Indianapolis Crime Rate: Key Trends, Safer Areas and Local Safety Tips

Indianapolis is a busy city. It has big sports energy, close neighborhoods, and people always coming and going. Like other large U.S. cities, how safe it feels depends a lot on where you live and what you’ve seen.

Rather than guessing, it helps to look at the Indianapolis crime rate. The numbers show what is really happening and how it affects day-to-day life. This blog gives a clear, down-to-earth view of the city, so residents and newcomers can move around with more confidence.

Indianapolis IndianaCrime Rate: The Facts and Figures

Indianapolis has seen shifts in crime over the years. To get a clearer picture, let’s break down the key crime statistics and what they reveal about safety in the city.

Current Crime Rate in Indianapolis

Indianapolis has more crime than many U.S. cities. Niche rates Indianapolis at C- for Crime & Safety. That grade comes from both violent and property crime being higher than the national level. A recent NeighborhoodScout summary using FBI 2023 data puts the total at about 46.56 crimes per 1,000 residents each year. That total includes around 10.50 violent crimes per 1,000 people and 36.06 property crimes per 1,000 people. Put another way, the citywide risk works out to about a 1 in 21 chance of facing either kind of crime in a year.

The same source breaks risk down further. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime is about 1 in 95. Your chance of being a victim of property crime is about 1 in 28. So most of the overall risk comes from theft, break-ins, and car crimes, not violence.

The newest FBI city counts for 2024 tell a similar story. Indianapolis reported 7,819 violent crimes and 29,714 property crimes, with a population of nearly 890,685. That equals about 8.78 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 33.36 property crimes per 1,000 residents in 2024. These rates are a bit better than the 2023 snapshot, but they are still high compared with many other cities.

Common Types of Crimes in Indianapolis

In Indianapolis, most reported crime is about property. Theft is the biggest issue. Violent crime happens less often than property crime, but when it does, assault shows up the most. The table below breaks down the main crime types and how many cases were reported. (2024 FBI city data)

How Has Indianapolis's Crime Rate Changed Over Time?

Crime in Indianapolis followed a clear wave. It went up in the early 2020s, then started to cool off more recently. The FBI trend numbers show violent crime rising a little from 210 cases per 100,000 people in 2020 to about 219.3 in 2023. So the city got slightly worse after the pandemic period.

After 2023, the direction changed. Local police reports show the main violent crimes, murder, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault, dropping through 2024. These categories have been coming down from their high point in 2021. Murders, in particular, fell a lot compared with 2021 and kept moving lower into 2025.

Even with that progress, the balance of crime looks the same as before. Property crime is still what happens most, far more than violence. Car theft is also still a standout issue and has not dropped as fast as other crimes.

Safest Areas and Crime Hotspots in Indianapolis

So, is Indianapolis a safe city? As in most large cities, Indianapolis includes both very safe residential pockets and busier districts where more incidents occur. The differences usually relate to how commercial zones blend with residential areas and how many people move through the space each day.

Neighborhoods often regarded as safer include:

• Meridian Hills / Williams Creek
• Geist
• Eagle Creek
• Allisonville
• South Franklin / South Franklin East

These areas are known for strong community engagement and stable residential patterns.

Areas that see more frequent activity include:

• Tuxedo Park
• Haughville
• Martindale–Brightwood
• Far Eastside (around 38th St corridor)
• Mapleton–Fall Creek

These places sit closer to dense corridors or mixed commercial zones, so higher foot traffic and daily activity often bring more incidents. If you live near areas like this, an outdoor setup such as the eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max can help you keep a steady watch on driveways and street-facing spots, since its wide 4K view and auto-tracking make it easier to notice repeat activity.

Safety Tips for Living in Indianapolis

Is Indianapolis safe? It can be, but it depends on where you are and what you do each day. These tips focus on simple habits that help you stay safe.

1. Daily habits that lower your risk

• Lock your car every time, even for a quick stop.
• Keep the car empty. Don’t leave bags, cords, or tools in sight.
• Park in bright, busy spots when you can, not dark back corners.
• Turn on porch lights or motion lights at night.
• Check side doors and windows once in a while, especially after storms or trips.
• In nightlife areas, stay aware late at night when streets get quieter.
• Join a neighborhood group or chat so you hear about problems early.

2. Outdoor coverage for yards and side entrances

Homes with driveways, alleys, or back gates can benefit from outdoor cameras. eufyCam S4 is built for that use. It gives a wide 4K view of the area, and the PTZ camera can turn and zoom to follow movement, so you see where someone goes instead of catching only one moment. Solar charging keeps it running without constant upkeep.

3. Front-door watch for deliveries and visitors

A lot of everyday theft in Indianapolis happens at the front door. Video Doorbell E340 helps you handle that. Its two cameras show both the visitor and the ground by the door, so you can check packages and see who is there before you open.

4. Indoor check for peace of mind

Indoor cameras help when you’re at work, asleep, or traveling. Indoor Cam S350 gives a clear 4K view and can pan and tilt around the room, so you can check on kids, pets, or any unexpected movement without blind spots.

5. One system if you want everything linked

If you prefer one setup instead of separate devices, the eufy ExpertSecure System connects cameras and sensors together. That way, door, window, and safety alerts come to one place, and you don’t have to juggle multiple apps.

Conclusion

Knowing the Indianapolis crime rate can help you feel more sure about getting around, but it’s not the whole story. Many parts of the city are calm and neighbor-focused, and daily life there feels normal.

Awareness plus simple tools can help. Security cameras or a video doorbell give you a clearer view of what’s happening at home.

In the end, feeling safe in Indianapolis comes from understanding your area and using tools that fit your life, not letting fear run it.

FAQs

How does Indianapolis rank in crime?

Indianapolis ranks as a high-crime U.S. city. NeighborhoodScout gives it a Crime Index of 3, meaning it’s safer than only about 3% of American cities, and over 99% of Indiana towns are safer. Compared with cities its size, it sits closer to the middle, but with violent crime and car theft still well above national norms.

What areas to stay away from in Indianapolis?

Areas locals often suggest being extra careful around include parts of the Near Eastside (like Tuxedo Park and the 38th St corridors), Haughville/West Side, Martindale–Brightwood, and sections of the Far Eastside. These spots show higher rates of theft and violence than the city average. Safety can change block to block, so check a recent crime map before picking a hotel or rental.

Is it safe to walk around Indianapolis at night?

Walking at night in Indianapolis can be okay in busy, well-lit areas like downtown, Mass Ave, or near major venues, especially in groups. But risk rises on quiet streets or parts of the east and west sides. Stay alert, avoid empty blocks, and use rideshare late.

Is Indianapolis actually safe in most areas?

Indianapolis isn’t safe “in most areas” in a city-wide sense. Overall crime is high compared with U.S. averages, but it’s uneven. Many northside and far-south neighborhoods feel calm and suburban, while parts of the east, near-north, and west sides see more trouble. Safety really depends on the exact area.