Halifax

The economic and cultural hub of Atlantic Canada, rooted in maritime history and fueled by diverse modern industries.

47/100

Halifax Safety Score

Moderate

Ranked #30 out of 56 communities

Police Reported Crime Data

Total Crimes (2024)

33,735

↑ 8.6%

Historical Trend (1998 - 2024)

Clearance Rate

29.2%

Cases solved by police

9,834 Solved23,901 Unsolved

Most Common

Property Crime

63%

Property

Violent

Other

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 Score2024

Rank #30 of 56 areas

CSI: 74.0 (lower = safer)

Year-over-Year

2024

Overall↑ 3.5%

Violent↓ 3.8%

Non-Violent↑ 8.0%

CSI Trend

Halifax

🇨🇦 Canada Avg

Crime Breakdown2024

Violent

58.4%CSI 93.6

Non-Violent

41.6%CSI 66.7

Crime Breakdown

2024

Property Crime

63.6%59,834

Violent Crime

22.5%21,161

Other Offences

13.9%13,103

Comparison

5% BELOW NATL AVG

Halifax

74.0

Nova Scotia Avg

75.5

Canada Avg

77.9

Crime Severity Index — lower is safer

Police & Justice

Clearance Rate2024

30.3%

Percentage of reported crimes cleared by charge or otherwise. Higher rates indicate better police case resolution.

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

2,698↑61.9%vs 2023

Impaired driving incidents in Halifax

(166.2 per 100k)

Impaired Driving Trend (1998–2024)

Click on chart to view breakdown for that year

By Type

2,698 incidents(+61.9%)

🍺Impaired by alcohol

1,99299.4%

🏥Causing bodily harm

120.6%

💀Causing death

00%

🩸Failure to provide blood sample

00%

💨Failure to provide breath sample

00%

2,162

Total Charged

2,149

Adults Charged

Youth Charged

Impaired driving rate:166.2 per 100,000

In 2024, Halifax recorded 2,698 impaired driving incidents, an increase of 61.9% from 2023. The most common offence type was Impaired by alcohol (1,992 incidents, 99.4% of sub-types), followed by Causing bodily harm (12 incidents, 0.6%). The impaired driving rate was 166.2 per 100,000 population. A total of 2,162 persons were charged, including 2,149 adults and 13 youth.

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

🏘️

Socioeconomic Profile

Census 2021

465,703

Population

$69,500

Median Income

11.4%

Unemployment

58.7%

Homeownership

👥 Population

40.4

Median Age

9.1%

Growth (2016–2021)

💰 Income

$81,000

Median Household Income

$98,900

Average Household Income

12.0%

Low Income Prevalence (LIM-AT)

💼 Labour

65.4%

Participation Rate

58.0%

Employment Rate

11.4%

Unemployment Rate

🎓 Education (25–64)

No Certificate

48,640

High School

100,050

Postsecondary

243,195

Bachelor's+

127,895

🏠 Housing

$396,800

Avg. Dwelling Value

$1,247

Avg. Monthly Rent

$1,370

Avg. Mortgage Cost

🌍 Diversity

73,565

Visible Minorities

51,485

Immigrants

18,850

Indigenous Identity

According to the 2021 Census, Halifax had a population of 465,703 (+9.1% change from 2016) with a median age of 40.4. The median after-tax household income was $69,500, and the unemployment rate was 11.4%. Homeownership rate was 58.7% with an average dwelling value of $396,800.

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021

⚖️

Adult vs Youth Charged

2024

17,973

Adults Charged

+59.7% YoY

1,416

Youth Charged

+47.2% YoY

7.3%

Youth Share

19,389

Total Charged

Adult rate: 1383.1 per 100,000

Youth rate: 1505.1 per 100,000

2024

Adults: 17,973

Youth: 1,416

Adults (left axis) Youth (right axis)

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

Adult Δ (1998–2024)

+52.1%

Youth Δ (1998–2024)

-44.5%

In 2024, Halifax recorded 17,973 adults charged and 1,416 youth charged across all Criminal Code violations. Youth accounted for 7.3% of all persons charged. Since 1998, youth charges have changed by -44.5%, while adult charges changed by +52.1%.

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

🚗Motor Vehicle Theft🔵 VERY LOW

2024

1,465incidents

95 per 100,000 population

-83%

Since 1998

16.7%

Solved Rate

1999

Peak Year

1.7%

CSI Impact

Persons Charged139

👤 Adults: 127 (91%)🧑 Youth: 12 (9%)

Low solve rate for this crime type

How Cases Are Cleared

Cleared by Charge190 (78%)

Cleared Otherwise54 (22%)

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

Unfounded Reports

126

8.4%

of all reported MVT

vs National Average▼ 59% below

This Location95

National Avg232.5

Rate per 100KNational AvgPeak Year (1999)

Halifax recorded 1,465 motor vehicle thefts in 2024 (95 per 100K), down from a peak rate of 788.4 in 1999. 16.7% of cases resulted in clearance.

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

🔫

Firearms & Weapons

2024

Incidents

929

▲ 55.4% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

60.2

Breakdown

Possession of weapons

82480.3%

Firearms Act

636.1%

Pointing a firearm

444.3%

Discharge firearm

414%

Unsafe storage

363.5%

Weapons trafficking

181.8%

💊

Drug Offences

2024

Incidents

744

▲ 97.3% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

70.1

Breakdown

Cocaine trafficking

24258.6%

Other drug trafficking

17141.4%

Cannabis trafficking

00%

Cannabis possession

00%

🏠

Property Crime

2024

Incidents

59,834

▲ 71.5% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

3847.4

Breakdown

Theft under $5K

38,57574%

Mischief

8,33416%

Break & Enter

2,9335.6%

Motor vehicle theft

1,4652.8%

Theft over $5K

5951.1%

Arson

1620.3%

Shoplifting $5K+

750.1%

🔪

Violent Crime

2024

Incidents

21,161

▲ 43.1% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

1341.3

Breakdown

Assault Level 1

7,30755.1%

Assault Level 2

2,65820%

Sexual Assault L1

1,2689.6%

Robbery

8766.6%

Criminal Harassment

8146.1%

Uttering Threats

2131.6%

Assault Level 3

1361%

💰

Fraud & Identity Crime

2024

Incidents

6,607

▲ 60.6% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

423.2

Breakdown

Identity Fraud

52171.2%

Identity Theft

21128.8%

🔞

Sexual Violence

2024

Content warning: This section contains data about sexual offences

Total Incidents

1,880

▲ 47.3% vs 2023

SA L1 Rate / 100K

81.5

Breakdown

Sexual Assault L1

1,26867.4%

Violations Against Children

41322%

Non-consensual Images

1126%

Voyeurism

573%

Sexual Assault L2

211.1%

Sexual Assault L3

90.5%

🏚️

Breaking & Entering

2024

Incidents

2,933

▲ 36.0% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

188.1

Breakdown

Standard B&E

2,930100%

B&E to Steal Firearm

00%

🍺

Substance-Related Crime

2024

Total Incidents

3,442

▲ 68.5% vs 2023

Drug Rate / 100K

70.1

Breakdown

Impaired Driving

2,69878.4%

Drug Violations

74421.6%

Cannabis Possession

00%

Cannabis Trafficking

00%

Halifax

Nova Scotia, Canada

Population

480,582

Established

1996

Climate

Oceanic

Key Industries

Government, Military (Navy), Higher Education, Port

Police Service

Halifax Regional Police (HRP)

Police

About Halifax

Halifax is the capital and largest municipality of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Serving as a major economic center in Atlantic Canada, Halifax features a massive natural harbor, a strong naval presence, and a high concentration of universities and colleges.

Demographics & Economy

$82,000

Median Income

39 years

Median Age

5.9%

Unemployment Rate

68/100

Transit Score

Livability Score

A+

100/100 Score

Cost of Living Index

95Average

National Baseline = 100

Climate & Weather

Annual historical averages

July High

27.1°C

Jan Low

-3.8°C

Annual Rain

1221 mm

Annual Snow

202 cm

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📰 Latest Crime News

LIVE

March 24, 2026

Community Alert: RCMP Searching for Missing 17-Year-Old in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia

Community Alert: RCMP Searching for Missing 17-Year-Old in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is requesting the p…

Read More ↗

March 24, 2026

Community Alert: Antigonish County RCMP Investigate Theft of Historic Church Bell on Hwy 337

Community Alert: Antigonish County RCMP Investigate Theft of Historic Church Bell on Hwy 337 The Antigonish County District RCMP are investi…

Read More ↗

March 23, 2026

Community Safety Alert: Province-Wide Warrant for Impaired Driving Suspect in Nova Scotia

Community Safety Alert: Province-Wide Warrant for Impaired Driving Suspect in Nova Scotia Police in Queens County, Nova Scotia have issued a…

Read More ↗

March 23, 2026

Hebbville Safety Brief: RCMP Probe Assault, Threats and Replica Firearm in Lunenburg County Home

Hebbville Safety Brief: RCMP Probe Assault, Threats and Replica Firearm in Lunenburg County Home Overview: What Happened and Why It Matters …

Read More ↗

March 22, 2026

Hatchet Lake Community Alert Update: Missing Child Safely Located by RCMP

Hatchet Lake Community Alert Update: Missing Child Safely Located by RCMP Section 1: The Alert A child who had been reported missing from th…

Read More ↗

March 22, 2026

Province-Wide Warrant in Nova Scotia: Community Safety Brief on Musquodoboit Harbour Assault Suspect

Province-Wide Warrant in Nova Scotia: Community Safety Brief on Musquodoboit Harbour Assault Suspect Section 1: What We Know So Far The Hali…

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Nearby Areas

15 locations

References & Sources

Wikipedia

General information about Halifax

Statistics Canada

Crime statistics, population & census data

View source

Police Service

Official police website for Halifax

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

465,703

Population

$69,500

Median Income

11.4%

Unemployment

58.7%

Homeownership

👥 Population

40.4

Median Age

9.1%

Growth (2016–2021)

💰 Income

$81,000

Median Household Income

$98,900

Average Household Income

12.0%

Low Income Prevalence (LIM-AT)

💼 Labour

65.4%

Participation Rate

58.0%

Employment Rate

11.4%

Unemployment Rate

🎓 Education (25–64)

No Certificate

48,640

High School

100,050

Postsecondary

243,195

Bachelor's+

127,895

🏠 Housing

$396,800

Avg. Dwelling Value

$1,247

Avg. Monthly Rent

$1,370

Avg. Mortgage Cost

🌍 Diversity

73,565

Visible Minorities

51,485

Immigrants

18,850

Indigenous Identity

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021

Halifax Safety Score

Police Reported Crime Data

33,735

29.2%

Property Crime

Top 5 Reported Violations

Historical Trend by Violation

Safety Scores & Indices

Crime & Safety Overview

Safety Score2024

Year-over-Year

CSI Trend

Crime Breakdown2024

Crime Breakdown

Comparison

Police & Justice

Clearance Rate2024

Homicides

Impaired Driving

Socioeconomic Profile

👥 Population

💰 Income

💼 Labour

🎓 Education (25–64)

🏠 Housing

🌍 Diversity

Adult vs Youth Charged

Firearms & Weapons

Drug Offences

Property Crime

Violent Crime

Fraud & Identity Crime

Sexual Violence

Breaking & Entering

Substance-Related Crime

Halifax

About Halifax

Demographics & Economy

Climate & Weather

📰 Latest Crime News

Community Alert: RCMP Searching for Missing 17-Year-Old in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia

Community Alert: Antigonish County RCMP Investigate Theft of Historic Church Bell on Hwy 337

Community Safety Alert: Province-Wide Warrant for Impaired Driving Suspect in Nova Scotia

Hebbville Safety Brief: RCMP Probe Assault, Threats and Replica Firearm in Lunenburg County Home

Hatchet Lake Community Alert Update: Missing Child Safely Located by RCMP

Province-Wide Warrant in Nova Scotia: Community Safety Brief on Musquodoboit Harbour Assault Suspect

Nearby Areas

Cole Harbour 30

Halifax

Beaver Lake 17

Sheet Harbour 36

Stewiacke

Indian Brook 14

Colchester, Subd. C

Truro

Wallace Hills 14A

References & Sources

📰 Latest Crime News

Community Alert: RCMP Searching for Missing 17-Year-Old in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia

Community Alert: Antigonish County RCMP Investigate Theft of Historic Church Bell on Hwy 337

Community Safety Alert: Province-Wide Warrant for Impaired Driving Suspect in Nova Scotia

Hebbville Safety Brief: RCMP Probe Assault, Threats and Replica Firearm in Lunenburg County Home

Hatchet Lake Community Alert Update: Missing Child Safely Located by RCMP

Province-Wide Warrant in Nova Scotia: Community Safety Brief on Musquodoboit Harbour Assault Suspect

Crime & Safety Overview

Safety Score2024

Year-over-Year

CSI Trend

Crime Breakdown2024

Crime Breakdown

Comparison

Police & Justice

Clearance Rate2024

Homicides

Impaired Driving

Socioeconomic Profile

👥 Population

💰 Income

💼 Labour

🎓 Education (25–64)