One of the oldest cities in the United States, Providence, Rhode Island is rich in history. Providence also serves as the Rhode Island state capital and is the third-most populous city in New England. Providence’s economy relies heavily on the service industry, though it is still considered an important manufacturing hub. If you’re planning to relocate here, you’ll need to know whether or not you’ll feel secure living there. So is Providence a safe place to live?
Crime in Providence has been on the decline since 2015. However, there is a lot more that goes into the total picture of whether or not a city is safe than such a general statistic. It’s important to take a closer look at crime in Providence if you’re considering moving there. Our guide will give you a better understanding of what types of crimes are committed in Providence, what the safer areas are, which areas to avoid, and more.
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Understanding the Crime Rate in Providence
So how can you interpret crime rates? When researchers and police departments calculate crime rates, they divide the number of crimes reported by the city’s population. That figure is then multiplied by 100,000. In addition to total crime rates, experts look at violent crime and property crime rates. Violent crimes include incidents such as murders, abductions, assaults, and more. Property crimes include burglary, theft, and more. The data comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Statistics – 2019.
Here’s a quick summary of total crime rates in Providence:
- Providence total crimes: 6,498
- Providence total crime rate: 3,607 per 100,000 people
- Chance of being a victim of a crime in Providence: 1 in 28
Every city’s police department or government website releases important crime information. It’s a very helpful way to get a close-up look at the Providence crime trends. Click here to review weekly Providence crime statistics as reported by the City of Providence. In addition to the weekly reports, the city provides case and arrest logs that residents can review.
Click here for a Providence RI crime map.
Violent Crime in Providence
Violent crime in Providence has been steadily declining since 2015, and at a faster rate than the national average. However, violent crime in Providence increased by about 9% between 2018 and 2019.
With a rate of 455 per 100,000 people, violent crime rates in Providence are about 30% higher than the national average. An average of 1.36 violent crimes are reported in Providence every day, more than twice as frequently as the Rhode Island average.
- Providence Murder Rate: 5.6 per 100,000 people
- Providence Total Violent Crimes: 819
- Providence Violent Crime Rate: 455 per 100,000 people
- 1 in 220 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Providence
Property Crime in Providence
In Providence, property crime is much more prevalent than violent crime. However, Providence property crime rates have been declining year over year since 2008. Between 2018 and 2019, property crime in Providence decreased by 4%.
Property crimes in Providence are about 40% higher than the national average, with a rate of 3,152 per 100,000 people. The most common property crime in Providence is theft.
- Providence total property crimes: 5,679
- 1 in 32 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Providence
Dangerous Areas of Providence
Every city is divided into neighborhoods, and crime rates can be wildly different from one neighborhood to the next. The majority of Providence’s violent crime, especially murder, take place in the poorer neighborhoods. In Providence, the least safe neighborhoods are:
Olneyville
- Population: 7,046
- Crime rate: 44% higher than the Providence average
Olneyville is bordered by US Route 6 at its southwest side, Rhode Island Route 10 to the east, and Atwells Avenue to the north. The neighborhood was once a prosperous mill industry hub, but after WWII, the industry declined, and so did the neighborhood. Today, it is estimated that over 40% of Olneyville residents live in poverty. Chances of being a victim of a crime in Olneyville is 1 in 20.
Lower South Providence
- Population: 6,027
- Crime rate: 16% higher than the Providence average
Lower South Providence spans north to south from Public Street to I-95, and east to west from the Providence River to Broad Street. The neighborhood was thriving until the creation of I-95, which saw numerous buildings razed, loss of green spaces, and the end of the area’s access to the waterfront. The neighborhood has a 13.4% unemployment rate, and median household income of only $22,100. There is a 1 in 25 chance of being a victim of crime in Lower South Providence.
West End
- Population: 17,375
- Crime rate: 16% higher than the Providence average
West End, sometimes referred to as the South Side, is bound by Westminster Street to the north, Elmwood Avenue to the east, Route 10 to the west, and Huntington Avenue to the south. The area was hit hard during the Depression, and many middle class residents moved elsewhere. The construction of Route 10 only served to separate the West End from the rest of Providence. Today, over a third of West End residents live in poverty. Just like with Lower South Providence, there are many efforts to improve the neighborhood. Though overall crime dropped between 2018 and 2019, violent crime grew. The current chance of being the victim of a crime in West End is 1 in 25.
Safest Neighborhoods in Providence
Providence is officially divided into 25 separate neighborhoods, and plenty of them are extremely safe! Here is a look at some of the safest neighborhoods in Providence:
Blackstone
- Population: 6,336
- Crime rate: 60% lower than the Providence average
With a median household income of $127,100 and median home price of $430,750, Blackstone is one of Providence’s most affluent neighborhoods. One of the last areas in Providence to be developed, Blackstone is mostly residential with beautiful green spaces like Lippitt Memorial Park and Blackstone Boulevard Park. Blackstone is also home to several places of worship, Brown Stadium, Ladd Observatory, and Festival Ballet Providence.
College Hill
- Population: 9,005
- Crime rate: 55% lower than the Providence average
The historic College Hill neighborhood is Providence’s wealthiest area. The neighborhood’s name is a nod to the many institutions of higher education within its borders, Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design among them. It’s an architecturally beautiful neighborhood, where homes average $869,000 sell prices. There are many ongoing efforts to preserve College Hill, which has been designated one of the Great Places in America by the American Planning Association.
Wayland
- Population: 3,028
- Crime rate: 55% lower than the Providence average
Wayland is another historic neighborhood that is highly sought after. The area was mostly built up at the turn of the 20th century, so prospective residents can expect to find homes in the Victorian and Queen Anne styles. Homes in Wayland go for a median sale price of $650,000, and housing prices are rapidly increasing. Chances of being the victim of a violent crime in Wayland are extremely low (1 in 2565).
Providence Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Providence
- Don’t go out after dark in the South Side of Providence
- Get to know your neighbors and look into neighborhood watch groups
- Lock windows and doors and increase lighting no matter where in Providence you live
Providence Police Department
The Rhode Island State Police (RISD) was formed in 1925. They has a unique way of hiring, where police officers would enlist to serve for three years, and then they’d be up for reenlistment if they wanted it. This is still how they do things today, and before being reenlisted, they have to pass a full medical exam and have their job performance over the last three years reviewed. The current commissioner in Providence is Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Barry. Anyone can look at the Providence police report log where they list out crimes in the area. There are 436 police officers in Providence, with 2.4 officers per 1,000 people.
Providence Police Headquarters
325 Washington St, Providence, RI 02903, (401) 272-3121
Providence Crime Rates FAQ
What is the crime rate in Providence, Rhode Island?
Providence’s total crime rate is 3,607 per 100,000 people. There is a 1 in 29 chance of being a victim of a crime in Providence.
What are the worst areas of Providence?
The most dangerous areas in Providence are the Olneyville, West End, and Lower South Providence neighborhoods.
Is Providence safer than Boston?
Total crime rates in Boston are lower than Providence. However, violent crime rates in Boston are 64% higher than the national average, which is 33% higher than Providence’s violent crime rates compared to the national average.
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