10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn, NY is known for its diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique characteristics.

However, like any city, a few neighborhoods in Brooklyn are dangerous. Crime rates are high here. Residents and visitors feel uneasy there.

If you compare Brooklyn’s crime rate vs New York, Brooklyn’s crime rate is around 89% higher than the state average.

We’ve listed ten of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Brooklyn for your attention. We’ve also provided you with maps of each one.

But first of all, let’s look at the crime rate in Brooklyn, New York.

What’s the Crime Rate in Brooklyn, NY (in 2026)?

According to NeighborhoodScout, crime rates for Brooklyn, NY indicate that the chance of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 146, and property crime is 1 in 50.

That’s quite high, let’s be honest!!

The image above shows the crime map overview of Brooklyn, according to NYC.gov (see Brooklyn’s crime map above). Red areas are the most dangerous.

Here’s another one from NeighborhoodScout. The bluer it is, the more dangerous:

So in New York, over 96% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Brooklyn. And it includes:

• Murder;
• Rape;
• Robbery;
• Aggravated assault;
• Grand theft–vehicle;
• And burglary.

The violent crime rate in Brooklyn is, in fact, the highest in the nation, the chances of being one of these victims is 1 in 146.

Here’s another table of crime data for your attention:

So based on Neighborhoodscout data, Brooklyn is much safer than 8% of U.S. cities.

Also, let’s see the violent crime comparison (per 1,000 residents) in Brooklyn, which is close to 6.4 (see the graph below):

But let’s see below which are the worst neighborhoods in Brooklyn, New York.

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So What are the Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Brooklyn, NY?

Now, let’s go through the neighborhoods one by one below.

1. Brownsville, Brooklyn

Located in eastern Brooklyn, Brownsville is the most dangerous neighborhood in New York.

Overall, it has high poverty and crime rates. Its history dates to the mid-1800s.

Also, this neighborhood is called the “murder capital of New York.” It constantly has issues with crime and public safety.

2. East New York, Brooklyn

East New York has faced persistent challenges related to safety and crime rates.

In general, it’s known for its high crime rates, including violent crimes, burglaries, and gang-related activities.

On the other hand, it also has economic challenges.

Because of this, the neighborhood is having a crime problem also throughout its history.

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3. Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY

Bedford-Stuyvesant or Bed-Stuy is among the worst neighborhoods in the northern section of Brooklyn, New York.

Worth mentioning that the violent crime rate is about 1,060 per 100,000 people and the average crime rate is approximately 2,900 per 100,000 people.

Some of the top reasons for this picture are economic inequality and poverty.

Above all, the neighborhood started to experience its worst times in the 1980s when the crime rate started to increase in the area.

4. Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY

Bushwick is the last neighborhood on the list of the worst neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

However, I have to state that this neighborhood is comparatively the least dangerous in Brooklyn.

Nevertheless, it still stays famous with its high crime rate. The overall crime rate stands at around 3,500 per 100,000 people – that’s basically becoming a crime victim of about 1 in 40.

You may also like: 15 Safest Neighborhoods in New York City

Main takeaways

The Brooklyn, New York neighborhood has long been associated with varying levels of safety and crime.

If you’ve noticed, the Bronx has the most dangerous neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

Yes, other areas also have high crime, economic inequality, and poverty. But, if you’re traveling to the Bronx, keep safety rules top of mind.

Keep safe!!