Special Report

The 50 Towns With the Highest Rate of Larceny Theft

welcomia / iStock via Getty Images

Of all the most serious crimes tracked by the FBI — known as Part I offenses — larceny is by far the most common. There were 4.6 million cases of larceny-theft reported in the United States in 2020, accounting for nearly 60% of all Part I offenses, which also include murder, assault, robbery, rаpe, vehicle theft, and burglary. 

Larceny is a classification of crime that includes all nonviolent theft, with the exception of motor-vehicle theft. Common examples of larceny include purse snatching, pick pocketing, shoplifting, and bicycle theft. According to the most recent available estimates from the FBI, larceny-thefts result in an estimated $5.9 billion in losses to victims annually. 

Though larceny-theft is relatively widespread in the United States, in some parts of the country, Americans are at especially high risk of being the victim of theft. 

Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the towns with the highest larceny-theft rates. Towns are ranked by the number of larcenies reported for every 100,000 people. We defined towns based on population thresholds, having at least 2,500 people and less than 25,000 people.

In every town on this list, larceny theft rates are more than triple the national rate of 1,398 incidents per 100,000 people. The largest share of towns on this list are in the South, though the Midwestern state of Missouri is home to six of the towns on this list, more than any other state. 

Larceny is one of three criminal offenses that make up the property crime rate. Due in large part to higher than average larceny rates, in every town on this list, the overall property crime rate also far exceeds the national rate of 1,958 incidents per 100,000 people. Here is a look at the city with the most property crimes in every state.

Click here to see towns with the most larceny-thefts
Click here to read our detailed methodology

50. Edgewater, Colorado
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,212.0
> Total larceny-thefts: 279 — 496th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,912.0 — 35th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 370 — 474th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 5,328

[in-text-ad]

49. Globe, Arizona
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,212.9
> Total larceny-thefts: 382 — 274th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,400.1 — 51st most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 469 — 302nd most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 7,348

Source: Eifel Kreutz / iStock via Getty Images

48. St. James, Missouri
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,231.7
> Total larceny-thefts: 210 — 738th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,103.6 — 63rd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 245 — 860th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,076

Source: catscandotcom / iStock via Getty Images

47. Fife, Washington
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,232.5
> Total larceny-thefts: 539 — 97th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 8,746.7 — 17th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 901 — 50th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 10,096

[in-text-ad-2]

Source: Eric Overton / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

46. Webster, Texas
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,275.0
> Total larceny-thefts: 609 — 70th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,808.1 — 36th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 786 — 72nd most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 11,222

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

45. Dyersburg, Tennessee
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,281.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 857 — 15th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,797.7 — 37th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,103 — 13th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 16,476

[in-text-ad]

44. Darlington, South Carolina
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,292.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 312 — 405th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,344.4 — 53rd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 374 — 466th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 6,043

Source: TennesseePhotographer / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

43. Moraine, Ohio
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,341.2
> Total larceny-thefts: 346 — 331st most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,607.0 — 42nd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 428 — 371st most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 6,486

Source: library_of_congress / Flickr

42. Dilworth, Minnesota
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,392.7
> Total larceny-thefts: 241 — 605th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,086.4 — 64th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 272 — 743rd most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,410

[in-text-ad-2]

41. Roosevelt Park, Michigan
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,404.7
> Total larceny-thefts: 205 — 763rd most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 5,668.3 — 93rd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 215 — 1,014th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,789

Source: RobHainer / Getty Images

40. Panama City Beach, Florida
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,423.9
> Total larceny-thefts: 689 — 39th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 5,951.4 — 71st most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 756 — 80th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 12,751

[in-text-ad]

39. Shenandoah, Texas
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,455.1
> Total larceny-thefts: 169 — 979th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,488.1 — 47th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 201 — 1,091st most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 2,887

38. West Monroe, Louisiana
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,546.4
> Total larceny-thefts: 673 — 45th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,540.8 — 26th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 915 — 42nd most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 12,583

Source: library_of_congress / Flickr

37. Newport, Tennessee
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,552.3
> Total larceny-thefts: 382 — 274th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,180.2 — 31st most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 494 — 267th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 6,848

[in-text-ad-2]

36. Cheraw, South Carolina
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,624.9
> Total larceny-thefts: 311 — 408th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,547.3 — 46th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 362 — 491st most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 5,657

35. Hedwig Village, Texas
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,637.5
> Total larceny-thefts: 149 — 1,132nd most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,129.4 — 60th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 162 — 1,330th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 2,671

[in-text-ad]

Source: Joice Brinkerhoff / iStock via Getty Images

34. Seaside Heights, New Jersey
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,656.5
> Total larceny-thefts: 165 — 1,015th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,650.7 — 41st most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 194 — 1,135th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 2,892

Source: Carl Kaminski / iStock via Getty Images

33. Wildwood, New Jersey
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,725.3
> Total larceny-thefts: 281 — 491st most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,723.7 — 39th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 330 — 561st most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 5,042

Source: emiliomarin66 / iStock via Getty Images

32. Camden, Delaware
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,727.1
> Total larceny-thefts: 204 — 768th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 5,867.5 — 75th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 209 — 1,050th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,484

[in-text-ad-2]

31. Mount Ephraim, New Jersey
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,751.1
> Total larceny-thefts: 263 — 534th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,232.2 — 55th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 285 — 699th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,582

Source: tfoxfoto / iStock via Getty Images

30. Warrenton, Oregon
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,753.0
> Total larceny-thefts: 335 — 355th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,405.6 — 50th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 373 — 471st most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 5,549

[in-text-ad]

29. Bridgeton, Missouri
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,754.7
> Total larceny-thefts: 663 — 48th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,039.3 — 32nd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 811 — 64th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 11,606

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

28. Waynesville, North Carolina
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 5,838.4
> Total larceny-thefts: 594 — 75th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,450.4 — 29th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 758 — 78th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 9,965

Source: felixmizioznikov / Getty Images

27. Lake Park, Florida
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,084.5
> Total larceny-thefts: 524 — 106th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,769.6 — 38th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 583 — 163rd most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 8,508

[in-text-ad-2]

26. Hiram, Georgia
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,114.9
> Total larceny-thefts: 263 — 534th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,672.9 — 40th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 287 — 692nd most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,001

Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

25. Walterboro, South Carolina
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,181.5
> Total larceny-thefts: 333 — 359th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 6,924.1 — 34th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 373 — 471st most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 5,477

[in-text-ad]

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

24. Bemidji, Minnesota
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,346.8
> Total larceny-thefts: 988 — 9th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,329.6 — 30th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,141 — 10th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 15,132

23. Lone Tree, Colorado
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,451.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 866 — 14th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,531.8 — 27th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,011 — 28th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 12,923

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

22. Branson, Missouri
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,453.8
> Total larceny-thefts: 758 — 26th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,952.3 — 23rd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 934 — 38th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 11,416

[in-text-ad-2]

21. Humble, Texas
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,534.2
> Total larceny-thefts: 1,039 — 6th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 8,351.7 — 20th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,328 — 6th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 15,864

20. Morrow, Georgia
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,564.8
> Total larceny-thefts: 481 — 136th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,492.8 — 28th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 549 — 200th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 6,965

[in-text-ad]

Source: library_of_congress / Flickr

19. West Columbia, South Carolina
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,674.8
> Total larceny-thefts: 1,211 — 3rd most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 8,014.1 — 21st most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,454 — 3rd most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 17,641

18. West St. Paul, Minnesota
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 6,792.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 1,359 — 2nd most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,792.3 — 24th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,559 — 2nd most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 19,779

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

17. Gallipolis, Ohio
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 7,106.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 252 — 564th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 7,952.6 — 22nd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 282 — 708th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,710

[in-text-ad-2]

16. Sheridan, Colorado
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 7,348.7
> Total larceny-thefts: 459 — 151st most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 10,102.5 — 11th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 631 — 131st most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 6,089

15. Cassville, Missouri
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 7,379.3
> Total larceny-thefts: 243 — 597th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 8,776.2 — 16th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 289 — 684th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,267

[in-text-ad]

14. Potosi, Missouri
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 7,632.4
> Total larceny-thefts: 196 — 817th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 9,852.0 — 12th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 253 — 823rd most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 2,608

Source: Joecho-16 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

13. North Kansas City, Missouri
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 7,822.3
> Total larceny-thefts: 361 — 309th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 10,725.9 — 8th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 495 — 264th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 4,477

12. Manning, South Carolina
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 7,831.5
> Total larceny-thefts: 303 — 426th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 9,278.9 — 14th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 359 — 494th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 3,943

[in-text-ad-2]

11. Tolleson, Arizona
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 8,192.8
> Total larceny-thefts: 612 — 66th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 12,168.7 — 5th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 909 — 44th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 7,246

Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

10. Pineville, North Carolina
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 8,248.3
> Total larceny-thefts: 760 — 25th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 10,353.8 — 9th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 954 — 34th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 8,749

[in-text-ad]

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

9. Lake Delton, Wisconsin
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 8,283.2
> Total larceny-thefts: 248 — 579th most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 8,884.4 — 15th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 266 — 775th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 2,989

Source: library_of_congress / Flickr

8. South Tucson, Arizona
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 8,998.8
> Total larceny-thefts: 515 — 114th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 11,619.8 — 7th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 665 — 115th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 5,667

7. Gonzales, Louisiana
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 9,042.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 1,003 — 8th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 9,790.8 — 13th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,086 — 17th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 10,789

[in-text-ad-2]

Source: DianeBentleyRaymond / iStock via Getty Images

6. Emeryville, California
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 9,060.7
> Total larceny-thefts: 1,117 — 4th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 11,753.7 — 6th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 1,449 — 4th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 11,899

5. Waite Park, Minnesota
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 9,216.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 720 — 31st most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 10,112.6 — 10th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 790 — 70th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 7,692

[in-text-ad]

Source: David_Johnson / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

4. Tukwila, Washington
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 10,745.5
> Total larceny-thefts: 2,201 — the most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 14,416.8 — 3rd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 2,953 — the most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 20,196

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

3. South Padre Island, Texas
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 12,157.3
> Total larceny-thefts: 337 — 351st most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 13,492.1 — 4th most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 374 — 466th most of 3,634 towns (tied)
> Population: 2,818

2. Glendale, Colorado
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 13,732.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 720 — 31st most of 3,649 towns (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 17,242.0 — 2nd most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 904 — 46th most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 5,177

[in-text-ad-2]

1. West Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> 2020 larceny-thefts per 100K people: 20,117.6
> Total larceny-thefts: 821 — 20th most of 3,649 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people: 22,004.4 — the most of 3,634 towns
> Total property crimes: 898 — 51st most of 3,634 towns
> Population: 4,146

Methodology 

To determine the town with the highest larceny-theft rate, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed larceny-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 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.

Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.