Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square Neighborhood, Washington
Crime Rate & Statistics
Moderate safety — crime is near or slightly above average
Safer than 26% of neighborhoods in Washington
Safety at a Glance
Check a specific address
in Washington
Is Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square Safe?
Somewhat — crime here is near the national average. Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square in Washington, DC has a safety grade of C+. The overall crime index is 152, which is 52% above the national average of 100. Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square is safer than 26% of neighborhoods in Washington.
Compared to the Washington average (crime index 105), Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square is 47% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.
Looking at specific crime types, murder is the most elevated concern (index: 158, 58% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 100).
Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square Crime Breakdown
Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Washington city average. Higher values mean more crime.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
158 | +58% | High | |
|
Assault
|
157 | +57% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
124 | +24% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
100 | 0% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
118 | +18% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
153 | +53% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
155 | +55% | High | |
How Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square Compares
Crime index by category: Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square vs Washington average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
See the crime score for a specific address
Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square, Washington?
Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square in Washington, DC has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 152, which is 52% above the national average. Compared to the Washington average, crime in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square is 47% higher. Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square is safer than 26% of neighborhoods in Washington.
Is Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square a safe neighborhood in Washington?
Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Murder (index: 158), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 100).
How does Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square compare to the rest of Washington?
Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square's overall crime index is 152, compared to the Washington average of 105. This means crime in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square is 47% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 135, and for property crime it is 142. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.
What type of crime is most common in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square?
The most prevalent crime type in Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square is Murder, with a crime index of 158 (58% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.
What are safer neighborhoods near Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square?
Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include National Mall / West Potomac Park, Logan Circle / Shaw / U Street, Dupont Circle / Connecticut Avenue / K Street and Foggy Bottom / West End / GWU. These areas are close to Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.
What are the demographics of Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square?
Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square has a population of approximately 17,126. The median household income is $109,764. The median home value is $588,704. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square crime compare to the national average?
Downtown / Chinatown / Penn Quarter / Mount Vernon Square's overall crime rate is 52% above the national average (index 152 vs 100). Within Washington, it is safer than 26% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.
Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.