,062 per 100K) in Hempstead, which is consistent with national trends.