Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a city known for its thriving arts scene, growing economy, and strong sense of community. However, like many cities across the U.S., it faces its share of crime-related challenges.
Crime data offers a critical lens through which we can view the types of challenges the city faces. These statistics provide a roadmap for understanding the risks, areas for improvement, and steps residents can take to safeguard themselves.
Let us talk about Fort Wayne crime rate in 2024 and see what is known.
General Fort Wayne Crime Rate Overview
| Statistic | Reported Incidents | Fort Wayne / 100k people |
|---|---|---|
| Total crime | 7,095 | 2,649 |
| Murder | 20 | 7.5 |
| Rape | 120 | 44.8 |
| Robbery | 189 | 70.6 |
| Assault | 373 | 139.3 |
| Violent crime | 702 | 262 |
| Burglary | 592 | 221.1 |
| Theft | 5,196 | 1,940.3 |
| Vehicle theft | 605 | 225.9 |
| Property crime | 6,393 | 2,387 |
The score takes into account both violent and property crimes and suggests that the city experiences more crime than some neighboring areas, but it’s not an outlier in terms of safety concerns.
When compared to both state and national averages, Fort Wayne is slightly above average in some crime categories but below in others.
Indiana’s statewide crime statistics show that the state falls somewhere in the middle of the pack. The same can be said about Fort Wayne within the state limits, neither being one of the safest nor the most dangerous places to live.
Violent Crime
Violent crime in Fort Wayne comprises a range of offenses, including:
- Murder – 20 cases (0.07 per 1,000)
- Rape – 121 cases (0.45 per 1,000)
- Robbery – 189 cases (0.71 per 1,000)
- Aggravated assault – 376 cases (1.40 per 1,000)
- Murder and homicide rates, for instance, are 0.07, which is slightly above the national average of 0.06.
- Rape incidents score 0.45, just slightly above the national average, indicating that sexual violence is a concern.
- Robberies and aggravated assaults, which have scores of 0.71 and 1.40, respectively.
- Basically, locals have a 1 in 380 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
Just recently, the shooting at Fort Wayne Southside has resulted in one victim.
All these figures are slightly higher than the national average. However, the likelihood of encountering violent crime in Fort Wayne is lower than in many other urban centers.
Property Crime
Property crime is a much bigger challenge than its violent counterpart. The same report by NeighborhoodScout we mentioned earlier points out the following:
- Fort Wayne property crime rate is at 23.91, higher than Indiana’s average, which lies at 15.44. At the same time, it is 22% higher than the national average.
- The crimes are divided like this:
- Burglary – 592 (2.21 per 1,000)
- Theft – 5,206 (19.43 per 1,000)
- Motor Vehicle Theft – 608 (2.27 per 1,000)
- The crimes are divided like this:
- The locals have a 1 in 42 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime.
It is interesting to know that only theft is higher than the national average, while burglary and motor vehicle theft are significantly lower.
Another interesting thing is that the property crime rate in Fort Wayne is so big despite the city having 271,865 population.
Interesting Fact: The number of homicides in the Allen Country in 2024, which includes Fort Wayne, has almost reached the numbers of 2023, with four months left until the end of the year.
The Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Fort Wayne
| Neighborhood | Population | Violent Crimes Per 100k | Property Crimes Per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Park Forest | 87 | 585 | 3,181 |
| Poplar | 413 | 661 | 3,595 |
| East Side | 1004 | 661 | 3,595 |
| Ferndale | 272 | 575 | 3,131 |
| Oakland Park | 93 | 553 | 3,008 |
| Michigan Avenue | 656 | 643 | 3,502 |
| Memorial Park | 838 | 638 | 3,471 |
| Harvester | 341 | 634 | 3,452 |
| Greater McMillen Park | 860 | 642 | 3,496 |
| Pontiac Place | 971 | 639 | 3,477 |
Fort Wayne, Indiana, is generally a great place to live, but like any city, some neighborhoods experience higher crime rates and lower living conditions than others.
Some of the neighborhoods are significantly contributing to the overall Fort Wayne crime rate.
- Highland Park Forest has a population of 87 and experiences a high rate of both violent and property crimes. With violent crimes at 585 per 100,000 residents and property crimes at 3,181 per 100,000, the area is considered risky, and the median home value stands at $54,400.
- Next on the list is Poplar, with a population of 413. It sees slightly higher violent crime rates, with 661 incidents per 100,000 residents, and property crimes reported at 3,595 per 100,000. The median home value in Poplar is $58,150, and the median income is among the lowest in the city at $25,204.
- Another neighborhood, East Side, with a population of 1,004, experiences similar crime rates, with violent crimes at 661 per 100,000 and property crimes at 3,595 per 100,000. The median home value in this area is lower, at $35,800, and the median income is the lowest in the city, at $15,640, making it a challenging place to live.
The Current State of Fort Wayne Police Force
The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) is currently experiencing a period of stability and success in recruitment, setting it apart from many police departments across the nation facing staffing shortages. Of course, this directly reflects positively on Fort Wayne crime rate, which remains stable.
The department focuses its recruitment efforts on building personal relationships with candidates, which has been key in sustaining interest and turning potential applicants into officers.
FWPD has adopted a pipeline approach to ensure long-term staffing stability. Through programs like the Future Officer Readiness Training (FORT), the department is not only preparing candidates physically and mentally for the role but also maintaining continuous communication with potential recruits, even those not yet eligible to join.
However, ongoing discussions about police raises are also taking place at the city level, reflecting concerns about retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive job market.DEVELOPING: Fort Wayne/Allen County Dispatch confirms there is a police presence on the city’s northwest side.
>>> https://t.co/50qNYS5tFg pic.twitter.com/OXktJMSTsP
— 21Alive News (@ABC21WPTA) October 11, 2024
Methodology
In this analysis of Fort Wayne crime rate in 2024, we collected data by thoroughly reviewing multiple credible sources that provide crime statistics and insights. We gathered primary data from databases like AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout, which offer detailed reports on crime trends at both national and local levels.
These platforms compile information from law enforcement agencies, government crime reports, and census data, ensuring accuracy and current figures.
Our analysis incorporates information from local news reports, such as the Fort Wayne Southside shooting incident, to contextualize crime rates and provide recent examples of violent crime.
The Bottom Line
Fort Wayne crime rate reflects a moderately safe city with certain areas of concern. Both violent and property crimes are present, though the city’s crime scores are not alarmingly high.
Residents and visitors should remain vigilant, especially regarding theft and arson, but overall Fort Wayne crime trends have been stable, with some positive improvements.
Sources
- AreaVibes – Fort Wayne, IN Crime Rates
- NeighborhoodScout – Fort Wayne, IN
- Fox59 – Indiana places middle of the pack for violent crime
- Police1 – Why personnel shortages aren’t a problem for Fort Wayne police
- Wane – Fort Wayne City Council delays police raises amid hiring need, will revisit issue
- WFFT – Man dead after shooting on Fort Wayne’s south side
- Road Snacks – The 10 Most Dangerous And Worst Neighborhoods In Fort Wayne, IN
- JoinfWPD – FORT program
- FwPD – Fort Wayne Police Department
