Motor vehicle theft, one of the most serious offenses tracked by the FBI, is on the rise in the United States. There were a total of 810,400 motor vehicle thefts nationwide in 2020, the most in over a decade.
Motor vehicle theft can be either the theft or attempted theft of a vehicle, such as a car, truck, ATV, or motorcycle. Some experts attribute the rising rates of vehicle theft to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to vehicles sitting unattended and unused for longer than usual. Additionally, vehicle theft is often committed for monetary gain, and the pandemic sent unemployment soaring and left many Americans struggling financially.
While motorists nationwide now face a greater risk of vehicle theft than they have in many years, in some parts of the country, car owners are far more likely to be victims of car theft than in others.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 towns where your car is most likely to be stolen. Towns – defined as places with populations between 2,500 and 25,000 – are ranked by the number of motor vehicle thefts reported for every 100,000 people.
In every town on this list, vehicle theft rates are far higher than — and in some cases more than 10 times — the national rate of 246 incidents per 100,000 people. The largest share of towns on this list are in the West — though Missouri, located in the Midwest, is home to 12 of them, more than any other state.
Motor vehicle theft — along with larceny and burglary — is one of three criminal offenses that make up the property crime category. Due in large part to higher than average vehicle theft rates, in every town on this list, the overall property crime rate exceeds the national rate of 1,958 incidents per 100,000 people. Here is a look at the 10 most stolen cars in America.
Click here to see towns where your car is most likely to be stolen
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Nevada City, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 697.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 22 — 780th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 2,820.0 — 719th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 89 — 1,570th lowest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,144
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Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
49. Pineville, North Carolina
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 705.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 65 — 137th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 10,353.8 — 9th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 954 — 34th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 8,749
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
48. Yreka, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 721.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 54 — 193rd highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 2,964.3 — 637th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 222 — 977th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 7,562
Source: library_of_congress / Flickr
47. South Tucson, Arizona
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 733.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 42 — 311th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 11,619.8 — 7th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 665 — 115th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 5,667
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46. Byron, Georgia
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 735.3
> Total vehicle thefts: 39 — 353rd highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 2,714.9 — 783rd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 144 — 1,446th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 5,149
Source: Arpad Benedek / iStock via Getty Images
45. Castle Hills, Texas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 754.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 34 — 434th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,010.2 — 69th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 271 — 751st highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,447
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Source: Eric Overton / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
44. Webster, Texas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 762.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 88 — 65th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,808.1 — 36th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 786 — 72nd highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 11,222
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43. Toppenish, Washington
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 773.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 68 — 121st highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 5,516.4 — 104th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 485 — 280th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 8,873
Source: bennymarty / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
42. Barstow, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 773.7
> Total vehicle thefts: 186 — 10th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,860.1 — 326th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 928 — 40th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 23,899
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41. Potosi, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 778.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 20 — 865th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 9,852.0 — 12th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 253 — 823rd highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 2,608
40. Harper Woods, Michigan
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 796.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 109 — 39th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,011.9 — 619th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 412 — 391st highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 13,895
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Source: library_of_congress / Flickr
39. Newport, Tennessee
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 799.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 55 — 186th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,180.2 — 31st highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 494 — 267th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 6,848
38. Shively, Kentucky
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 800.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 126 — 25th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,234.8 — 530th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 509 — 246th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 15,726
Source: OwensImaging / iStock via Getty Images
37. Oroville, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 810.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 170 — 12th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 2,802.3 — 731st highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 588 — 160th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 19,393
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36. Bridgeton, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 815.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 94 — 59th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,039.3 — 32nd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 811 — 64th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 11,606
35. Rossville, Georgia
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 825.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 33 — 454th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 4,826.2 — 162nd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 193 — 1,141st highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,006
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Source: Public Domain / satingirlz3 / Flickr
34. Markham, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 830.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 102 — 48th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 12,493
Source: Ladue School District / Facebook
33. Breckenridge Hills, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 835.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 38 — 363rd highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 2,946.4 — 650th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 134 — 1,536th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,616
32. Garden City, Georgia
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 860.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 75 — 97th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 4,612.2 — 189th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 402 — 406th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 8,885
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31. Riverview, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 886.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 25 — 682nd highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,971.6 — 301st highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 112 — 1,744th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 2,863
30. Hazel Crest, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 887.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 120 — 31st highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 13,549
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29. West Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 906.6
> Total vehicle thefts: 37 — 382nd highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 22,004.4 — the highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 898 — 51st highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 4,146
28. Roosevelt, Utah
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 924.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 68 — 121st highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 4,389.2 — 224th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 323 — 588th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 7,041
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
27. Poplar Bluff, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 933.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 158 — 14th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,551.7 — 45th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,109 — 12th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 17,023
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Source: Melpomenem / iStock via Getty Images
26. El Segundo, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 945.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 157 — 15th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 4,667.3 — 180th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 775 — 76th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 16,731
Source: Courtesy of City of Balcones Heights, Texas via Facebook
25. Balcones Heights, Texas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 951.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 32 — 471st highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,038.1 — 68th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 203 — 1,082nd highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,282
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
24. Ferguson, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 958.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 196 — 8th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 5,192.1 — 133rd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,062 — 19th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 20,738
Source: Courtesy of City of Vinita Park, MO via Facebook
23. Vinita Park, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 995.3
> Total vehicle thefts: 109 — 39th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 4,620.6 — 188th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 506 — 250th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 1,619
22. Edgewater, Colorado
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,046.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 56 — 178th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,912.0 — 35th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 370 — 474th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 5,328
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21. Riverside, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,063.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 38 — 363rd highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 5,763.9 — 83rd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 206 — 1,064th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,342
Source: raksybH / iStock via Getty Images
20. Chattahoochee, Florida
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,077.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 34 — 434th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,674.4 — 378th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 116 — 1,695th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,113
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19. Pagedale, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,155.7
> Total vehicle thefts: 38 — 363rd highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,345.5 — 492nd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 110 — 1,759th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,306
18. Signal Hill, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,159.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 133 — 21st highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,435.9 — 49th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 738 — 84th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 11,512
Source: MattGush / iStock via Getty Images
17. Santa Fe Springs, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,174.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 209 — 6th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 5,840.0 — 77th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,039 — 22nd highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 17,810
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16. Humble, Texas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,264.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 201 — 7th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 8,351.7 — 20th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,328 — 6th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 15,864
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Addison, Texas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,281.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 215 — 4th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,067.5 — 67th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,018 — 27th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 15,302
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14. Tolleson, Arizona
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,298.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 97 — 54th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 12,168.7 — 5th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 909 — 44th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 7,246
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13. Merriam, Kansas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,316.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 146 — 17th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,115.3 — 61st highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 678 — 109th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 11,185
12. Bellefontaine Neighbors, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,380.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 143 — 18th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,688.7 — 371st highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 382 — 445th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 10,517
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11. Emeryville, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,387.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 171 — 11th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 11,753.7 — 6th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,449 — 4th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 11,899
Source: sgoodwin4813 / iStock via Getty Images
10. College Park, Georgia
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,400.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 213 — 5th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,143.1 — 59th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 934 — 38th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 14,501
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Source: Courtesy of City of Woodson Terrace, Missouri via Facebook
9. Woodson Terrace, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,488.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 60 — 160th highest of 3,890 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,025.8 — 614th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 122 — 1,640th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,052
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Source: jmoor17 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
8. Marysville, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,557.6
> Total vehicle thefts: 195 — 9th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 3,698.4 — 369th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 463 — 309th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 12,327
Source: krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images
7. Brownfield, Texas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 1,791.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 167 — 13th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 2,681.3 — 803rd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 250 — 835th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 9,525
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6. Sheridan, Colorado
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 2,001.3
> Total vehicle thefts: 125 — 26th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 10,102.5 — 11th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 631 — 131st highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 6,089
5. North Kansas City, Missouri
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 2,383.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 110 — 38th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 10,725.9 — 8th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 495 — 264th highest of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,477
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4. Tukwila, Washington
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 2,587.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 530 — the highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 14,416.8 — 3rd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 2,953 — the highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 20,196
Source: catscandotcom / iStock via Getty Images
3. Fife, Washington
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 2,757.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 284 — 3rd highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 8,746.7 — 17th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 901 — 50th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 10,096
2. Commerce, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 2,832.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 358 — 2nd highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 8,456.6 — 18th highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,069 — 18th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 12,830
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1. Glendale, Colorado
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 2,861.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 150 — 16th highest of 3,890 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 17,242.0 — 2nd highest of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 904 — 46th highest of 3,634 towns
> Population: 5,177
Methodology
To determine the towns where your car is most likely to be stolen, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed motor vehicle theft figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report.
We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 2,500 people and less than 25,000 people — using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Limited data was available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though towns in these states were not excluded from analysis.
Data for property crime — a category that includes larceny-theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft — also came from the 2020 FBI UCR. Population figures are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. However, these estimates were not used to calculate crime rates. Crime rates per 100,000 people were calculated using population figures provided by the FBI in the 2020 UCR.
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