Have you been itching to explore more of the Empire State, but aren’t quite sure which dangerous places to avoid in New York? While the state has so much to offer, many of the places on this list could best be left unseen. Pulling crime data from Home Security Shield and Neighborhood Scout, below you can check out the most dangerous places in New York. Though, you might be missing out. Many still have plenty of selling points!

  1. If you’re reading this and you’re a New Yorker, this chart topper shouldn’t be a surprise at all. With a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim in Newburgh, it’s definitely earned its spot at the top.

arwcheek / Flickr Newburgh, NY 12550, USA

  1. Buffalo, the first city to showcase electric steel lights in 1886, has now apparently crossed over to the dark side! With a whopping national crime index of 4/100 (100 being the safest) it’s no wonder Buffalo made the number two spot on our list!

Zen Skillicorn / Flickr Buffalo, NY, USA

  1. Home to one of New York’s biggest tourist attractions, this city’s reckless behavior dates all the way back to the Prohibition era. It’s kept its reputation as one of the most dangerous places in New York.

Richie Diesterheft / Flickr Niagara Falls, NY, USA

  1. Poughkeepsie, midway point between Albany and New York City, is home to the oldest running newspaper in the state and third oldest in the nation. Your chances of becoming a victim of crime in Poughkeepsie? One in 25.

Malcolm K. / Flickr Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

  1. If one were attempting to quickly summarize the city of Rochester, one would probably explain that this is where they first became acquainted with “Gun Shot Sensors,” because, yes, those are a thing. Formerly known as the “Flower City,” it seems that Rochester is soft no longer.

Rich Engelbrecht / Flickr Rochester, NY, USA

  1. Known for receiving burdensome amounts of snow, this city is also quite dangerous. Your chances of becoming a victim of crime in Syracuse are 1 in 20.

David Wilson / Flickr Syracuse, NY, USA

  1. While Schenectady may have found itself falling in the middle of our list, it is still only safer than 7% of all cities in the United States, and it is still one of the most dangerous cities in New York.

Caitee Smith / Flickr Schenectady, NY, USA

  1. Home to the capital of New York, this upstate area holds many historic gems. Your chances of becoming a victim of crime in Albany? One in 19.

Daniel Langer / Flickr Albany, NY, USA

  1. Middletown, a city once in industrialized by up-and-coming factories, now provides you with a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Yikes!

Doug Kerr / Flickr Middletown, NY 10940, USA

  1. Monticello Village, named after the famous residence of Thomas Jefferson, has a crime rate of 47 per one thousand residents.

Christoph Borer Monticello, NY 12701, USA

  1. Located on the north side of the Mohawk River, Herkimer holds roughly 7,000 inhabitants. Your chances of becoming a victim of crime in Herkimer? One in 17.

Doug Kerr / Flickr Herkimer, NY 13350, USA

  1. Originally dubbed the Valley of Opportunity, sadly it would seem the only thing Binghamton can offer you in current times is to become a victim of crime. Your chances? One in 17.

Stian Olsen / Flickr Binghamton, NY, USA

  1. Only in Troy can you drive from a renowned school to an infamous haunted graveyard in under five minutes. With a 1 in 18 chance of becoming a victim of crime, this city makes our list.

Doug Kerr / Flickr Troy, NY, USA

  1. Holding one of our larger populations on the list, Utica’s crime rate for its residents is 50 per one thousand.

Onasill ~ Bill Badzo / Flickr Utica, NY, USA

  1. Named after the English city of Bath, we conclude our list of the most dangerous cities in New York with this small Western New York village. Your chances of becoming a victim of crime in this area? One in 21.

Doug Kerr / Flickr Bath, NY 14810, USA

While personally my hometown has made this list, I am able to see the good through the bad! So what taste is left in your mouth after reading this list? Are you comfortably residing in one of the areas on our list and feel outraged? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

arwcheek / Flickr

Newburgh, NY 12550, USA

Zen Skillicorn / Flickr

Buffalo, NY, USA

Richie Diesterheft / Flickr

Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Malcolm K. / Flickr

Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

Rich Engelbrecht / Flickr

Rochester, NY, USA

David Wilson / Flickr

Syracuse, NY, USA

Caitee Smith / Flickr

Schenectady, NY, USA

Daniel Langer / Flickr

Albany, NY, USA

Doug Kerr / Flickr

Middletown, NY 10940, USA

Christoph Borer

Monticello, NY 12701, USA

Herkimer, NY 13350, USA

Stian Olsen / Flickr

Binghamton, NY, USA

Troy, NY, USA

Onasill ~ Bill Badzo / Flickr

Utica, NY, USA

Bath, NY 14810, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Dangerous Places in New York March 17, 2022 Danielle Schwartz What is the smallest town in New York? The smallest town in New York, geographically, is Green Island. Located about 8 miles away from Albany, Green Island covers only 0.7 square miles of space! Its population is approximately 2600, making this a small town in terms of number of residents as well. It was once a hub of the automobile industry and Ford Motor Company had a manufacturing plant there. Today, it’s a close-knit community with events throughout the year and fun activities for families, including holiday parades and races. What is the richest town in New York? North Hills is the richest town in New York. With a median income of $155,679 and a median home price of $1,057,000, it is not cheap to live in this upscale area. In fact, the cost of living here is 2.1 times the national average, and the median rent is $1571. The population on North Hills is 5800 people, significantly higher than it was in 2010 at 4940. The majority of the adult population in the town has at least a bachelor’s degree, so it’s quite a well-educated group of residents. What is the most beautiful small town in New York? One of the most beautiful small towns in New York is Cold Spring. About 50 miles north of Manhattan, you’ll find a little paradise on the Hudson River. This is a great place to go for a lovely classic small town experience. You’ll love the sweet and charming Main Street for its fun restaurants, shops, and live entertainment on weekends. Cold Spring will also be a favorite of the outdoorsy ones in your group- the biking trails here are gorgeous. Check out the leaves in the fall for some classic autumn photo opportunities. This little town offers the best of upstate New York!    

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Dangerous Places in New York

March 17, 2022

Danielle Schwartz

What is the smallest town in New York? The smallest town in New York, geographically, is Green Island. Located about 8 miles away from Albany, Green Island covers only 0.7 square miles of space! Its population is approximately 2600, making this a small town in terms of number of residents as well. It was once a hub of the automobile industry and Ford Motor Company had a manufacturing plant there. Today, it’s a close-knit community with events throughout the year and fun activities for families, including holiday parades and races. What is the richest town in New York? North Hills is the richest town in New York. With a median income of $155,679 and a median home price of $1,057,000, it is not cheap to live in this upscale area. In fact, the cost of living here is 2.1 times the national average, and the median rent is $1571. The population on North Hills is 5800 people, significantly higher than it was in 2010 at 4940. The majority of the adult population in the town has at least a bachelor’s degree, so it’s quite a well-educated group of residents. What is the most beautiful small town in New York? One of the most beautiful small towns in New York is Cold Spring. About 50 miles north of Manhattan, you’ll find a little paradise on the Hudson River. This is a great place to go for a lovely classic small town experience. You’ll love the sweet and charming Main Street for its fun restaurants, shops, and live entertainment on weekends. Cold Spring will also be a favorite of the outdoorsy ones in your group- the biking trails here are gorgeous. Check out the leaves in the fall for some classic autumn photo opportunities. This little town offers the best of upstate New York!    

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The smallest town in New York, geographically, is Green Island. Located about 8 miles away from Albany, Green Island covers only 0.7 square miles of space! Its population is approximately 2600, making this a small town in terms of number of residents as well. It was once a hub of the automobile industry and Ford Motor Company had a manufacturing plant there. Today, it’s a close-knit community with events throughout the year and fun activities for families, including holiday parades and races.

What is the richest town in New York?

North Hills is the richest town in New York. With a median income of $155,679 and a median home price of $1,057,000, it is not cheap to live in this upscale area. In fact, the cost of living here is 2.1 times the national average, and the median rent is $1571. The population on North Hills is 5800 people, significantly higher than it was in 2010 at 4940. The majority of the adult population in the town has at least a bachelor’s degree, so it’s quite a well-educated group of residents.

What is the most beautiful small town in New York?

One of the most beautiful small towns in New York is Cold Spring. About 50 miles north of Manhattan, you’ll find a little paradise on the Hudson River. This is a great place to go for a lovely classic small town experience. You’ll love the sweet and charming Main Street for its fun restaurants, shops, and live entertainment on weekends. Cold Spring will also be a favorite of the outdoorsy ones in your group- the biking trails here are gorgeous. Check out the leaves in the fall for some classic autumn photo opportunities. This little town offers the best of upstate New York!