Is East Harlem, Manhattan Safe in 2026?
Based on 12,491 NYPD-reported crime incidents, 18 shooting incidents, and 25,710 311 quality-of-life complaints recorded over the past 12 months, East Harlem is above the Manhattan average for crime and trending safer (6.7% fewer incidents year-over-year).
East Harlem is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 31% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 12,491 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
Data covers December 2024 – December 2025 (12 months) · Source: NYPD CompStat & NYC 311 via NYC Open Data · Updated April 18, 2026
Safety Dashboard
Total Crime Incidents
12,491
Past 12 months
Shooting Incidents
18
Past 12 months
Violent Crimes
1,952
4,037 felonies total
Year-over-Year Trend
↓ 6.7%
6.7% fewer incidents
Crime Breakdown
Most Common Crime Types
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| harrassment 2 | 2,225 | 17.8% |
| petit larceny | 1,586 | 12.7% |
| assault 3 & related offenses | 1,498 | 12.0% |
| criminal mischief & related of | 802 | 6.4% |
| grand larceny | 770 | 6.2% |
| felony assault | 755 | 6.0% |
| dangerous drugs | 721 | 5.8% |
| vehicle and traffic laws | 520 | 4.2% |
Severity Distribution
Where Crimes Occur
Quality of Life Indicators
311 complaints reveal patterns about daily quality of life that crime statistics alone do not capture. These are resident-reported issues from the past 12 months.
Noise Complaints
16,865
240.9 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Rodent Reports
1,765
25.2 per 1,000 residents
High
Sanitation Issues
1,167
16.7 per 1,000 residents
High
Heat/Hot Water
5,913
84.5 per 1,000 residents
Very High
Arrest Activity
Arrest data reflects law enforcement activity in the area. High arrest counts relative to crime can indicate active policing; low counts may reflect under-enforcement or lower crime.
Total Arrests
6,136
Past 12 months
Felony Arrests
2,429
40% of total
Misdemeanor Arrests
3,642
59% of total
How Safe Is East Harlem Compared to Other Manhattan Neighborhoods?
Manhattan Neighborhood Safety Comparison
| Neighborhood | Crime Incidents | Shootings | Verdict | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuyvesant Town | 523 | 0 | Exceptionally Safe | 94% |
| Morningside Heights | 1,583 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 82% |
| Gramercy Park | 1,802 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 80% |
| Yorkville | 1,898 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 79% |
| Roosevelt Island | 1,960 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 78% |
| Midtown East | 2,295 | 0 | Much Safer Than Average | 75% |
| Chinatown | 2,476 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 72% |
| Murray Hill | 2,888 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 68% |
| West Village | 3,307 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 63% |
| Upper West Side | 6,753 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 62% |
| Greenwich Village | 3,385 | 2 | Safer Than Average | 62% |
| Lincoln Square | 3,445 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 62% |
| Hamilton Heights | 3,541 | 3 | Safer Than Average | 61% |
| Upper East Side | 3,592 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 60% |
| Tribeca | 3,605 | 1 | Safer Than Average | 60% |
| Financial District | 3,732 | 0 | Safer Than Average | 59% |
| East Village | 4,175 | 1 | Average | 54% |
| Lower East Side | 4,401 | 4 | Average | 51% |
| SoHo | 4,564 | 0 | Average | 49% |
| Inwood | 2,649 | 5 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| Washington Heights | 9,031 | 6 | Higher Than Average | 44% |
| East Harlem (this page) | 12,491 | 18 | Higher Than Average | 31% |
| Harlem | 12,684 | 24 | Higher Than Average | 30% |
| Chelsea | 6,840 | 2 | Much Higher Than Average | 24% |
| Flatiron | 7,058 | 1 | Much Higher Than Average | 22% |
| Hell's Kitchen | 7,184 | 4 | Much Higher Than Average | 20% |
| Midtown | 12,545 | 4 | High Activity Area | 0% |
Understanding This Data
All crime statistics on this page are sourced directly from the NYPD CompStat database via NYC Open Data. Incidents are mapped to neighborhood boundaries using the NYC Department of City Planning Neighborhood Tabulation Areas (NTAs) — the same geographic units used in official census reporting. Each safety score reflects the cumulative activity within the NTA boundaries assigned to East Harlem.
NTA boundaries are drawn to maintain population comparability across census tracts, which means they may not perfectly align with what residents consider their "neighborhood." In some cases, a single NTA spans areas with different character. The percentile ranking compares East Harlem only against other NTAs within Manhattan, so scores are borough-relative rather than city-wide.
Safety conditions vary significantly block by block. Neighborhood-level statistics provide important context but should not substitute for address-level research. Use DwellCheck to analyze a specific address and understand the precise safety environment within walking distance of where you plan to live.
Frequently Asked Questions about East Harlem Safety
Is East Harlem safe?
East Harlem is rated "Higher Than Average" — Above-average incident activity. Over the past 12 months, 12,491 crime incidents were recorded, including 18 shooting incidents. East Harlem is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 31% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 12,491 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months.
What are the most common crimes in East Harlem?
The most common crimes in East Harlem are: 1. HARRASSMENT 2 (2,225 incidents, 17.8% of total); 2. PETIT LARCENY (1,586 incidents, 12.7% of total); 3. ASSAULT 3 & RELATED OFFENSES (1,498 incidents, 12% of total).
Is East Harlem safer than the Manhattan average?
East Harlem is safer than 31% of Manhattan neighborhoods. It had 39% more incidents than the borough average (12,491 vs. a borough average of 9,000).
How has crime changed in East Harlem?
Crime in East Harlem has improved by 6.7% year-over-year, dropping from 13,381 to 12,491 incidents. The trend is classified as "improving."
What do 311 complaints say about East Harlem?
311 data shows 16,865 Very High complaints, 1,765 High complaints, and 1,167 High complaints. These quality-of-life indicators provide context beyond crime statistics.
Is East Harlem safe at night?
Night safety in East Harlem varies by block. About 27.5% of crimes occur on streets and sidewalks. East Harlem recorded 18 shooting incidents in the past 12 months. Use DwellCheck to research specific addresses and understand block-by-block conditions.
Is East Harlem safe for families?
For families considering East Harlem: the neighborhood recorded 16,865 noise complaints (very high for Manhattan) and 1,765 rodent reports. It ranks in the 31th percentile for safety in Manhattan. Family-friendliness also depends on schools, parks, and building quality — use DwellCheck to evaluate a specific address.
What is the safest neighborhood in Manhattan?
Safety varies across Manhattan neighborhoods. East Harlem ranks at the 31th percentile with 12,491 incidents. Compare all Manhattan neighborhoods in the comparison table above to see how each ranks by total crime, shootings, and borough percentile. All data is sourced from NYPD CompStat.
Can you walk around East Harlem at night?
East Harlem is classified as "Higher Than Average" by NYPD CompStat data. Over the past 12 months it recorded 18 shooting incidents and 12,491 total crime incidents — 39% more incidents than the borough average. Walking at night carries the same risk profile as anywhere in NYC: stay on commercial corridors with foot traffic, avoid empty side streets after midnight, and prefer subway lines that run 24/7.
Is East Harlem dangerous?
By NYPD data, East Harlem is rated "Higher Than Average" — safer than 31% of Manhattan neighborhoods. 12,491 crime incidents over 12 months, improved by 6.7% year-over-year, dropping from 13,381 to 12,491 incidents. Block-level risk varies; check our address-level safety score for any specific street or building to weight NYPD incidents within a 250-meter radius.
What parts of East Harlem should I avoid?
NYPD CompStat reports incidents at the precinct level, not block-by-block, so a granular "avoid this street" answer isn't possible from public data alone. The most reliable signal at the block level is DwellCheck's address-level safety score, which weights NYPD incidents within a 250m radius of a specific building. As a general rule across all NYC neighborhoods: industrial blocks with no foot traffic are higher-risk than residential blocks; subway-station-adjacent commercial corridors are lowest-risk.
Is East Harlem a good place to live?
East Harlem scores in the 31th percentile for safety in Manhattan. East Harlem is considered higher than average, ranking safer than 31% of the borough. Incidents are trending down with 12,491 total incidents recorded over the past 12 months. Whether it's a good fit depends on what you weight: families, solo renters, and remote workers prioritize different factors (noise, transit access, parks, building quality). Use DwellCheck's full livability page for East Harlem to see all six dimensions side-by-side.
Check a Specific Address in East Harlem
Neighborhood statistics tell part of the story. Get address-level crime data, building health scores, and transit access for any specific location in East Harlem.
Search an Address in East Harlem