Which neighborhoods are dangerous in New York?

This list of New York’s most dangerous neighborhoods was compiled in December 2015 by AddressReport, based on crime rates recorded by the New York Police Department across New York’s 250 neighborhoods. This is not the personal opinion of the blogger writing these lines, but rather a study of official figures that account for all crimes and offenses.

Here are the 20 neighborhoods with the highest number of crimes and offenses relative to population, in descending order:

1/ Vinegar Hill (Brooklyn)

Vinegar Hill sits just east of Dumbo, near the Brooklyn Bridge. It has the highest crime rate of any New York neighborhood. This difficult area has nothing to offer tourists, so you can easily avoid it. There’s no reason to seek adventure there.

2/ Downtown Brooklyn (Brooklyn)

Downtown Brooklyn is worth a visit, yet it remains at the top of crime statistics. The problem is that Downtown Brooklyn looks completely different by day and by night. During business hours, you’ll feel safe. At night, however, there’s no reason to linger.

3/ Times Square (Manhattan)

According to New York Police Department statistics, Times Square ranks as the third most dangerous neighborhood in New York. What drives these statistics up is not murder, but rather a very high number of thefts. I personally witnessed a pickpocketing on Times Square a few years ago: the thief rushed at his victim, snatched her bag, and ran off. He didn’t get far, though: a police officer who had seen the scene from across the street jumped in and caught the thief.

On Times Square, stay alert and keep your wallet in an inside pocket. Otherwise, Times Square is a place you should definitely visit for the experience. For more information, see our guide to Times Square.

4/ Meatpacking District (Manhattan)

The Meatpacking District still struggles to shake its reputation as a rough area and drug marketplace. Today’s Meatpacking District, however, bears little resemblance to what it was in the 1980s, and I’m genuinely surprised to see it still ranking high in NYPD statistics.

You’ll find that during the day the neighborhood is very peaceful and safe.

5/ Koreatown (Manhattan)

Just steps from the Empire State Building, this neighborhood has a rough reputation. During the day, you have little to worry about, and in the evening, simply stay on well-lit streets. I must admit I’m also very surprised to see this neighborhood in fifth place on the ranking.

6/ Port Morris (Bronx)

This neighborhood at the southern tip of the Bronx ranks as the sixth most dangerous in New York. Unlike Times Square, Meatpacking District, and Koreatown, crimes here are far more violent. On May 11, 2016, the New York Police Department conducted a major operation to arrest members of a gang involved in drug trafficking. But such gangs reconstitute themselves just as quickly. Port Morris has nothing to offer tourists anyway, so I’d suggest skipping it.

7/ Garment District (Manhattan)

Bounded by 6th Avenue to the east, 9th Avenue to the west, 34th Street to the south, and 40th Street to the north, the Garment District is not a dangerous neighborhood in itself—quite the opposite. During the day, the neighborhood is vibrant and 8th Avenue is very pleasant. What drives the Garment District up in New York Police Department statistics is the area around Port Authority Bus Terminal, at the neighborhood’s northern edge. Like a major transit hub in any city, this large terminal is not the most welcoming place in New York, especially at night. But unless you’re looking for trouble with homeless people and small-time dealers, you’ll have no problems in this neighborhood.

8/ Greenwood Heights (Brooklyn)

Known for Greenwood Cemetery, Greenwood Heights appears on the ranking because of burglaries and car thefts. Otherwise, you won’t feel in danger in this neighborhood. I’d obviously advise against walking around at night. Besides, Greenwood Heights has nothing to offer after dark.

9/ Hunts Point (Bronx)

East of Port Morris, Hunts Point is a neighborhood to avoid. Here too, crimes and offenses are largely tied to gangs and drugs. Hunts Point has no tourist appeal.

10/ East New York (Brooklyn)

This neighborhood near JFK Airport regularly makes headlines for drug trafficking. The New York Police Department arrested 6 people in April 2016, and it’s not one of New York’s friendliest neighborhoods. But you’re very unlikely to pass through it, even when heading to Manhattan—the highways avoid it too.

11/ Ocean Hill (Brooklyn)

In the heart of Brooklyn, Ocean Hill has a very bad reputation. This neighborhood has nothing to offer tourists, and there’s no reason to venture there.

12/ Union Square (Manhattan)

Like Times Square, Union Square ranks high on New York’s crime statistics because of numerous thefts and petty larceny. You’ll feel perfectly safe on Union Square, but you should simply watch your belongings and not tempt pickpockets who may be operating.

The last 8 neighborhoods on this list have no tourist appeal. For some of them, I’ve never even heard of them! You can safely ignore them.

13/ Fort Greene (Brooklyn)

14/ Brownsville (Brooklyn)

15/ Bronx River (Bronx)

16/ Navy Hill (Brooklyn)

17/ Mount Eden (Bronx)

18/ Longwood (Bronx)

19/ Mott Haven (Bronx)

20/ Fordham (Bronx)

Finally, note that Harlem and some Brooklyn neighborhoods, such as Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick, no longer appear on the list of New York’s 20 most dangerous neighborhoods. Like all cities, neighborhoods evolve. Harlem is increasingly popular. The same is true of Bushwick, which is even the subject of a Brooklyn tour, for fans of hip-hop culture and graffiti.

And apart from the few neighborhoods mentioned above, you’ll find that New York is a generally safe city, just like Paris. But a well-informed visitor is worth two!