Is Washington Hill, Baltimore, Safe to Live or Visit in 2024?

Washington Hill Crime Rates and Safety Rankings

Planning to live, visit, or move to Washington Hill? Here's what you need to know to stay safe.

This article analyzes Washington Hill’s most recent crime data, drawing on statistics from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, to determine if the neighborhood is safe or dangerous.

We use a 0-100 crime rate scale. Higher scores mean more crime and greater danger.

We'll compare Washington Hill to Baltimore and national averages, look at crime trends, and highlight key safety concerns.

Read on for essential facts and tips on protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your property in Washington Hill.

Crime and safety snapshot

How dangerous is Washington Hill? The area has some significant safety challenges. The crime rate is high at 81/100, with violent crime at 80/100 and property crime at 82/100. These numbers indicate that crime is a frequent issue in this area. If you're living in or visiting Washington Hill, it's crucial to be vigilant and take extra precautions to ensure your safety.

Washington Hill safety ranking in Baltimore

Washington Hill ranks slightly more dangerous than average Baltimore neighborhoods regarding violent crime. In terms of property crime, it ranks among the most dangerous in the city.

Is Washington Hill Getting Safer or More Dangerous?

Now, let's take a closer look at how safety in Washington Hill has changed over time.

Has Washington Hill become safer (2023 vs. 2022)?

Data reveals that Washington Hill has become slightly more dangerous between 2022 and 2023. While the change isn't dramatic, it's worth being more cautious than before.

How has crime in Washington Hill changed over the years?

Note: We've excluded 2020-2021 from trend comparison analyses due to the unusual crime patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing instead on comparing current data to pre-pandemic trends.

Overall crime rates

Compared to pre-pandemic years (2017 and 2019), Washington Hill is about as safe. Violent crime decreased by 5 points. Property crime decreased by 2 points.

Crimes to be Careful of in Washington Hill

Whether you live in or visit Washington Hill, understanding the frequency of various crimes can help you navigate daily life more safely. By knowing which offenses are more common, you can take appropriate precautions to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property in Washington Hill.

How common are violent crimes in Washington Hill?

In Washington Hill, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is significantly elevated.

Here's a breakdown of risk levels for specific violent crimes:

• Murder/Homicide (deadly attacks): Significantly elevated
• Rape (sexual assault): Elevated
• Robbery (theft by force or threat): Significantly elevated
• Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): Significantly elevated

While in Washington Hill, watch out for the following crimes and take action to stay safe:

• Murder/Homicide and Aggravated Assault: This area sees more violent physical attacks than safer parts of town. After dark, be extra cautious. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and stay alert. If you encounter trouble, shout for help and head to a crowded area. Staying sober is crucial—it helps you stay sharp, spot potential danger from afar, and reduce the chance of becoming a target. If you feel uneasy, duck into a store or another safe place until things seem calmer.

• Rape: Women should be cautious, as sexual assaults are a serious concern here. Avoid walking alone, especially at night. Go out with friends or use trusted ride services. Stay vigilant in quiet areas. Consider carrying pepper spray or a whistle for protection. If threatened, scream for help and run towards busy spots or open businesses.

• Robbery: Muggings are more frequent here. Consider keeping valuables hidden—using a money belt can help protect your belongings.

How frequent are property crimes in Washington Hill?

• Burglary (home break-ins): Significantly elevated
• Larceny (theft, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching): Significantly elevated
• Auto Theft (car stealing): Significantly elevated
• Arson (intentional fire-setting): Significantly elevated

If you own or rent property in Washington Hill, regularly use a vehicle in the area, or frequently spend time in public spaces here:

• Secure your property from home break-ins — install good-quality locks, consider a home security system, and keep windows and doors secure.

• Protect yourself from pickpocketers and bag snatchers — be vigilant with personal belongings in public, secure your bag, and be aware of pickpocketing risks in crowded areas.

• Protect your car — lock it every time you leave, keep valuable items out of sight, install a car alarm if possible, and make sure you have adequate car insurance for extra peace of mind.

• Be mindful of arson risks — protect your property by keeping it well-lit, removing flammable materials from around buildings, getting comprehensive fire insurance coverage, and installing smoke detectors on every floor.

Violent Crime in Washington Hill

Breakdown of violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault)

Here are the latest crime rates for specific violent offenses:

• Murder/Homicide (deadly attacks): 89/100 - a major concern, 29 points higher than the US average.
• Rape (sexual assault): 54/100 - at an average level, 1 points lower than the US average.
• Robbery (theft by force or threat): 93/100 - a major concern, 41 points higher than the US average.
• Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): 85/100 - a major concern, 28 points higher than the US average.

Washington Hill’s violent crime ranking in Baltimore

In terms of violent crime rates, among the 264 neighborhoods in Baltimore, Washington Hill ranks slightly more dangerous than average.

Here's how Washington Hill ranks within Baltimore for each type of violent crime:

• Murder: Ranks 239th, among the most dangerous.

• Rape: Ranks 179th, slightly more dangerous than average.

• Robbery: Ranks 177th, slightly more dangerous than average.

• Aggravated Assault: Ranks 218th, more dangerous than most.

Is Washington Hill getting safer from violent crime (2023 vs. 2022)?

• The murder crime rate increased by 2 points, now slightly more dangerous.
• The rape crime rate increased by 4 points, now moderately more dangerous.
• The robbery crime rate remained unchanged, now largely unchanged.
• The aggravated assault crime rate decreased by 4 points, now moderately safer.

How has violent crime in Washington Hill changed over the years?

Violent crime rates

Comparing Washington Hill now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, violent crime is lower by 5 points.

Rape crime rates

Property Crime in Washington Hill

While violent crimes often grab headlines, it's property crimes that might affect residents and visitors more frequently. Whether you live in Washington Hill or are just passing through, understanding the property crime situation can help you protect your belongings—from home burglaries to pickpocketing and bag snatching. Let's look closely at property crime in Washington Hill and how it impacts locals and travelers.

Washington Hill has a property crime rate of 82 out of 100. This categorizes the area as high crime.

For context, Baltimore's property crime rate in 2023 is 82/100, while the US average property crime rate for that year is 47/100.

Breakdown of property crime rates (burglary, larceny, auto theft, and arson)

Here are the latest crime rates for specific property offenses:

• Burglary (home break-ins): 79/100-a significant issue, 37 points higher than the US average.
• Larceny (theft, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching): 84/100-a significant issue, 41 points higher than the US average.
• Auto Theft (car stealing): 93/100-a major concern, 32 points higher than the US average.
• Arson (intentional fire-setting): 72/100-a significant issue, 17 points higher than the US average.

Washington Hill’s property crime ranking in Baltimore

Washington Hill ranks as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods out of 264 areas in Baltimore.Here's how Washington Hill ranks within Baltimore for each type of property crime:

• Burglary: Ranks 248th, among the most dangerous.
• Larceny: Ranks 216th, more dangerous than most.
• Auto Theft: Ranks 48th, safer than most.
• Arson: Ranks 39th, safer than most.

Is Washington Hill getting safer from property crime (2023 vs. 2022)?

From 2022 to 2023, Washington Hill has become moderately more dangerous from property crime.Let's examine the year-over-year changes for each type of property crime:

• Burglary: Increased by 4 points, now moderately more dangerous.
• Larceny: Increased by 10 points, now notably more dangerous.
• Auto Theft: Increased by 14 points, now notably more dangerous.
• Arson: remained unchanged, now largely unchanged.

How has property crime in Washington Hill changed over the years?

Property crime rates

Comparing Washington Hill now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, property crime is slightly lower by 1 point.

Nearest Neighborhoods by Crime Rate

Whether you're considering living in Washington Hill or planning a visit, here's how nearby neighborhoods compare in terms of crime rates and safety.

Among nearby areas, Perkins Homes has the lowest overall crime rate, making it an alternative to consider if you're concerned about Washington Hill’s safety.

Explore the crime and safety ranking of all neighborhoods in Baltimore.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

To answer the question, is Washington Hill, Baltimore, safe or dangerous? Now that we've reviewed Washington Hill’s crime and safety details, let's sum up the main points so you can decide if it's a place you'd want to live in or visit, what to be careful of, and how to stay safe if you go there:

Crime statistics

• Washington Hill’s overall crime rate: 81/100
• Safety ranking: 246 out of 264 neighborhoods in Baltimore.
• Violent crime rate: 80/100 (4 points higher than Baltimore's average, 28 points higher than the national average.)
• Property crime rate: 82/100 (16 points higher than Baltimore's average, 35 points higher than the national average.)

Based on these crime statistics, Washington Hill is quite dangerous. You need to be highly alert at all times.

Crime trends

Comparing 2023 to 2022:

• Overall: More dangerous by 3 points.
• Violent crime: Now slightly more dangerous than in 2022.
• Property crime: Now moderately more dangerous than in 2022.

Top crimes in Washington Hill:

• Robbery: 93/100.
• Auto Theft: 93/100.
• Murder/Homicide: 89/100.

If you live in or visit Washington Hill, stay vigilant and take these precautions:

• Washington Hill has a high robbery rate. Keep valuables out of sight and use a money belt hidden under your clothes. Be especially careful near ATMs. If confronted by a robber, stay calm and comply with their demands—no possession is worth risking your life. If you can run fast and it's safe to do so, running might be an option. Otherwise, don't make sudden movements that could escalate the situation.

• Washington Hill has lots of car thefts. Always lock your car, even for quick stops. Never leave it running alone. Use a steering wheel or pedal lock; these can scare off thieves. If you can, put a GPS tracker in your car. Avoid parking on the street here, especially on quiet, dark streets. If you must, choose spots under streetlights or near security cameras.

• Washington Hill has high rates of violent crime. Avoid being out alone, especially after dark. Stick to well-lit main streets and stay alert to your surroundings. If you spot potential trouble from afar (drunk people, strange behavior, or groups), cross the street or calmly turn back. Don't engage with strangers in isolated areas. If attacked, shout loudly to draw attention and try to escape to a populated area if possible. Stay sober when in this area, as being intoxicated makes you an easier target. If you feel unsafe, duck into a store and stay there until it's safe to leave.

Nearby neighborhoods

Areas with the lowest crime rates near Washington Hill:

• Lowest violent crime rates: Little Italy, Pleasant View Gardens, Perkins Homes.
• Lowest property crime rates: Old Town, Perkins Homes, Fells Point.