Burglary remains one of the most common property crimes in the United States, with 779,542 incidents reported in 2024, or roughly one every 51 seconds. Although national burglary rates have declined steadily since 2011, clearance rates remain low (≈11%), meaning most cases go unsolved.
Residential properties account for nearly two-thirds of burglaries, and homes without visible security systems face significantly higher risk. Afternoon hours, predictable routines, and prior victimization are major risk factors. While long-term exposure estimates suggest many households will experience burglary risk over time, preventive measures—especially security systems—dramatically reduce the likelihood of victimization.
Last updated: March 2026
Key Findings
- Burglary rates are declining, but risk remains widespread
- Most burglaries occur during daytime hours
- Residential homes are the primary target
- Prevention is more effective than post-crime recovery
2026 Burglary Trends and Risks
Burglary remains one of the most common property crimes in the United States. While national burglary rates have declined steadily over the past decade, hundreds of thousands of incidents still occur each year—and most go unsolved.
This report analyzes national burglary trends, state-by-state risk, when and how burglaries happen, and what actually reduces the likelihood of becoming a victim, using the most recent available data.
Key Burglary Statistics
- A burglary occurs in the U.S. approximately every 51 seconds
- 779,542 burglaries were reported in 2024 (↓ 8.1% from 2023)
- Police cleared only ~11% of burglary cases
- Reported household victimization reached 41.5%
- Homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized
- About 55% of burglaries involved forcible entry
- Roughly 50% of burglarized homes are targeted again within four weeks
Important consideration: While some analytics estimate that up to 75% of U.S. homes may experience burglary exposure over a 20-year period, this figure reflects the average risk exposure based on repeat victimization, population, and housing turnover. Individual risk varies significantly based on location, security measures, and behavior.
Burglary Trends Over Time (2011–2024)
Burglary has declined steadily since 2011, but remains a major crime category
| Year | Incidents |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,964,808 |
| 2015 | 1,447,743 |
| 2020 | 903,627 |
| 2023 | 839,563 |
| 2024 | 779,542 |
Why this matters: Lower crime rates do not mean lower personal risk—especially given low clearance rates and repeat targeting.
When and Where Burglaries Occur
Time of Day
- 53% occur in the afternoon
- Peak windows: 12–1 PM and 5–6 PM
- Summer burglary rates are about 11% higher than winter
Location Type
Residential burglaries dominate because homes are predictable, less monitored, and often unoccupied during the day.
| Location | % of Burglaries |
|---|---|
| Residences | 64.1% |
| Storage facilities | 6.2% |
| Commercial buildings | 6.1% |
Burglary Risk Factors
Homes are more likely to be burglarized when they have:
- No visible security system
- Predictable schedules
- Poor exterior lighting
- Prior burglary history
- Easy access points (first-floor windows, back doors)
- Publicly shared travel plans on social media
Common patterns make it easier for people to predict when a home might be empty.
Burglary by State (Per-Capita)
Higher per-capita rates reflect population-adjusted risk, not the total volume of burglaries. However, several rural or western states experience higher burglary rates than large urban centers, challenging common assumptions about cities.
Top states by burglary rate (per 100,000 residents, 2023):
- New Mexico: 517.9
- Washington: 481.0
- Oklahoma: 458.5
- Louisiana: 447.0
- Arkansas: 408.1
U.S. average: 250.7
Global Burglary
Burglary is a global phenomenon, with wide variation across countries. Some nations report burglary rates more than three times higher than the U.S., underscoring the role of enforcement, housing design, and social conditions.
How Burglars Enter Homes
Most burglaries exploit convenience, so it's important to secure all easy entry points.
| Entry Point | % |
|---|---|
| First floor | 81% |
| Back door | 22% |
| Windows | 23% |
| Garage | 9% |
| Basement | 9% |
Burglary vs. Robbery
- Burglary is a crime against property involving unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit a crime, whether or not anyone is present.
- Robbery is a crime against a person involving force or threats. The presence of a victim is not required for burglary.
What Gets Stolen (By Value)
Only about 29% of stolen property is recovered.
High-value losses include:
- Motor vehicles
- Cash
- Jewelry
- Electronics
- Firearms
Why this matters: Insurance recovery may be more difficult when expensive items are taken due to policy coverage limits and difficulty documenting the current value or price paid for the item.
Who Commits Burglaries
Demographic data reflects arrest and reporting statistics, not inherent criminal behavior.
Patterns indicate:
- Most offenders are male
- Highest offender rates appear in the ages of 20 to 39
- Many victims report knowing the offender
These trends highlight opportunity and proximity, not stereotypes.
How to Reduce Your Burglary Risk
Evidence-based prevention steps include:
- Installing a visible security system
- Improving exterior lighting
- Securing doors and windows
- Avoiding public travel posts
- Using safes for valuables
- Creating signs of occupancy
- Monitoring for property markings
Homes with alarms are dramatically less likely to be targeted.
The Bottom Line
This report presents a comprehensive analysis of burglary trends in the United States using data compiled from 21 sources across 16 unique datasets, including federal crime reporting systems, insurance loss data, and population-adjusted crime metrics. As of 2024, the U.S. recorded 779,542 burglary incidents, reflecting an 8.1% year-over-year decline and continuing a long-term downward trend that began in the early 2010s.
Despite declining incidence, burglary remains a high-impact crime due to low clearance rates (approximately 11%) and significant financial losses, with billions of dollars in personal property stolen annually and less than one-third recovered. Residential burglaries account for the majority of incidents, driven largely by predictable schedules, lack of security measures, and easy access points such as first-floor doors and windows.
The analysis identifies repeat victimization as a significant risk factor, with many homes targeted again within weeks of an initial burglary. Long-term risk exposure models suggest that a substantial portion of households will face burglary risk over time; however, these estimates represent the potential for exposure, not inevitability.
Preventive strategies, particularly visible security systems, improved lighting, and routine disruption, significantly reduce burglary risk. Given the low likelihood of case resolution after a burglary occurs, the data strongly support a prevention-first approach for homeowners, renters, property managers, and insurers.
Key Takeaway
While burglary rates are decreasing nationally, the most effective response remains risk awareness and proactive prevention, not reliance on post-crime enforcement.
Methodology & Data Sources
This report was compiled and analyzed by the Michael & Associates Research Team using:
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) and NIBRS data
- Insurance industry loss and recovery data
- U.S. Census population normalization
- World Population Review international crime datasets
- Peer-reviewed crime trend analyses
All rates are presented per 100,000 residents unless otherwise stated. Some long-term projections reflect risk-exposure modeling, not guaranteed outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as burglary?
Unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a crime.
Can burglary occur if no one is home?
Yes. Occupancy is not required.
Do burglaries usually happen at night?
No. Most occur during daytime hours.
Will burglary stay on a criminal record?
Felony burglary convictions typically remain permanent.
Does insurance cover burglary losses?
Often yes—but limits and exclusions apply.
Who This Guide Is For
- Homeowners and renters
- Property managers
- Insurance policyholders
- Journalists and researchers
- Anyone assessing burglary risk or prevention strategies
Note: This article was written by Rebecca Stumpf, Director of Research for Michael & Associates, and reviewed for accuracy by Ben Michael (Texas Bar Card #24088055), the law firm's managing partner.
