Long Island Crime Statistics (Nassau & Suffolk)
Long Island, New York, made up of Nassau County and Suffolk County, is home to more than 2.8 million residents. Understanding local crime patterns is important for community members, policymakers, and visitors alike. This page presents the most reliable, government-sourced data on crime across both counties.
All statistics below are drawn from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Index Crime dataset, which tracks the major categories of violent and property crimes. We include a snapshot of the most recent complete year, multi-year trends, and county-level breakdowns.
For clarity: “Index Crimes” include violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft). Rates are presented per 100,000 residents, based on U.S. Census population estimates.
Long Island Crime (2022, Finalized)
| Area | Population | Total Index Crimes | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Crime Rate (per 100k) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island (total) | ~2,820,000 | 35,212 | 4,352 | 30,860 | 1,249 |
| Nassau County | ~1,355,000 | 14,775 | 1,612 | 13,163 | 1,090 |
| Suffolk County | ~1,465,000 | 20,437 | 2,740 | 17,697 | 1,395 |
Ten-Year Trend (2013–2022)
| Year | Nassau Total | Suffolk Total | Long Island Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20,190 | 25,985 | 46,175 |
| 2014 | 19,320 | 25,107 | 44,427 |
| 2015 | 18,442 | 23,866 | 42,308 |
| 2016 | 17,965 | 22,431 | 40,396 |
| 2017 | 17,421 | 21,707 | 39,128 |
| 2018 | 16,889 | 21,012 | 37,901 |
| 2019 | 16,402 | 20,445 | 36,847 |
| 2020 | 15,872 | 19,877 | 35,749 |
| 2021 | 15,290 | 19,665 | 34,955 |
| 2022 | 14,775 | 20,437 | 35,212 |
Source: NYS DCJS Index Crimes by County and Agency (1990–2022).
County Details (2022)
Nassau County
- Population: ~1.36 million
- Total Index Crimes: 14,775
- Violent: 1,612
- Property: 13,163
- Rate per 100k: 1,090
Crime in Nassau has gradually declined over the past decade, reaching its lowest point in 2022. Larceny remains the largest category, followed by burglary. The county’s violent crime rate remains well below state and national averages.
Suffolk County
- Population: ~1.47 million
- Total Index Crimes: 20,437
- Violent: 2,740
- Property: 17,697
- Rate per 100k: 1,395
Suffolk continues to record higher overall crime numbers than Nassau, primarily due to its larger population and higher rates of property crime. Violent crime represents a slightly larger share of Suffolk’s total when compared with Nassau.
Methodology
- Data source: New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Index Crimes dataset.
- Final vs. preliminary: Each year’s data are first released as preliminary in spring, then finalized in fall. This page uses final 2022 statistics.
- Population estimates: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS).
- Rates: (Crime count ÷ Population) × 100,000.
- Scope: Includes Nassau County (Nassau County PD, Glen Cove PD, Long Beach PD) and Suffolk County (Suffolk County PD, village departments, NYSP where relevant).
Quick Crime Comparison — Long Island, New York State & U.S.
This summary table shows Long Island’s latest crime totals and rates side by side with New York State and U.S. figures for context. All Long Island figures below match the tables above (DCJS final 2022). The Long Island crime rate is computed from combined Nassau + Suffolk counts over a combined population of ~2.82M.
| Metric | Long Island (Nassau + Suffolk) | New York State | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Index Crimes (2022) | 35,212 | 421,627 | ≈7.8 million |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000) | 1,249 | 2,141 | 2,335 |
| Violent vs. Property (share) | 12.4% / 87.6% | — | — |
FAQ
Q: Why does this page use DCJS data instead of FBI reports?
A: DCJS provides the most complete and consistent record for New York State, reconciling all local agency submissions. FBI data can sometimes undercount when agencies transition systems.
Q: Why present rates instead of raw counts?
A: Rates account for population differences, making it possible to compare areas fairly over time.
Q: How often is this updated?
A: DCJS finalizes each year’s statistics in the fall of the following year. This page is updated periodically when significant new data becomes available.
Q: Are these numbers the same as “reported crime”?
A: Yes — Index Crime statistics reflect offenses reported to police. They may not capture every incident, since not all crimes are reported.
Additional Crime Categories: Hate Crimes & Juvenile Offenses
While most crime reports focus on “Index Crimes” such as murder, robbery, burglary, and auto theft, there are other categories of crime that are highly relevant to communities on Long Island. Two of these – hate crime incidents and juvenile offending – receive separate tracking by New York State agencies due to their legal and social significance. The numbers below reflect the most recent publicly available official statistics for Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Hate Crime Statistics
Hate crimes are defined under New York law as crimes motivated in whole or in substantial part by a belief or perception regarding a person’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or other protected status. These incidents are tracked separately from general crime statistics.
| Year | Nassau County | Suffolk County | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28 incidents | 28 incidents | NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Hate Crime Report |
| 2020 | 27 incidents | 19 incidents | Data includes both adult and juvenile offenders |
| 2019 | 24 incidents | 17 incidents | Numbers reflect reported & confirmed hate crime incidents |
Note: Hate crime totals are relatively small compared to overall crime, but they carry disproportionate social impact. These numbers include both completed and attempted criminal acts and depend heavily on reporting, classification, and local enforcement practices.
Juvenile Crime & Youth Justice Statistics
Juvenile crime data refers to offenses committed by individuals under 18. These cases are handled in Family Court or the Youth Part of Criminal Court and are tracked differently from adult crimes. Data availability varies because some juvenile cases are sealed or recorded as “intake events” rather than arrests.
| Category | Nassau County | Suffolk County | Latest Available Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juvenile Arrests (under 18) | ~660 | ~850 | NYS DCJS – 2018 Snapshot |
| Juvenile Court Intakes | ~530 | ~746 | NYS Juvenile Justice Profile |
| Most Common Offenses | Assault, larceny, criminal mischief | Assault, larceny, burglary | Based on state intake data |
| Trend Direction | Decreasing over last decade | Decreasing but higher volume | Consistent with statewide trends |
Note: Juvenile arrest rates have declined statewide, including on Long Island, due in part to Raise the Age reforms, diversion programs, and expanded youth services. Because juvenile records are often sealed and data is not released at the same granularity as adult crimes, these figures represent the best available official summaries.
Why These Categories Are Not in the Main Crime Table
Hate crimes and juvenile offenses are reported through specialized state systems rather than the standard Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) or FBI NIBRS categories used for adult “index crimes.” For this reason, they are not included in consolidated county crime totals – but they provide important insights into specific crime trends and community safety issues.
Note
For additional detail, the following official sources publish updated statewide reports:
- NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services – Hate Crime Annual Reports
- NYS Office of Youth Justice – Juvenile Crime & Intake Profiles
- Suffolk County & Nassau County Probation Reports
- FBI Crime Data Explorer (limited juvenile reporting)
