Crime Types
Property Crime
Definition: Offenses involving the taking or destruction of property without force or threat of force, including burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
In Detail
Property crime is the second of the FBI's two broad UCR categories and encompasses offenses where the primary goal is obtaining money, property, or some other benefit — without the use or threat of force against a victim. The four offenses classified as property crimes are burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Property crime is by far the more common category: the national property crime rate in 2023 was approximately 1,832 per 100,000 residents, roughly five times the violent crime rate. Larceny-theft alone accounts for the majority of all property crime. Cities with high property crime rates do not necessarily have high violent crime rates, and vice versa, which is why CrimeContext tracks both categories separately. The property crime rate carries a 25% weight in the Safety Context Score calculation. When evaluating a city's safety, it is important to consider property crime alongside violent crime, because high burglary or theft rates affect quality of life and economic stability even when physical danger to residents is relatively low. Trends in property crime have generally declined nationally since the early 1990s, though motor vehicle theft has seen notable increases in recent years.
Related Terms
Offenses that involve force or the threat of force against a person, including murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and rape.
The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft, regardless of whether force was used to gain entry.
The unlawful taking of property from another person without the use of force, violence, or fraud — the most common crime in America.
The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and snowmobiles.
The willful or malicious burning or attempted burning of property, including structures, vehicles, and personal property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Property Crime" mean in crime statistics?
Offenses involving the taking or destruction of property without force or threat of force, including burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Why is property crime important for understanding crime data?
Property crime is the second of the FBI's two broad UCR categories and encompasses offenses where the primary goal is obtaining money, property, or some other benefit — without the use or threat of force against a victim. The four offenses classified as property crimes are burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Property crime is by far the more common category: the national property crime rate in 2023 was approximately 1,832 per 100,000 residents, roughly five times the violent crime rate.