Burglary Statistics & Facts You Need to Be Aware of in 2024

This statistic shows how frequently burglaries occur in the US. The number translates to two burglaries per minute which is shocking, to say the least. With up to 3,000 burglaries daily, that is a lot of police work to find the culprits for each break-in. However, not all burglaries are reported, so the actual number might be even higher.

One of the more interesting house burglary facts goes to show most burglars are there to steal goods or money and have no interest in harming the home's occupants. Moreover, assault is the most commonly reported form of violence during a burglary. Of the 7% of violent incidents, 36% result in mental trauma or minor physical injuries. To conclude, the chances of physical harm during a burglary aren't that high.

According to burglary and robbery statistics, New Zealand has the highest burglary rate, while countries like Brazil, Morocco, and Indonesia have some of the lowest. The burglary rate statistics might depend on the way the crime is reported. How stats related to burglary are organized and labeled in different countries varies, so the rate can be heavily skewed from the actual values.

Statistics show that most burglaries are not executed by professionals. In many cases, they happen by opportunists in circumstances they did not plan for.

Although it's one of the most unbelievable home break-in statistics, it's a fact that most burglaries are not planned, which indicates that burglaries can be defined as a spur-of-the-moment crime for the most part. Nevertheless, since many home invasions are not prepared, it gives hope that home security systems will be more effective against those criminals in years to come.

You might have assumed that burglaries accounted for a more considerable percentage of property crimes, but that is not true. Other common property crimes involve motor vehicle theft, which accounts for 10.4% of all property crimes.

Burglary and home invasion stats say that many burglaries have a duration of eight to ten minutes, with some ending in under 90 seconds. Therefore, burglars cannot be picky about what they take. In most cases, the stolen items include electronics, prescription drugs, cash, and jewelry.

The University of North Carolina conducted a survey that revealed shocking information about why burglars steal from homeowners. 51% of the respondents said they needed the money to buy drugs, but an additional 37% said they just wanted the money that they'd eventually use to purchase drugs. According to burglary facts, for drug addicts, pursuing the next score is worth the risk of getting caught during a burglary.

In the same time period, nonresidential burglaries decreased by 5% compared to the first half of 2022. Interestingly, residential burglaries and larcenies decreased compared to the pre-pandemic period, while nonresidential burglaries increased.

Having nearly $3,000 stolen from your home is a significant chunk of money for most, especially if they live from one paycheck to the next one. Furthermore, some items might be stolen or severely damaged. Again, burglaries can take an emotional toll not quantifiable by numbers. According to US burglary statistics, most people report having trouble sleeping at night after a burglary or home invasion, which is obviously negatively impacting their mental health.

The reason why renters are more prone to being burglary victims is that they are less prepared. The renter may not have permission or the enthusiasm to install a home security system. Meanwhile, the owner may not care about the personal items of the renter to install one. The lack of security means burglars won't steer away from taking action.

According to theft statistics, motor vehicle thefts are actually more expensive than the average home invasion. As we said before, an average home invasion lasts eight to ten minutes, meaning it would be difficult to steal enough items from a home that equates to the value of a car. Therefore, it makes sense to protect your vehicle more than your home.

Honda Civic is by no means the most expensive car on the road, but it is the one that's stolen most often. This might be because it is easier to break into, which is an essential criterion for the burglar. Moreover, many people drive that particular model, so the probability of it being stolen is quite up there.

Only a quarter of Americans have home security systems, which is a small number when considering the widespread nature of burglary. Homeowners could be better equipped to prevent burglaries. The lack of deterrence might be an oversight or a lack of money to invest in the security system. However, affordable technologies exist, so there is no excuse for most homeowners not to look into adding some preventive measures.

According to the FBI, there is an overall positive trend regarding the number of burglaries committed. FBI home invasion statistics say that, across the US, burglaries are down by 37%, which is a large number. The fall in the crime rate might result from improved living standards, crime movement to digital form, or better preventive measures.

It is not hard to understand why homes without a security system are more likely to be targeted by burglars. It shows that the homeowner does not have preventative measures, which could cause trouble for the home invader. Burglars understand how to spot home security systems and look for them when casing a neighborhood.

House break-in statistics show that around a 3rd of burglars would be put off by the sound of a barking dog. Therefore, it is a preventative measure, but in most cases, it is not enough to scare away the home invaders. When visible, the dog's size might play a role too. Stickers or signs that a large dog guards the home might also help deter burglars.

Summer consistently receives the highest burglary rates, which are lower by 11% in the winter, 9% in the spring, and 6% in fall. This seems quite logical because many homes become vacant during the holiday season, and there are no occupants to deter the burglars. Luckily, there are home security systems available that allow owners to check the status of their homes while in a different country.

According to the FBI burglary statistics, most burglaries happen during the day. However, this might be because that is when homeowners are out at work, and daylight allows the burglar to see their way around. In some states, the penalty for burglaries is significantly higher if the occupants suffer injuries, so targeting vacant homes is less risky.

Home burglary facts show that a third of home invasions happen at the front door, and 22% are through the back. This means that over half of break-ins happen via a door. Therefore, it makes sense to focus on these home areas when choosing preventive measures. Another 23% of home invasions occur via the ground floor window.

One of the best deterrents for burglars is the noise inside the house. This allows potential home invaders to figure out that somebody is inside the house, and they should look for an easier target. Most burglars target vacant homes since it is much easier. Also, being inside the home or at an office nearby is also rated as an effective deterrent.

You might assume that states like California and New York will suffer from higher burglary rates because of a higher population density. However, the highest burglary rates are reported in rural states. This might be because the police response time in rural areas is lower, and there are fewer people to scare burglars away from a neighborhood.