Burglary – defined as the unlawful entry of a structure, such as a home or business, to commit a theft or felony – is the most serious nonviolent offense tracked by the FBI. There were just over 1 million burglaries reported in the United States in 2020, a 7% decline from the previous year.
Most burglaries in the U.S. are committed in residential properties, and more often during the day than at night. These crimes are typically committed for monetary gain and result in billions of dollars in stolen property each year. Not only do victims of burglaries typically suffer material loss, but they can also be impacted psychologically. Many burglary victims have reported heightened anxiety, difficulty sleeping, feelings of vulnerability, and even post-traumatic stress disorder in some cases.
While the burglary rates have been declining in most of the country, some American towns are bucking the national trend, reporting a year-over-year surge in break-ins. Here is a look at the American cities with the most break-ins.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 towns where the burglary rate is rising fastest. Towns – defined as places with populations between 2,500 and 25,000 people – are ranked by the year-over-year change in the number of burglaries reported for every 100,000 people.
Among the towns on this list, burglary rates have climbed anywhere from 431 incidents for every 100,000 people to 2,672 per 100,000. Nationwide, the burglary rate fell by 26 incidents per 100,000 people. Most of the towns on this list are in the South, including 11 in North Carolina alone.
In every town on this list, the burglary rate exceeds the national rate of 314 per 100,000 people. Burglary – along with vehicle theft and larceny – is one component of the overall property crime category. In most towns on this list, the property crime rate also climbed in the last year. Here is a look at the states where property crime is soaring.
Click here to see the towns where the burglary rate is soaring
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. Newport, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +431.4
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 30 — 850th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 645.7 — 320th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +801.1 — 112th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,894.1 — 1,003rd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 4,606
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Source: via Facebook / courtesy of Town of Pantego
49. Pantego, Texas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +436.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 18 — 1,300th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 710.6 — 258th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -1,610.5 — 48th lowest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,632.1 — 277th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,531
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
48. Daytona Beach Shores, Florida
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +444.2
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 40 — 606th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 859.1 — 153rd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +992.3 — 73rd highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,329.0 — 356th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 4,483
47. Carthage, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +451.4
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 27 — 941st highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,045.7 — 91st highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +710.5 — 128th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,563.1 — 297th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,480
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46. Hallettsville, Texas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +452.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 17 — 1,355th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 642.7 — 322nd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,014.6 — 68th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,495.3 — 680th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,627
45. Hillsboro, Kansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +466.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 21 — 1,168th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 751.1 — 231st highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +365.7 — 357th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,609.4 — 1,236th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,839
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.jpg "Salem, Illinois (48318771512).jpg by Paul Sableman from St. Louis, MO")
44. Salem, Illinois
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +471.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 66 — 257th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 953.6 — 118th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: N/A
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A
> Population: 7,027
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43. Zebulon, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +471.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 54 — 394th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 884.7 — 143rd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +660.7 — 145th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 4,685.5 — 125th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 5,404
Source: traveler1116 / iStock via Getty Images
42. Live Oak, Florida
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +472.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 109 — 91st highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,560.5 — 29th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,275.1 — 37th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,564.8 — 296th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 6,890
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
41. Magnolia, Arkansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +481.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 150 — 39th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,311.9 — 45th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +972.1 — 78th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,550.8 — 303rd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 11,562
Source: felixmizioznikov / Getty Images
40. Palm Springs, Florida
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +492.1
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 257 — 8th highest of 2,884 towns
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,009.8 — 102nd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -701.7 — 317th lowest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,080.4 — 430th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 24,843
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Source: Joel Bradshaw / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
39. Stanford, Kentucky
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +493.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 22 — 1,126th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 602.2 — 367th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +634.1 — 158th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,259.2 — 1,088th lowest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,677
Source: ScottNodine / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
38. Newberry, South Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +499.1
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 105 — 99th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,031.3 — 96th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -78.8 — 1,279th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,850.3 — 231st highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 10,245
37. Clay Center, Kansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +507.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 35 — 723rd highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 887.4 — 141st highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +660.4 — 146th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,915.8 — 495th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 4,026
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36. Fulton, Mississippi
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +507.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 35 — 723rd highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 878.5 — 147th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -575.4 — 419th lowest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,886.5 — 510th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 4,016
35. Baxter Springs, Kansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +509.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 40 — 606th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,021.7 — 98th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,170.3 — 47th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,473.8 — 321st highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,983
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34. Williamston, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +526.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 106 — 96th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 2,060.3 — 12th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -897.9 — 207th lowest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 5,772.6 — 64th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 5,312
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Source: DianeBentleyRaymond / iStock via Getty Images
33. Emeryville, California
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +538.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 161 — 35th highest of 2,884 towns
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,306.0 — 47th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -9,433.7 — 2nd lowest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 11,753.7 — 6th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 11,899
Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images
32. Miami Springs, Florida
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +540.2
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 113 — 82nd highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 811.5 — 185th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: -29.4 — 1,145th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,621.2 — 626th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 14,146
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31. Paradise, California
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +550.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 35 — 723rd highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 859.5 — 151st highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,679.7 — 19th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,431.2 — 704th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 22,135
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
30. Alexander, Arkansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +567.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 37 — 667th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,049.9 — 88th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +522.1 — 226th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,724.2 — 584th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,168
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Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
29. Fort Scott, Kansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +601.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 49 — 454th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 639.9 — 326th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +2,529.6 — 5th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,538.8 — 308th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 7,742
28. Mandan, North Dakota
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +608.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 212 — 13th highest of 2,884 towns
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 913.0 — 128th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,352.2 — 32nd highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 4,220.3 — 176th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 22,301
27. North Riverside, Illinois
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +610.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 44 — 533rd highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 687.3 — 275th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: N/A
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A
> Population: 6,646
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Source: CZmarlin / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
26. Raeford, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +622.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 54 — 394th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,082.2 — 83rd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +626.0 — 164th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,765.5 — 563rd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 4,926
25. Austin, Arkansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +641.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 36 — 700th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 818.0 — 181st highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +880.2 — 97th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,408.8 — 1,243rd lowest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,350
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24. Perkins, Oklahoma
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +643.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 38 — 644th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,349.9 — 41st highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +193.9 — 598th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,735.3 — 577th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,855
Source: smu_cul_digitalcollections / Flickr
23. Pearsall, Texas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +659.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 123 — 68th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,140.7 — 65th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +313.0 — 417th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,567.3 — 1,273rd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 10,436
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
22. Madill, Oklahoma
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +664.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 32 — 801st highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 787.6 — 199th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +339.2 — 397th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,470.3 — 323rd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,937
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21. Larned, Kansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +666.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 31 — 829th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 853.5 — 157th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +2,611.0 — 4th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,386.6 — 343rd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,813
Source: library_of_congress / Flickr
20. Gering, Nebraska
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +668.9
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 61 — 299th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 754.4 — 224th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +460.0 — 274th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,620.1 — 1,229th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 8,254
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19. Atoka, Oklahoma
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +672.0
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 55 — 378th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,821.8 — 16th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +707.7 — 130th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 4,604.2 — 133rd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,973
18. Newport, Arkansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +681.4
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 120 — 72nd highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,616.6 — 24th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +943.8 — 84th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 5,873.6 — 56th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 7,616
17. Waldron, Arkansas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +683.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 60 — 312th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,794.3 — 18th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +675.7 — 139th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 4,037.1 — 199th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,405
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
16. Ballinger, Texas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +715.2
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 38 — 644th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,047.1 — 89th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,126.6 — 49th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 1,956.5 — 966th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,659
Source: TerryKelly / iStock via Getty Images
15. Perry, Florida
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +753.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 149 — 42nd highest of 2,884 towns
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 2,170.4 — 8th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +833.3 — 106th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 4,996.4 — 106th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 6,896
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Source: J. Michael Jones / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
14. Hudson, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +783.2
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 40 — 606th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,080.2 — 85th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +729.8 — 125th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,132.6 — 415th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,701
13. Wadesboro, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +787.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 118 — 74th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 2,260.1 — 7th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +564.1 — 204th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 6,991.0 — 26th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 5,305
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
12. Eagle Lake, Texas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +887.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 51 — 428th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,344.6 — 42nd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +922.4 — 92nd highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,293.7 — 778th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,739
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11. Georgetown, Illinois
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +922.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 35 — 723rd highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,109.7 — 73rd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: N/A
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: N/A
> Population: 7,469
10. Berwick, Louisiana
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +966.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 59 — 325th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,351.7 — 40th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +841.7 — 104th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,291.0 — 779th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 4,584
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Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images
9. Olney, Texas
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +1,171.7
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 61 — 299th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,980.5 — 14th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,239.3 — 41st highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,792.2 — 552nd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,117
8. Mascotte, Florida
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +1,248.1
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 137 — 51st highest of 2,884 towns
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 2,118.1 — 9th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +655.6 — 148th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,813.9 — 545th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 5,743
7. Bowling Green, Florida
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +1,356.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 55 — 378th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,908.4 — 15th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,640.2 — 21st highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,226.9 — 382nd highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,893
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6. Pearisburg, Virginia
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +1,451.8
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 41 — 591st highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,565.5 — 28th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,355.8 — 31st highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 3,894.6 — 224th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,652
Source: vermontalm / iStock via Getty Images
5. Vergennes, Vermont
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +1,475.4
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 41 — 591st highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 1,591.0 — 26th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,753.9 — 17th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 2,793.9 — 551st highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 2,596
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4. Dunn, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +2,192.5
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 325 — 5th highest of 2,884 towns
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 3,328.9 — 2nd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +2,409.7 — 8th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 7,671.8 — 20th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 9,664
Source: digidreamgrafix / iStock via Getty Images
3. Edenton, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +2,239.3
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 139 — 49th highest of 2,884 towns
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 3,038.3 — 3rd highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +2,114.8 — 12th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 5,245.9 — 91st highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 4,676
2. Red Springs, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +2,620.6
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 142 — 45th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 4,326.6 — the highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +2,513.1 — 6th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 8,409.5 — 16th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 3,378
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Source: Indy beetle / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1. North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
> Change in reported burglary rate, 2019-2020: +2,672.2
> Burglaries reported in 2020: 115 — 79th highest of 2,884 towns (tied)
> Burglaries per 100K people in 2020: 2,743.3 — 4th highest of 2,884 towns
> 1-yr. change in all property crime per 100K people: +1,452.0 — 26th highest of 2,654 towns
> Property crimes per 100K people in 2020: 4,556.3 — 136th highest of 2,656 towns
> Population: 4,194
Methodology
To determine the towns where the burglary rate is rising fastest, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the change in burglaries per 100,000 people from the FBI’s 2019 and 2020 Uniform Crime Reports. Crime rates were calculated using population figures provided by the FBI in the 2020 and 2019 UCR.
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. Because some state and local agencies changed reporting practices between 2019 and 2020, the figures are not comparable, and the areas were excluded.
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.
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