2025 Burglary Statistics: How Often Do Break-Ins Happen in the U.S.?

Researched 21 sources from 16 unique websites. Updated: 2025-11-19.

A burglary occurs every 51 seconds in the United States, so if you think you are safe, think again. According to the FBI, there were 779,542 burglaries in 2024.

And, shockingly, a jaw-dropping 75% of all U.S. homes will be burglarized over the next 20 years.  

While these numbers might be scary, with security systems becoming increasingly available and affordable, protecting your home is easier than ever. 

The Michael & Associates research team analyzed national data and compiled the following report. Using federal databases, we examined burglary trends and analyzed the likelihood of becoming a victim.

Key Takeaways

• In 2023, 12,429 Americans died in alcohol-related crashes. This is down from 13,458 in 2022. 
• Four out of every five drunk drivers are male.
• The 25-to-34 age group causes the most alcohol-related driving fatalities.
• 60% of alcohol-impaired accidents happen in urban areas.

Key Findings

• In the United States, a burglary occurs every 51 seconds.
• There were 779,542 burglary incidents reported in 2024, a decline of about 8.1% from 841,942 in 2023.
• The police have solved only 11% of the cases, whereas the victimization reported reached 41.5%.
• In the next 20 years, a jaw-dropping 75% of all houses will be burglarized.
• When a report is made, 98.5% of victims state they know their thief.
• In 2024, 55.4% of burglaries involved a forcible entry into the home, approximately 37.8% were unlawful entries, and 6.5% were attempted forcible entries.

General U.S. Burglary Statistics

• 75% of houses still lack a home security system, making them 300% more likely to be burglarized.
• The police have solved only 11% of the cases.
• 41.5% of homes have been burglarized.
• 51% of homes get burglarized again within four weeks of the original incident.
• 55.7% of burglaries involved forcing entry into a property.
• 37.8% of burglaries were unlawful entries into a home.
• 6.5% of would-be burglars attempted forcible entry.
• Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 62.8% of all burglary offenses. 

While reports show that home burglaries are decreasing, police have solved only 11% of the cases, while victimization reported reached 41.5%. About half of homes are burglarized again within four weeks of the original incident. For canny burglars, four weeks is often enough time to successfully file an insurance claim and replace some of the homeowner’s stolen items.

Burglary is the second most common type of property crime after robbery, with approximately 1,700 burglaries happening daily in the United States.

Additionally, predictive analytics indicated that over the next 20 years, a jaw-dropping 75% of all houses in the country will be burglarized, regardless of neighborhood. However, homeowners can always take steps (which we will discuss later) to secure their homes and minimize risk.

Burglary is Declining Steadily

With people working from home during the pandemic, burglary rates decreased significantly. The steady declines have continued, with 2024 burglaries down 8.1% over 2023.  This burglary decline aligns with the overall reduction in property crimes, which fell by 2.4% in 2023. 

Burglaries by Time and Location

Over half (53%) of burglaries occur in the afternoon, with the most popular hours being 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. As temperatures increase during the summer, burglary cases increase by 11% compared to the winter.

Mapped burglary areas indicate that most burglars strike homes within a few miles of their residences, as 64.1% of burglaries occur in residential properties. Nonetheless, both residential and nonresidential burglary victims lose an estimated $13.3 billion in personal property each year. Out of that, only 29% are recovered.

About 50% of homes still lack a home security system. Homes without an alarm system are 300% more likely to be burglarized.

By Location

Burglary by State

In the U.S., rural states experience more burglaries than those with big urban hubs. While New York and California are expected to have more burglaries per capita, they’re actually near the bottom of the list. Let’s see which states have the highest burglary rates.

This table ranks states by burglary rate per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023 (the most recent available data.)

Global Statistics

Unfortunately, burglary can happen anywhere in the world. However, this phenomenon occurs more frequently in some countries than in others. Below are the countries with the highest burglary rates worldwide per 100,000 residents, according to the World Population Review’s 2025 burglary report:​

Victims by Gender

• Men are 15.5% more likely to be victims of burglary.
• Women are 80.26% more likely to get robbed than to rob.
• Adults (30-39) are the age group who experienced the most burglaries.

How and Where Burglaries Happen

In 2019, 55.7% of burglaries involved forcefully entering the home, which means physical damage to personal property. Moreover, 37.8% were unlawful entries into the home, and 6.4% were attempted forcible entries.

Most frequent access points include:

• 9% – the garage door
• 22% – the back door
• 2% – the second floor
• 81% – the first floor
• 9% – the basement
• 23% – the window

Burglary vs. Robbery

While these two terms may appear similar, they differ in important ways.

• Burglary involves unlawful entry into a building, whether or not anything is stolen. It is considered a crime against a structure, however odd that sounds.
• Robbery is a crime against a person that involves taking belongings from a person with the threat or use of force.

READ MORE: Burglary vs. Robbery

What are the Most Commonly Stolen Items?

When someone breaks into your home, they will take practically anything. If something is valuable enough to have on hand, it makes sense for them to steal it. Only when an item’s resale value is lower than the risk of being busted does it it become off-limits for others to steal.

Property Stolen by Value

The Profile of an Average Burglar

When you imagine a typical burglar, what comes to mind? Do you think of the masked bandit popularized in the media or someone closer to home?

According to data, when a report is made, 98.5% of victims state they know their thief. This means there’s a perfect chance your neighbor or acquaintance could attempt to rob you.

Moreover, the modern burglar adapts to technology, circumstances, and opportunities, so it’s important to stay watchful in your neighborhood and surroundings.

By Gender

• Male 80.30%
• Female 19.70%

By Age

Regarding the burglar’s age, data show that the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups have the highest percentages of offenders, at 29.2% and 30.82%, respectively. 

The highest percentage of offenders is observed in the age group 10-19, which constitutes 13.3%.

As the age increases, the percentage of offenders decreases significantly. The age group 50-59 and above has the lowest offender rate, at 8.53% or lower. These findings suggest that the 20-39 age group is more likely to engage in criminal activity than any other age group.

By Race

How to Prevent a Burglary

If burglars see a structure as a potential target, they will most likely case it. This means they observe and learn your work and sleep schedules to break in at the right time and steal your possessions.

While most citizens take adequate measures to protect their homes, many underestimate the safety requirements; it is vital to understand how these incidents occur in your area so you and your belongings stay safe.

• Don’t post your plans on social media
• Get insurance
• Maintain your lawn and garden
• Upgrade your locks
• Install a home security system
• Purchase a safe and keep your valuables there
• Keep a TV or radio on when you leave the house
• Get a dog (or hang a sign that says “Beware of dog”)
• Examine your home periodically for security vulnerabilities

Most burglars mark targets before breaking in. Marking a home happens when a thief places a mark or symbol (commonly in chalk but also on flyers) onto surfaces around your property — like the side of your garage, a mailbox post, a garden shed, or even the home itself. Be on the lookout for these markings and remove them promptly if you find them.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Burglary

These are the most commonly asked social media questions about burglary in the U.S., according to Google Trends, Reddit, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

What counts as burglary (vs. robbery/theft?

Burglary occurs when someone enters a building, home, or structure without consent and intends to commit a crime inside, such as theft, assault, or another felony. Robbery involves taking property directly from a person using force or threats, while theft is simply unlawfully taking property without breaking in or using force. The key differences are that burglary requires unlawful entry plus intent, robbery requires force, and theft involves taking property without either.

What is the penalty for burglary in Texas?

Under Texas Penal Code §30.02, penalties depend on the type of structure entered: burglary of a building is a state jail felony, punishable by 6 months to two years in state jail and as much as $10,000 in fines; burglary of a habitation is a second-degree felony carrying two to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000; and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony other than theft is a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Texas treats residential burglary extremely seriously, even if nothing was stolen.

Can I be charged with burglary if no one was home?

Yes. Burglary does not require the homeowner or occupant to be present; prosecutors only need to prove that you entered a structure without consent and intended to commit a crime inside. Even attempting to enter—such as tampering with a door, lock, or window—can result in related felony charges.

What evidence is needed to prove burglary?

Prosecutors rely on evidence such as surveillance or doorbell camera footage, eyewitness accounts, signs of forced entry, fingerprints or DNA, burglary tools left at the scene, stolen property recovered from a suspect, cell phone location data, and even social media posts or admissions. Intent can be inferred from such behaviors as entering at night, carrying tools, or fleeing when confronted.

What should I do if I'm charged with burglary?

Do not speak to the police, as anything you say can be used against you; instead, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. Avoid discussing your case with anyone else, including friends, family, or on social media, and begin gathering helpful evidence such as alibis, GPS data, messages, or surveillance footage. Because burglary charges carry severe penalties, early legal intervention is crucial.

How common are burglaries?

The United States experiences hundreds of thousands of burglaries every year, and more than one in five property crimes involves burglary. Rates tend to be highest in urban areas, although suburban communities with higher housing density or affluence also see significant activity. Burglary rates vary widely by state, city, and neighborhood, and localized crime data is often needed for a specific area.

When and how do burglars break into homes?

Most burglaries occur during the daytime — typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. — when residents are away at work or school, with weekdays seeing the most activity. Common entry points include the front door, first-floor windows, back doors, garage doors, and sliding glass doors. Break-ins usually last 8 to 12 minutes because burglars want to get in and out quickly.

Will burglary show on my criminal record forever?

A burglary charge or conviction will remain on your record unless it qualifies for expunction—such as cases that were dismissed, no-billed, or resulted in acquittal—or, in limited situations, for an order of nondisclosure after deferred adjudication. Most felony burglary convictions in Texas cannot be sealed or expunged, making a strong early defense strategy essential.

How can I defend myself against a burglary accusation?

The best burglary defense depends on the specifics of your case —burglary cases are often circumstantial, which gives defense attorneys leverage. Common defenses include establishing an alibi, establishing that you legitimately believed that you had consent to be on the property, showing that you had no criminal intent, questioning whether you actually entered the structure in question, or considering whether you're a victim of mistaken identity. Because burglary cases often hinge on circumstantial evidence, skilled defense attorneys can frequently challenge the prosecution's proof.

Does homeowner or renter insurance cover burglary losses?

Most homeowner and renter insurance policies cover stolen property, forced-entry damage, broken doors or windows, and even garage or shed contents, but may exclude high-value items like jewelry or firearms without add-on coverage, as well as business property or losses caused by household members. Coverage typically requires a police report, and reimbursement is limited to policy limits and documentation provided.

The Bottom Line

You may not be aware, but burglary is a risk to everybody, no matter where they live or what their house looks like, so taking as many steps as possible to lower that risk is essential. Consider installing a home security system or a security camera to prevent break-ins.

The above statistics and figures may sound scary. Still, awareness is crucial to advancing a strategy. So, whether you apply one or all of the things you have learned today, doing so can save you a lot of hassle and despair. Stay safe!

Sources

• Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Data Explorer (CDE)
  
• Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
  
• Alarms
• ADT
• SafeWise
• Legaljobs
• Reolink
• Insurance
• Budget Direct
• Statista
• World Population Review
• Google Trends
• Reddit
• Facebook
• TikTok
• YouTube

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