Is Wilson Heights, Baltimore, Safe to Live or Visit in 2024?

Wilson Heights Crime Rates and Safety Rankings

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

This article analyzes Wilson Heights' 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 Wilson Heights 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 Wilson Heights.

Crime and safety snapshot

How dangerous is Wilson Heights? The area has some significant safety challenges. The crime rate is high at 76/100, with violent crime at 75/100 and property crime at 78/100. These numbers indicate that crime is a frequent issue in this area. If you're living in or visiting Wilson Heights, it's crucial to be vigilant and take extra precautions to ensure your safety.

Wilson Heights safety ranking in Baltimore

Wilson Heights ranks safer than most Baltimore neighborhoods regarding violent crime. In terms of property crime, it ranks as one of the safest in the city.

Is Wilson Heights Getting Safer or More Dangerous?

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

Has Wilson Heights become safer (2023 vs. 2022)?

Crime statistics indicate that Wilson Heights' safety level has remained largely unchanged between 2022 and 2023. The neighborhood hasn't seen any significant shifts in crime rates during this period.

How has crime in Wilson Heights 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), Wilson Heights is about as safe. Violent crime decreased by 5 points. Property crime increased by 1 point.

Crimes to be Careful of in Wilson Heights

Whether you live in or visit Wilson Heights, 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 Wilson Heights.

How common are violent crimes in Wilson Heights?

In Wilson Heights, 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): Average
• Robbery (theft by force or threat): Significantly elevated
• Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): Significantly elevated

While in Wilson Heights, 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.

• 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 Wilson Heights?

• 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 Wilson Heights, 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 Wilson Heights

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): 87/100 - a major concern, 27 points higher than the US average.
• Rape (sexual assault): 40/100 - less frequent than average, 15 points lower than the US average.
• Robbery (theft by force or threat): 92/100 - a major concern, 40 points higher than the US average.
• Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): 83/100 - a significant issue, 26 points higher than the US average.

Wilson Heights' violent crime ranking in Baltimore

In terms of violent crime rates, among the 264 neighborhoods in Baltimore, Wilson Heights ranks safer than most.

Here's how Wilson Heights ranks within Baltimore for each type of violent crime:

• Murder: Ranks 147th, about average.

• Rape: Ranks 86th, slightly safer than average.

• Robbery: Ranks 40th, safer than most.

• Aggravated Assault: Ranks 18th, as one of the most secure.

Is Wilson Heights getting safer from violent crime (2023 vs. 2022)?

• The murder crime rate decreased by 6 points, now moderately safer.
• The rape crime rate decreased by 5 points, now moderately safer.
• The robbery crime rate increased by 5 points, now moderately more dangerous.
• The aggravated assault crime rate remained unchanged, now largely unchanged.

How has violent crime in Wilson Heights changed over the years?

Violent crime rates

Comparing Wilson Heights now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, violent crime is lower by 6 points.

Rape crime rates

Property Crime in Wilson Heights

While violent crimes often grab headlines, it's property crimes that might affect residents and visitors more frequently. Whether you live in Wilson Heights 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 Wilson Heights and how it impacts locals and travelers.

Wilson Heights has a property crime rate of 78 out of 100. This categorizes the area as high crime.

For context, Baltimore's property crime rate in 2023 is 78/100, 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): 70/100-more frequent than average, 28 points higher than the US average.
• Larceny (theft, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching): 82/100-a significant issue, 39 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.

Wilson Heights' property crime ranking in Baltimore

Wilson Heights ranks as one of the safest neighborhoods out of 264 areas in Baltimore.Here's how Wilson Heights ranks within Baltimore for each type of property crime:

• Burglary: Ranks 24th, as one of the most secure.
• Larceny: Ranks 71st, safer than most.
• Auto Theft: Ranks 48th, safer than most.
• Arson: Ranks 39th, safer than most.

Is Wilson Heights getting safer from property crime (2023 vs. 2022)?

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

• Burglary: Decreased by 4 points, now moderately safer.
• Larceny: Increased by 10 points, now notably more dangerous.
• Auto Theft: Increased by 19 points, now notably more dangerous.
• Arson: Increased by 2 points, now slightly more dangerous.

How has property crime in Wilson Heights changed over the years?

Property crime rates

Comparing Wilson Heights now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, property crime is unchanged.

Nearest Neighborhoods by Crime Rate

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

Among nearby areas, Moravia-Walther has the lowest overall crime rate, making it an alternative to consider if you're concerned about Wilson Heights' safety.

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

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

To answer the question, is Wilson Heights, Baltimore, safe or dangerous? Now that we've reviewed Wilson Heights' 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

• Wilson Heights' overall crime rate: 76/100
• Safety ranking: 77 out of 264 neighborhoods in Baltimore.
• Violent crime rate: 75/100 (1 points lower than Baltimore's average, 23 points higher than the national average.)
• Property crime rate: 78/100 (12 points higher than Baltimore's average, 31 points higher than the national average.)

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

Crime trends

Comparing 2023 to 2022:

• Overall crime: Remained unchanged.
• Violent crime: Now marginally safer than in 2022.
• Property crime: Now moderately more dangerous than in 2022.

Top crimes in Wilson Heights:

• Auto Theft: 93/100.
• Robbery: 92/100.
• Murder/Homicide: 87/100.

If you live in or visit Wilson Heights, stay vigilant and take these precautions:

• Wilson Heights 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.

• Wilson Heights 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.

• Wilson Heights 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 Wilson Heights:

• Lowest violent crime rates: Moravia-Walther, Waltherson, Rosemont East.
• Lowest property crime rates: Rosemont East, Cedmont, Parkside.