WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent Gallup poll indicates that American concern over personal safety and crime has reached its highest level in 30 years. Currently, 40% of Americans express fear about walking alone at night within a mile of their home, a sentiment not seen since the significant crime wave of 1993.
This poll, part of Gallup’s annual Crime survey conducted from October 2-23, reveals nuanced perspectives on safety. The historical context shows that concerns about personal safety have fluctuated over the years, with the lowest recent point being 29% in October 2020, during the height of COVID-19 pandemic social distancing measures. The figure has since risen, returning to pre-pandemic levels and now surpassing them.
The survey underscores gender and socioeconomic disparities in perceptions of safety. Fear of walking alone at night is significantly higher among women (53%) than men (26%). Additionally, this fear is more pronounced among those living in households earning less than $40,000 per year (49%) compared to higher income brackets. Geographical differences are also evident, with city residents (50%) expressing more concern than those in suburbs (39%) or rural areas (30%).
The poll also delves into specific crime concerns. The most common worry among Americans is identity theft, with 72% frequently or occasionally concerned about it. Other significant fears include car theft or break-ins (50%), home burglary when not present (44%), mugging (37%), and being attacked while driving (32%). Concerns about hate crimes, murder, and sexual assault are also notable, though slightly less prevalent.
Notably, public concern for most of these crimes has peaked since 2020, with the exception of fear of home burglary when not present, which reached its highest point in 2006. The recent surge in car thefts has particularly heightened fears, with a record-high 50% of Americans now worried about car theft or break-ins, a slight increase from the previous year.