Yellowknife

Crime data for Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Yellowknife Safety Score

Below Average

Police Reported Crime Data

Total Crimes (2024)

8,802

↓ 9.9%

Historical Trend (2010 - 2024)

Clearance Rate

28.8%

Cases solved by police

2,536 Solved6,266 Unsolved

Most Common

Property Crime

58%

Property

Other

Violent

Top 5 Reported Violations

Most frequent specific criminal code violations in 2024.

Historical Trend by Violation

No trend data available.

Safety Scores & Indices

Crime & Safety Overview

Data: 2024

Safety Score and CSI data are not available for this police service jurisdiction. Please refer to the crime breakdown below.

Crime Breakdown

2024

Property Crime

57.6%4,855

Other Offences

24.4%2,056

Violent Crime

18.0%1,521

Homicide data shown for Canada (national level)

Homicides

2024

788↓1.0%vs 2023

Homicide victims in Canada

(1.91 per 100k)

Homicide Trend (1961–2024)

Click on chart to view methods breakdown for that year

By Method

788 victims(-1.0%)

🔫Shooting

28636.3%

🔪Stabbing

25031.7%

👊Beating

13116.6%

📋Other methods used

445.6%

⛓️Strangulation

313.9%

❓Methods used unknown

293.7%

🔥Fire (burns or suffocation)

172.2%

Homicide rate:1.91 per 100,000

In 2024, Canada recorded 788 homicide victims, a decrease of 1.0% from 2023. The most common method was Shooting (286 victims, 36.3% of total), followed by Stabbing (250 victims, 31.7%). The homicide rate was 1.91 per 100,000 population.

Source: Statistics Canada, Homicide Survey — Tables 35-10-0068-01, 35-10-0069-01, 35-10-0071-01

Impaired Driving

2024

118↓55.1%vs 2023

Impaired driving incidents in Yellowknife

(529.2 per 100k)

Impaired Driving Trend (2010–2024)

Click on chart to view breakdown for that year

By Type

118 incidents(-55.1%)

🍺Impaired by alcohol

9198.9%

💀Causing death

11.1%

🩸Failure to provide blood sample

00%

💨Failure to provide breath sample

00%

🏥Causing bodily harm

00%

Total Charged

Adults Charged

Youth Charged

Impaired driving rate:529.2 per 100,000

In 2024, Yellowknife recorded 118 impaired driving incidents, a decrease of 55.1% from 2023. The most common offence type was Impaired by alcohol (91 incidents, 98.9% of sub-types), followed by Causing death (1 incidents, 1.1%). The impaired driving rate was 529.2 per 100,000 population. A total of 34 persons were charged, including 33 adults and 1 youth.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01 — Incident-based crime statistics

🏘️

Socioeconomic Profile

Census 2021

20,340

Population

$126,000

Median Income

5.8%

Unemployment

56.9%

Homeownership

👥 Population

35.2

Median Age

3.9%

Growth (2016–2021)

💰 Income

$148,000

Median Household Income

$165,400

Average Household Income

4.3%

Low Income Prevalence (LIM-AT)

💼 Labour

79.0%

Participation Rate

74.4%

Employment Rate

5.8%

Unemployment Rate

🎓 Education (25–64)

No Certificate

2,240

High School

4,265

Postsecondary

9,290

Bachelor's+

5,085

🏠 Housing

$494,000

Avg. Dwelling Value

$1,804

Avg. Monthly Rent

$2,358

Avg. Mortgage Cost

🌍 Diversity

3,990

Visible Minorities

3,265

Immigrants

4,810

Indigenous Identity

According to the 2021 Census, Yellowknife had a population of 20,340 (+3.9% change from 2016) with a median age of 35.2. The median after-tax household income was $126,000, and the unemployment rate was 5.8%. Homeownership rate was 56.9% with an average dwelling value of $494,000.

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021

⚖️

Adult vs Youth Charged

2024

621

Adults Charged

+14.6% YoY

Youth Charged

-28.6% YoY

6.1%

Youth Share

661

Total Charged

Adult rate: 3552.8 per 100,000

Youth rate: 2457.0 per 100,000

2024

Adults: 621

Youth: 40

Adults (left axis) Youth (right axis)

Dual-axis: each line has its own scale · Click to view year details

Adult Δ (2010–2024)

-37.7%

Youth Δ (2010–2024)

-52.9%

In 2024, Yellowknife recorded 621 adults charged and 40 youth charged across all Criminal Code violations. Youth accounted for 6.1% of all persons charged. Since 2010, youth charges have changed by -52.9%, while adult charges changed by -37.7%.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01 — Incident-based crime statistics

🚗Motor Vehicle Theft🔴 VERY HIGH

2024

105incidents

470.9 per 100,000 population

Since 2010

9.5%

Solved Rate

2023

Peak Year

—

CSI Impact

Persons Charged2

👤 Adults: 2 (100%)🧑 Youth: 0 (0%)

+ 1 youth diverted (not charged)

Very low — most thefts go unsolved

How Cases Are Cleared

Cleared by Charge3 (30%)

Cleared Otherwise7 (70%)

"Cleared otherwise" includes cases where charges cannot be laid (e.g., suspect deceased, diplomatic immunity, victim declines).

Unfounded Reports

16.7%

of all reported MVT

vs National Average▲ 103% above

This Location470.9

National Avg232.5

Rate per 100KNational AvgPeak Year (2023)

Yellowknife recorded 105 motor vehicle thefts in 2024 (470.9 per 100K), down from a peak rate of 563 in 2023. Only 9.5% of cases are solved, making it one of the hardest crimes for police to clear.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177. Click chart to select year.

🔫

Firearms & Weapons

2024

Incidents

▲ 14.3% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

143.5

Breakdown

Possession of weapons

2851.9%

Firearms Act

1731.5%

Pointing a firearm

47.4%

Unsafe storage

35.6%

Discharge firearm

11.9%

Weapons trafficking

11.9%

🏠

Property Crime

2024

Incidents

4,855

▼ 9.0% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

21765.3

Breakdown

Mischief

3,70278.8%

Theft under $5K

70415%

Break & Enter

1583.4%

Motor vehicle theft

1052.2%

Arson

160.3%

Theft over $5K

110.2%

Shoplifting $5K+

30.1%

🔪

Violent Crime

2024

Incidents

1,521

▼ 5.1% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

6821.6

Breakdown

Assault Level 1

82570.9%

Assault Level 2

14312.3%

Sexual Assault L1

887.6%

Robbery

403.4%

Uttering Threats

332.8%

Criminal Harassment

312.7%

Assault Level 3

30.3%

💰

Fraud & Identity Crime

2024

Incidents

131

▲ 9.2% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

587.5

Breakdown

Identity Fraud

660%

Identity Theft

440%

🔞

Sexual Violence

2024

Content warning: This section contains data about sexual offences

Total Incidents

116

▲ 30.3% vs 2023

SA L1 Rate / 100K

394.7

Breakdown

Sexual Assault L1

8875.9%

Violations Against Children

1714.7%

Non-consensual Images

97.8%

Sexual Assault L2

10.9%

Voyeurism

10.9%

Sexual Assault L3

00%

🏚️

Breaking & Entering

2024

Incidents

158

▲ 13.7% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

708.6

Breakdown

Standard B&E

158100%

B&E to Steal Firearm

00%

🍺

Substance-Related Crime

2024

Total Incidents

118

▼ 55.1% vs 2023

Drug Rate / 100K

—

Breakdown

Impaired Driving

118100%

Cannabis Possession

00%

Cannabis Trafficking

00%

Yellowknife

Northwest Territories, Canada

Population

20,340

Established

1936

Wikipedia

About Yellowknife

Yellowknife is the capital, largest community, and the only city in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It is on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, about 400 kilometres (250 mi) south of the Arctic Circle, on the west side of Yellowknife Bay near the outlet of the Yellowknife River.

Livability Score

82/100 Score

Cost of Living Index

125Very High

National Baseline = 100

Climate & Weather

Annual historical averages

July High

24°C

Jan Low

-20.2°C

Annual Rain

171 mm

Annual Snow

82 cm

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📰 Latest Crime News

LIVE

March 23, 2026

Community Safety Alert: National Impaired Driving Prevention Week in Northwest Territories

Community Safety Alert: National Impaired Driving Prevention Week in Northwest Territories From March 15 to March 23, the Northwest Territor…

Read More ↗

March 20, 2026

Custody Death Under RCMP Investigation in Yellowknife Hotel Arrest Case

Community Safety Alert: In-Custody Death Under RCMP Investigation in Yellowknife A 35-year-old man has died after being held in Yellowknife …

Read More ↗

March 20, 2026

Community Safety Alert: Fort Providence RCMP Seek Help Identifying Break‑and‑Enter Suspect

Community Safety Alert: Fort Providence RCMP Seek Help Identifying Break‑and‑Enter Suspect Fort Providence RCMP are asking the public for as…

Read More ↗

March 13, 2026

Community Safety Alert: Yellowknife RCMP Arrest Wanted Parolee and Seize Suspected Crack Cocaine

Community Safety Alert: Yellowknife RCMP Arrest Wanted Parolee and Seize Suspected Crack Cocaine Overview of the Incident On the evening of …

Read More ↗

March 13, 2026

Community Safety Alert: Suspect Arrested After Tour Bus Theft in Yellowknife

Community Safety Alert: Suspect Arrested After Tour Bus Theft in Yellowknife Incident Overview Yellowknife RCMP have charged a 39-year-old w…

Read More ↗

March 13, 2026

Community Safety Alert: Four Suspects Charged After Armed Home Invasion in Fort Providence

Community Safety Alert: Four Suspects Charged After Armed Home Invasion in Fort Providence Armed Home Invasion Under Investigation in Fort P…

Read More ↗

Nearby Areas

15 locations

References & Sources

Wikipedia

General information about Yellowknife

View source

Statistics Canada

Crime statistics, population & census data

View source

Crime data sourced from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Survey via Statistics Canada. Last updated for the most recent available reference year.

🏘️

Socioeconomic Profile

Census 2021

20,340

Population

$126,000

Median Income

5.8%

Unemployment

56.9%

Homeownership

👥 Population

35.2

Median Age

3.9%

Growth (2016–2021)

💰 Income

$148,000

Median Household Income

$165,400

Average Household Income

4.3%

Low Income Prevalence (LIM-AT)

💼 Labour

79.0%

Participation Rate

74.4%

Employment Rate

5.8%

Unemployment Rate

🎓 Education (25–64)

No Certificate

2,240

High School

4,265

Postsecondary

9,290

Bachelor's+

5,085

🏠 Housing

$494,000

Avg. Dwelling Value

$1,804

Avg. Monthly Rent

$2,358

Avg. Mortgage Cost

🌍 Diversity

3,990

Visible Minorities

3,265

Immigrants

4,810

Indigenous Identity

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021

Yellowknife Safety Score

Police Reported Crime Data

8,802

28.8%

Property Crime

Top 5 Reported Violations

Historical Trend by Violation

Safety Scores & Indices

Crime & Safety Overview

Crime Breakdown

Homicides

Impaired Driving

Socioeconomic Profile

👥 Population

💰 Income

💼 Labour

🎓 Education (25–64)

🏠 Housing

🌍 Diversity

Adult vs Youth Charged

Firearms & Weapons

Property Crime

Violent Crime

Fraud & Identity Crime

Sexual Violence

Breaking & Entering

Substance-Related Crime

Yellowknife

About Yellowknife

Climate & Weather

📰 Latest Crime News

Community Safety Alert: National Impaired Driving Prevention Week in Northwest Territories

Custody Death Under RCMP Investigation in Yellowknife Hotel Arrest Case

Community Safety Alert: Fort Providence RCMP Seek Help Identifying Break‑and‑Enter Suspect

Community Safety Alert: Yellowknife RCMP Arrest Wanted Parolee and Seize Suspected Crack Cocaine

Community Safety Alert: Suspect Arrested After Tour Bus Theft in Yellowknife

Community Safety Alert: Four Suspects Charged After Armed Home Invasion in Fort Providence

Nearby Areas

Yellowknife

Dettah

Fort Smith

Fort Good Hope

Sambaa K’e

Fort Liard

Region 1, Unorganized

Kakisa

Déline

References & Sources

Crime & Safety Overview

Crime Breakdown

Homicides

Impaired Driving

Socioeconomic Profile

👥 Population

💰 Income

💼 Labour

🎓 Education (25–64)

🏠 Housing

🌍 Diversity

Adult vs Youth Charged

Firearms & Weapons

Property Crime

Violent Crime

Fraud & Identity Crime

Sexual Violence

Breaking & Entering

Substance-Related Crime

📰 Latest Crime News

Community Safety Alert: National Impaired Driving Prevention Week in Northwest Territories

Custody Death Under RCMP Investigation in Yellowknife Hotel Arrest Case

Community Safety Alert: Fort Providence RCMP Seek Help Identifying Break‑and‑Enter Suspect

Community Safety Alert: Yellowknife RCMP Arrest Wanted Parolee and Seize Suspected Crack Cocaine

Community Safety Alert: Suspect Arrested After Tour Bus Theft in Yellowknife

Community Safety Alert: Four Suspects Charged After Armed Home Invasion in Fort Providence