25+ Burglary Statistics to Keep You Aware in 2023

Your home is your castle…

If burglary is one of your greatest fears, you’re not alone!

Check out our home invasion statistics.

They are an eye-opener!

(Go and check the locks on your front door first, though!)

According to the latest burglary statistics, this crime occurs every day, and some properties are more at risk of being targeted than others.

To dodge disaster, you need the right protection in place. Unfortunately, even if you put all the right plans and procedures in place, your home still might not be safe.

Theft and break-ins are astoundingly common and may seem completely random.

Let’s have a quick look first:

Top Burglary Statistics (Editor’s Choice)

• Three out of four homes in the US will be burgled over the next 20 years
• 34% of burglars enter the property using the front door
• Police clear only 13% of burglary reports
• Over one-fourth of homeowners who interrupt a burglar become the victim of a violent crime
• Home burglaries dropped by 7.7% in 2020
• Car thefts increased by 10.5% in 2020
• New Mexico has the highest burglary rate in the US

Home Invasion Statistics

The good news is that it’s not all doom and gloom!

As we dive into the latest home invasion statistics, you’ll discover some positive trends that suggest the risk is diminishing. There are also many steps you can take to lessen your chances of getting burgled, which we will discuss as well.

How Many Home Invasions per Year Are There?

1. Over 1 million burglaries occur every year in the US.

(Source: FBI)

According to the most recent FBI burglary statistics, 1.1 million such crimes took place in 2019, down 9.5% since the previous year. Roughly speaking, this translates to one burglary every 26 seconds.

It’s a terrifying statistic to start with, and, unfortunately, most of these occurrences are home break-ins.

How Do Most Burglars Break Into Your Home?

Let’s take a look now at how most burglars gain access to our property. Know the danger areas, and you can secure your home the right way.

2. 34% of burglars enter the property using the front door.

(Source: REOlink)

Approximately one-third of burglars are going to walk straight through the main threshold. Why is that so surprising? We often imagine it would take a lot of effort to break into a home and that burglars need to be discreet. However, the worrying burglary statistics 2018 data suggests that neither is true.

3. 4% of burglars are going to enter through an entrance left unlocked.

(Source: REOlink)

On the one hand, this is good news in terms of break-in statistics. It suggests that most people are taking their security seriously. On the other hand, that’s nearly 5% of burglary victims who think it’s safe to leave their doors unlocked. It obviously isn’t!

4. 9% of burglars will enter a property through the garage.

(Source: REOlink)

Nearly 10% are entering through the door that takes up the greatest surface area of your home. What’s wrong here? Are garage doors typically unsecure? Make sure to repair your garage door regularly. If it falls into a state of disrepair, it’s like an open window for a burglar.

5. 22% of burglars break in through a window on the first floor.

(Source: REOlink)

If you assume burglars won’t climb, you better think again. This stat shows that you need to make sure those top windows are locked tight, particularly at night. This is yet another reason why your garage needs to be locked up. If they can find a ladder, you’re making this easier for them.

Preventative Measures That Work

Thanks to these house burglary statistics, now you know how burglars can enter your home. Let’s discuss now what you could do to prevent them and the steps you should definitely avoid.

6. Over one-fourth of people who interrupt a burglar become a victim of a violent crime.

(Source: Bureau of Justice)

So what’s the lesson here? If you’re at home during a house break-in, don’t attempt to stop the burglar. Hide, keep quiet, and stay out of sight. If you can ring the police, you give yourself the best chance of avoiding a far worse situation.

7. Only 27% of burglaries occur when someone is present at home.

(Source: Bureau of Justice)

Luckily, this means that you’re not likely to be at home when a burglary takes place. Nevertheless, don’t forget that there are now various security systems available that will allow you to check your property remotely. Use one of these, and you might catch a burglar in the act during a home break-in.

8. Burglaries between 6 pm and 10 pm only account for 17%.

(Source: Bureau of Justice)

So what time do most break-ins occur? If you think they occur late at night, you need to think again. The vast majority of burglaries occur throughout the day while you’re at work. Of course, it’s not impossible for a burglary to occur in the middle of the night, but the chances of someone breaking into your house at night are lower than you might think.

9. Homes with less than a $7,500 annual income are more likely to be burgled.

(Source: Bureau of Justice)

The less you earn, the more likely it is that your home will be burgled. Unfortunately, this is probably due to the state of the property and the level of security the homeowner can afford.

It does not mean that earning a higher salary will keep you safe.

10. Your home is 300% more likely to be burgled without a home security system.

(Source: New York Times)

If you want the best defense against burglars, you need to get a home security system. Luckily, there are various options on the market today. According to home security statistics, these systems are the best deterrent, as an installation like this can clearly be seen on the exterior of your property.

Burglars are less likely to break in when they see this type of setup, which helps reduce the overall home break-in statistics.

11. Only 17% of homes have a home security system.

(Source: New York Times)

We’re going to take a wild guess and say that most people aren’t aware of the benefits of security systems. Another reason might be the cost because those systems aren’t cheap. Also, some are looking for other options, like leaving the lights on. Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars? This is considered the cheapest way to make a burglar think twice, and it can be quite effective.

12. Burglaries rise by 10% during June-August.

(Source: Statista)

When do most home invasions occur? According to a report by Statista, you are more likely to experience a house burglary during the summer months. That’s going to put a dampener on any holiday. It’s always a good idea to get a neighbor to watch over your home while you’re on vacation.

The Changes in Burglar Behavior Through the US

Are you ready for more home robbery statistics? These are more positive than what we discussed so far.

13. There was an annual 7.7% decrease in burglaries in 2020.

(Source: Statista)

Thankfully, the overall number of home invasions per year in the United States has decreased around 50% since 1990. This could be due to changes in how the law regards burglaries. It may also be due to the increased commitment to security systems.

In 2020, the burglary rate in the United States was 314.2 cases per 100,000 of the population. This is a decrease from the previous year when the burglary rate stood at 340.5 cases per capita.

14. Large cities have experienced a greater decrease in burglaries.

(Source: Bureau of Justice)

We often assume that living in a big city is going to be more dangerous. It’s true, cities usually have a high crime rate. However, burglaries seem to be the exception. Burglars may see rural areas as an easier target because there are less people around. Alternatively, people in these areas could also be more trusting of their neighbors.

15. Shockingly, 85% of burglars will know their victims.

(Source: Bureau of Justice)

Do you think that burglars are unknown criminals who you have never met before? Surprisingly, this doesn’t seem to be the case. According to home break-ins statistics, it’s far more likely that the person knows you.

That’s why you need to be careful with what you post on social media. Don’t post about leaving town or going away for the weekend. Your potential burglar could be watching you.

16. There were 648.8 burglaries per capita in New Mexico alone.

(Source: Statista) 

According to home invasion statistics by state, New Mexico is the worst place to live because of burglaries. Oklahoma isn’t far behind, with more than 613.2 incidents per capita, according to home burglary statistics for 2020.

Are you wondering what is the safest place to live? It is New Hampshire with just 103.3 burglaries per capita. So if you’re thinking about relocating, this country is definitely an option.

How Long Does The Average Burglary Take?

Imagine that you’re at home and hear someone trying to break in. You might think that you have at least half an hour to call the police or find a place to hide. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

17. The average burglar takes a minute to enter your home.

(Source: API Alarm)

Burglars don’t need as much time for house break-ins as you’d probably assume. They can breach in before you even have time to pick up the phone.

18. Burglars only spend ten minutes on average inside your home.

(Source: API Alarm)

Burglars don’t mess around. They’ll be in and out before the typical TV ad break ends. Interviewed burglars claim that they immediately hit the main bedroom. They know this is where a lot of valuables are going to be.

The good news is that this doesn’t leave a lot of time for a violent interaction. Remember, burglaries are usually not violent.

What Happens During A Burglary?

While we’re exploring burglary facts it’s important to consider what occurs during a break-in. How much will you lose, will the criminal be caught, and are they as dangerous as they seem?

19. $2,799 is the average cost of a typical burglary.

(Source: Apartment Guide)

Despite spending next to no time in your home, a burglar can take quite a lot from you. After all, $3,000 may not be a fortune, but it could hit you hard as an unexpected cost. That’s why you need to make sure you have insurance in place. The right insurance coverage will provide the financial protection you need for home burglaries.

Of course, the financial cost is nothing compared to no longer feeling safe in your own property.

20. The rate of burglary arrests in the US is 13%.

(Source: JSU)

Are you hoping that police will catch your burglar? This is quite rare, and there are a few reasons for this. For one, burglars don’t always have a criminal record. That means there’s no prints to check. Worst still, the majority of burglars only live two miles from their victims. So while the chances of home invasion are high, the odds of catching a burglar are quite low.

21. One of three house burglaries is repeated a crime.

(Source: REOlink)

It’s not uncommon for a burglar to complete a house break-in on the same property two of three times. A common trick here is to steal a set of keys from the property on the first attempt. That’s why it’s important to check for missing keys and potentially change the locks. If you’ve been burgled once, you always need to take the time to increase your security.

22. 51% of homes suffer another burglary within one month of the first break-in.

(Source: REOlink)

Burglars are confident they won’t get caught, according to home burglary statistics for 2017. Based on surveys, more than half will come back within just a month. That said, you shouldn’t wait around to increase your security. Make sure you’re taking steps immediately. CCTV is definitely an option. You just need to know the state rules regarding this preventative measure.

23. Over 40% of burglars admit their break-in was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

(Source: Science Daily)

Home invasion statistics for 2017 revealed this startling new information. A large percentage of burglars don’t plan out a break-in. They admit that the area and the houses broken into are noted to have weak security systems or seem abandoned. For example, a pile of mail on the porch is a clear sign you’ve been gone for quite some time. That’s why it’s always great idea to have a helpful neighbor.

24. 61% of burglars do not have a firearm.

(Source: Science Daily)

According to home burglary statistics, the majority of burglars will break into your home without a gun or any similar weapon. It’s important to note that they can still be dangerous, so you shouldn’t confront them if possible.

Top Car Break-In Statistics

As you probably already know, your home isn’t the only property at risk from break-ins. You need to consider the danger of your car being stolen too. Could a burglar pick up a set of keys in your home and drive off with your favorite four wheels?

25. There was a 10.5% rise in car thefts in 2020.

(Source: Statista)

From 1990 until 2014, the number of car thefts declined with just a few peaks in the 00s. However, something has changed, and now it’s on the rise.

According to statistics, 810,400 cars were stolen in 2020, which is 10.5% more than the 724,872 recorded in 2019. So you definitely need to make sure you’re protecting your vehicle. Keep it locked in a garage at night and make sure the alarm works.

Key Takeaways

Considering the above-discussed burglary statistics, what are the chances of your house being robbed? The latest home invasion findings suggest that the chances are high. That said, there are definitely some steps you can take to prevent yourself from falling victim to a burglary.

According to the most reliable burglary statistics, a proper home security system is the greatest deterrent. Since a lot of burglaries are spur-of-the-moment decisions, such a system is all you need to avoid disaster.

You also need to keep in mind the times when your home is most vulnerable. Based on the home invasion stats we’ve discussed, this is summer and mid-day. Burglars hate the cold, so despite the teachings of Home Alone, the festive season shouldn’t be your biggest concern.

Remember that burglaries can cost quite a lot of money and have an emotional impact. So make sure you’re putting the right measures in place today!