After many years of declining, burglary rates have stabilized.

To view data, click on the chart.

[D]

Note:  The National Crime Victimization Survey redesign was implemented in 1993; the area

with the lighter shading is before the redesign and the darker area after the redesign. The data before 1993 are adjusted to make them comparable with data collected since the redesign. The adjustment methods are described in Criminal Victimization 1973-95. Estimates for 1993 and beyond are based on collection year while earlier estimates are based on data year. Changes to the NCVS and their impact upon the survey's estimates in 2006 are discussed in the Criminal Victimization, 2006 Technical Notes. For additional information about the methods used, see Criminal Victimization 2009.

Source: The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

Ongoing since 1972 with a redesign in 1993, this survey of households interviews up to 134,000 persons age 12 and older in as many as 77,200 households twice each year about their victimizations from crime. .

Household burglary - Unlawful or forcible entry or attempted entry of a residence. This crime usually, but not always, involves theft. The illegal entry may be by force, such as breaking a window or slashing a screen, or may be without force by entering through an unlocked door or an open window. As long as the person entering has no legal right to be present in the structure a burglary has occurred. Furthermore, the structure need not be the house itself for a burglary to take place; illegal entry of a garage, shed, or any other structure on the premises also constitutes household burglary. If breaking and entering occurs in a hotel or vacation residence, it is still classified as a burglary for the household whose member or members were staying there at the time the entry occurred.