Jonesboro, Ark.; Peoria, Ariz., and Seattle rank as the three most vulnerable U.S. cities for burglaries in a ranking by Fence Gnome, part of the Home Gnome group of websites that help homeowners find help in their areas with various repairs, services and other needs.

Memphis, Tenn., and Las Vegas round out the top five most vulnerable cities for burglaries, followed by Houston; Springfield, Mo.; Detroit; Lake Charles, La.; and Dayton, Ohio.

Fence Gnome compared almost 500 of the biggest U.S. cities based on target attractiveness — average home value and share of single-unit detached homes — and burglary prevalence to come up with its 2023 rankings.

While Jonesboro and Peoria rank as the most vulnerable cities for burglaries, Alexandria, Va.; Allentown, Pa.; and Reading, Pa., are considered the least vulnerable cities for burglaries based on Fence Gnome’s research. They are followed by Lawrence, Mass.; Hartford, Conn.; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Jersey City, N.J.; Bethlehem, Pa.; and Miami Beach, Fla., as least vulnerable.

Key Insights from Fence Gnome Research

• Home burglaries are prevalent in both big cities like Seattle and Las Vegas and smaller ones, such as Jonesboro, Ark. (No. 1), and Lake Charles, La. (No. 9). Jonesboro dealt with the most burglaries per 10,000 households, while Seattle had both high total burglaries and burglaries per 10,000 households.
• Luxurious neighborhoods don’t necessarily entice more robbers. Only three of Fence Gnome’s 50 most vulnerable cities ranked among the 100 most attractive targets: Peoria, Ariz. (No. 2), Newport Beach, Calif. (No. 44), and Sandy, Utah (No. 50).
• Newport Beach has the highest home value of more than $3 million — $1.2 million higher than in Sunnyvale, Calif. (No. 220), with the second-highest average home value. The most expensive homes tend to deter burglars due to enhanced security systems.

Populous cities in the north and Mid-Atlantic — including Chicago (No. 409), Philadelphia (No. 479), and Washington (No. 480) — finished at the bottom, near Alexandria, Va., in last place. These cities “have historically fewer residential burglaries per household and a smaller share of detached single-family homes, which are prime targets for burglars,” the Fence Gnome report says.

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This article originally appeared in CS sister publication Security Sales & Integration. Craig MacCormack is SSI’s web editor.

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