Brooklyn, NY was the Dutch settlement Breuckelen in the early 17th century.
It was mostly farmland when the Dutch lived in the area.
The Revolutionary War brought several changes, leading Brooklyn to become an area rich in history.
A borough of New York City, Brooklyn is home to more than 2.7 million people.
There was a population increase of more than 230,000 in the last decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Brooklyn has some neighborhoods that have a high crime rate. Crime Grade gives Brooklyn an “F” grade for crime because the crime rate is higher than in many other areas of New York and the U.S.
There are many safe Brooklyn, New York neighborhoods, where homeowners and rental property tenants enjoy all that the borough has to offer for residents.
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10 Safest Neighborhoods in Brooklyn
1. Kensington
Kensington tops the list as the safest neighborhood in Brooklyn for several reasons.
It has the lowest violent crime rate of all the safest Brooklyn neighborhoods.
The Kensington neighborhood is a smaller area, with fewer than 1,200 residents.
Perhaps the safety of the neighborhood has something to do with the historical architecture, the older Victorian homes, and the Kensington Post Office, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There are few locations in the neighborhood for people to get into trouble. It is not a party neighborhood.
2. Park Slope
The Park Slope neighborhood is one of the areas settled by the Dutch in the 17th century.
Park Slope has more than 40,000 residents.
Area Vibes gives Park Slope a B+ grade for its crime rate.
How does such a highly populated neighborhood maintain such a low crime rate?
The neighborhood received a grade of A+ for its schools, where 53 percent of students score higher on standardized tests, compared to the national average.
The number of Park Slope residents who earn a bachelor’s degree is 152 percent higher than the national average.
Park Slope also has high grades for its amenities and employment.
3. Borough Park
Borough Park has a crime rate that is 42 percent lower than the national average.
The violent crime rate is 20 percent lower than the national average.
The property crime rate is 46 percent lower than the national average.
Area parks provide recreation for families and single Borough Park residents.
The neighborhood is a quiet area, with a high livability score and a high score for amenities and schools.
Borough Park has a high number of immigrant residents.
It has one of the largest concentrations of Orthodox Jews that live outside of Israel.
4. Dyker Heights
One of the safest Brooklyn neighborhoods is Dyker Heights.
The neighborhood has an excellent livability score and still features several mom-and-pop stores.
The cost of living in Dyker Heights is 17 percent above the New York average, which may contribute to the neighborhood’s low crime rate.
Dyker Heights has an overall crime rate that is 56 percent lower than the New York average crime rate.
Area Vibes gives Dyker Heights an A+ grade for its low crime rate, which is 45 percent lower than the national average.
5. Dumbo
Dumbo may seem like a strange name for a neighborhood.
It is an acronym for Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass.
It is a popular neighborhood for people who want to live in or visit a safe Brooklyn neighborhood.
The desirable neighborhood has live music festivals, art festivals, neighborhood events, and popular restaurants.
It is also a thriving tech hub, which draws many people to Dumbo.
The high cost of living in Dumbo is likely to be a factor in the low crime rate.
Some crime rates in Dumbo, such as assault and theft, are higher than the national average.
Most crime rates, including burglary, robbery, rape, and murder are well below the national average.
Several local security companies and the neighborhood association work with local law enforcement to help keep the crime rate down in the neighborhood.
6. Crown Heights
Crown Heights is a popular neighborhood for single residents, couples, and families.
The multiethnic neighborhood has many residents who are from the Caribbean, many residents who are Hassidic Jews, and others who identify as West Indian Black residents.
The Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights has a few parks, many restaurants, and many entertainment options.
One thing that it does not have is a low cost of living.
The cost of living in the neighborhood is three percent higher than the cost of living in New York state.
The low crime rate in Crown Heights is likely to be a major factor for people who consider moving to the neighborhood.
There are only 950 crimes that occur per 100,000 people.
The overall crime rate in Crown Heights is 59 percent lower than the national average.
7. Bensonhurst
People who want to live in a safe Brooklyn neighborhood where there is an endless number of things to see and do need to look no further than Bensonhurst.
More than 50 percent of the residents were born outside the U.S. Sometimes referred to as the Little Italy of Brooklyn, Bensonhurst is also home to a large population of residents who are from China and Hong Kong.
The neighborhood has several notable landmarks. One is Lenny’s Pizza, which John Travolta made famous at the opening of Saturday Night Fever.
It recently closed after being in business for 70 years.
A local church has provided services for community residents and guests since the 1600s.
The low crime rate is a major attraction for people who want to live in a safe Brooklyn neighborhood.
The total crime rate of 1,550 per 100,000 people is 33 percent lower than the national average.
8. Cobble Hill
Picturesque Cobble Hill is a neighborhood for people who want to live an active lifestyle and have a lot of amenities.
The historic charm of the cobblestone streets, the brownstones, and the old churches appeal to singles, families, and seniors.
Residents enjoy the quaint shops and sidewalk cafés.
The low crime rate makes Cobble Hill a desirable neighborhood. Cobble Hill receives a grade of “A” from Area Vibes on crime rates.
The chance of becoming a crime victim is eight percent lower than the national average.
The total crime rate of 2,133 crimes per 100,000 people is also eight percent lower than the national average.
9. Bay Ridge
Bay Ridge, located in southwestern Brooklyn, sits along the waterfront.
Its water location, history, and affordability make it a desirable neighborhood.
The welcoming community has good schools, parks, and a low crime rate.
Although crime in Bay Ridge is slightly higher than the New York average, it is lower than the national average.
10. Sheepshead Bay
The Sheepshead Bay community was once one of the Outer Barrier Islands.
It is a peninsula today that is a neighborhood in southern Brooklyn.
The neighborhood has an excellent livability score, great amenities, and schools.
Sheepshead Bay has a crime rate that is lower than the national average and lower than the state average.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Brooklyn
- Know what makes a neighborhood a safe neighborhood. Low crime rates, the type of crimes that occur in the community, livability, and population density are some factors that make a community a safe neighborhood.
- Know the safe neighborhoods. Stay in neighborhoods that are known for being safe neighborhoods, compared to other Brooklyn neighborhoods.
- Do not travel to unsafe neighborhoods for entertainment. Venturing into unsafe neighborhoods makes you a target, especially when going to and from restaurants, cinemas, or entertainment venues.
- Do not walk in unsafe neighborhoods. Walking in unsafe neighborhoods increases your risk of becoming a crime victim, especially at night. Visitors who travel to Brooklyn are unlikely to know safe areas to walk in neighborhoods that have higher crime rates.
- Check out safe places to stay in advance of traveling to Brooklyn. You do not want to unknowingly book a hotel in an unsafe neighborhood. Check out which neighborhood your top hotel choices are in before you book your room.
Brooklyn Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Brooklyn Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are safe Brooklyn neighborhoods located?
Many residents indicate that the safest Brooklyn neighborhoods are in the southeast part of the city.
Is crime going down in Brooklyn?
Crime is going down in Brooklyn.
Crime has decreased considerably over the past decade, which is one reason that so many people have decided to move to Brooklyn.
What are some dangerous Brooklyn neighborhoods?
Brownsville is the most dangerous neighborhood in all of NYC.
East New York and Vinegar Hill are some other unsafe neighborhoods.
