Waterloo

Crime data for Waterloo, Ontario.

51/100

Waterloo Safety Score

Moderate

Ranked #28 out of 56 communities

Police Reported Crime Data

Total Crimes (2024)

39,219

↑ 2.0%

Historical Trend (1998 - 2024)

Clearance Rate

32.3%

Cases solved by police

12,676 Solved26,543 Unsolved

Most Common

Property Crime

60%

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 #28 of 56 areas

CSI: 72.7 (lower = safer)

Year-over-Year

2024

Overall↓ 4.4%

Violent↓ 1.8%

Non-Violent↓ 5.7%

CSI Trend

Waterloo

🇨🇦 Canada Avg

Crime Breakdown2024

Violent

58.1%CSI 91.4

Non-Violent

41.9%CSI 65.8

Crime Breakdown

2024

Property Crime

60.5%68,721

Violent Crime

26.7%30,375

Other Offences

12.8%14,544

Comparison

7% BELOW NATL AVG

Waterloo

72.7

Ontario Avg

60.7

Canada Avg

77.9

Crime Severity Index — lower is safer

Police & Justice

Clearance Rate2024

32.1%

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

Hate crime data shown for Ontario (provincial level)

Hate Crimes

2024

2,575↑3.0%vs 2023

Police-reported hate crime incidents in Ontario

Hate Crime Trend (2014–2024)

Click on chart to view sub-categories for that year

By Motivation

Sub-categories based on national distribution

In 2024, Ontario recorded 2,575 police-reported hate crimes, an increase of 3.0% from 2023. The most common motivation was Race or ethnicity (1,190 incidents, 46% of total), with Jewish being the most targeted group (580 incidents). Religion-motivated crimes totalled 846 (33%).

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0066-01 — Police-reported hate crime

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

1,155↑26.1%vs 2023

Impaired driving incidents in Waterloo

(54.5 per 100k)

Impaired Driving Trend (1998–2024)

Click on chart to view breakdown for that year

By Type

1,155 incidents(+26.1%)

🍺Impaired by alcohol

795100%

🏥Causing bodily harm

00%

💨Failure to provide breath sample

00%

🩸Failure to provide blood sample

00%

💀Causing death

00%

1,068

Total Charged

1,059

Adults Charged

Youth Charged

Impaired driving rate:54.5 per 100,000

In 2024, Waterloo recorded 1,155 impaired driving incidents, an increase of 26.1% from 2023. The most common offence type was Impaired by alcohol (795 incidents, 100% of sub-types), followed by Causing bodily harm (0 incidents, 0%). The impaired driving rate was 54.5 per 100,000 population. A total of 1,068 persons were charged, including 1,059 adults and 9 youth.

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

🏘️

Socioeconomic Profile

Census 2021

587,165

Population

$81,000

Median Income

10.7%

Unemployment

65.0%

Homeownership

👥 Population

Median Age

9.7%

Growth (2016–2021)

💰 Income

$92,000

Median Household Income

$112,500

Average Household Income

9.3%

Low Income Prevalence (LIM-AT)

💼 Labour

66.5%

Participation Rate

59.4%

Employment Rate

10.7%

Unemployment Rate

🎓 Education (25–64)

No Certificate

78,015

High School

132,725

Postsecondary

267,400

Bachelor's+

136,735

🏠 Housing

$733,000

Avg. Dwelling Value

$1,350

Avg. Monthly Rent

$1,610

Avg. Mortgage Cost

🌍 Diversity

159,060

Visible Minorities

147,190

Immigrants

9,960

Indigenous Identity

According to the 2021 Census, Waterloo, Regional municipality (RM) had a population of 587,165 (+9.7% change from 2016) with a median age of 38.0. The median after-tax household income was $81,000, and the unemployment rate was 10.7%. Homeownership rate was 65.0% with an average dwelling value of $733,000.

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021

⚖️

Adult vs Youth Charged

2024

22,944

Adults Charged

+56.5% YoY

1,662

Youth Charged

+62.0% YoY

6.8%

Youth Share

24,606

Total Charged

Adult rate: 1327.5 per 100,000

Youth rate: 1228.4 per 100,000

2024

Adults: 22,944

Youth: 1,662

Adults (left axis) Youth (right axis)

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

Adult Δ (1998–2024)

+287.4%

Youth Δ (1998–2024)

-11.2%

In 2024, Waterloo recorded 22,944 adults charged and 1,662 youth charged across all Criminal Code violations. Youth accounted for 6.8% of all persons charged. Since 1998, youth charges have changed by -11.2%, while adult charges changed by +287.4%.

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

🚗Motor Vehicle Theft🟢 BELOW AVG

2024

4,113incidents

194 per 100,000 population

-60%

Since 1998

12.9%

Solved Rate

1999

Peak Year

3.6%

CSI Impact

Persons Charged201

👤 Adults: 153 (76%)🧑 Youth: 48 (24%)

+ 21 youth diverted (not charged)

Low solve rate for this crime type

How Cases Are Cleared

Cleared by Charge420 (79%)

Cleared Otherwise111 (21%)

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

Unfounded Reports

1.4%

of all reported MVT

vs National Average▼ 17% below

This Location194

National Avg232.5

Rate per 100KNational AvgPeak Year (1999)

Waterloo recorded 4,113 motor vehicle thefts in 2024 (194 per 100K), down from a peak rate of 625.4 in 1999. Only 12.9% 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

1,194

▲ 78.2% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

56.3

Breakdown

Possession of weapons

1,08084.7%

Pointing a firearm

876.8%

Discharge firearm

393.1%

Unsafe storage

362.8%

Weapons trafficking

332.6%

Firearms Act

00%

💊

Drug Offences

2024

Incidents

796

▲ 103.6% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

56.3

Breakdown

Cocaine trafficking

25850.9%

Other drug trafficking

24949.1%

Cannabis possession

00%

Cannabis trafficking

00%

🏠

Property Crime

2024

Incidents

68,721

▲ 49.6% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

3240.6

Breakdown

Theft under $5K

29,72459.6%

Mischief

8,82917.7%

Break & Enter

6,12312.3%

Motor vehicle theft

4,1138.2%

Theft over $5K

8161.6%

Arson

2310.5%

Shoplifting $5K+

540.1%

🔪

Violent Crime

2024

Incidents

30,375

▲ 56.4% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

1432.4

Breakdown

Assault Level 1

11,62254.9%

Assault Level 2

4,58421.7%

Criminal Harassment

1,7648.3%

Sexual Assault L1

1,6777.9%

Robbery

1,1735.5%

Uttering Threats

2461.2%

Assault Level 3

900.4%

💰

Fraud & Identity Crime

2024

Incidents

11,391

▲ 59.5% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

537.1

Breakdown

Identity Fraud

3,70869.8%

Identity Theft

1,60230.2%

🔞

Sexual Violence

2024

Content warning: This section contains data about sexual offences

Total Incidents

2,778

▲ 65.0% vs 2023

SA L1 Rate / 100K

79.1

Breakdown

Sexual Assault L1

1,67760.4%

Violations Against Children

75327.1%

Non-consensual Images

1746.3%

Voyeurism

1053.8%

Sexual Assault L2

632.3%

Sexual Assault L3

60.2%

🏚️

Breaking & Entering

2024

Incidents

6,123

▲ 29.3% vs 2023

Rate per 100K

288.7

Breakdown

Standard B&E

6,10899.9%

B&E to Steal Firearm

90.1%

🍺

Substance-Related Crime

2024

Total Incidents

1,951

▲ 49.3% vs 2023

Drug Rate / 100K

56.3

Breakdown

Impaired Driving

1,15559.2%

Drug Violations

79640.8%

Cannabis Trafficking

00%

Cannabis Possession

00%

Waterloo

Ontario, Canada

Population

121,436

Established

1857

Wikipedia

About Waterloo

Waterloo is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is one of three cities in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Waterloo is situated about 94 km (58 mi) west-southwest of Toronto, but it is not considered to be part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Due to the close proximity of the city of Kitchener to Waterloo, the two together are often referred to as "Kitchener–Waterloo", "K-W", or "The Twin Cities". Nearby Cambridge, Ontario is also sometimes grouped in, creating KWC or "Tri-cities".

Livability Score

89/100 Score

Cost of Living Index

121Very High

National Baseline = 100

Climate & Weather

Annual historical averages

July High

27.5°C

Jan Low

-11.5°C

Annual Rain

791 mm

Annual Snow

165 cm

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📰 Latest Crime News

LIVE

March 25, 2026

East York Homicide Investigation: Police Seek Suspect After Fatal Late‑Night Altercation

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March 25, 2026

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March 24, 2026

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March 24, 2026

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March 23, 2026

Project Stratis: Peel Police Disrupt Alleged Luxury Vehicle Carjacking Ring Linked Overseas

Project Stratis: Peel Police Disrupt Alleged Luxury Vehicle Carjacking Ring Linked Overseas Overview: What Authorities Say Happened Peel Reg…

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March 21, 2026

Non-Life-Threatening Stabbing Near Rexdale Renews Questions About Safety at Kipling and Dixon

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Nearby Areas

15 locations

References & Sources

Wikipedia

General information about Waterloo

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

587,165

Population

$81,000

Median Income

10.7%

Unemployment

65.0%

Homeownership

👥 Population

Median Age

9.7%

Growth (2016–2021)

💰 Income

$92,000

Median Household Income

$112,500

Average Household Income

9.3%

Low Income Prevalence (LIM-AT)

💼 Labour

66.5%

Participation Rate

59.4%

Employment Rate

10.7%

Unemployment Rate

🎓 Education (25–64)

No Certificate

78,015

High School

132,725

Postsecondary

267,400

Bachelor's+

136,735

🏠 Housing

$733,000

Avg. Dwelling Value

$1,350

Avg. Monthly Rent

$1,610

Avg. Mortgage Cost

🌍 Diversity

159,060

Visible Minorities

147,190

Immigrants

9,960

Indigenous Identity

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021

Waterloo Safety Score

Police Reported Crime Data

39,219

32.3%

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

Hate Crimes

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

Waterloo

About Waterloo

Climate & Weather

📰 Latest Crime News

East York Homicide Investigation: Police Seek Suspect After Fatal Late‑Night Altercation

Oakville Home Invasion Probe Uncovers Guns and Major Fentanyl Seizure: Community Safety Brief

Peel Fraud Probe Highlights Risks for Temporary Residents in Brampton

Aurora Daytime Sexual Assaults: Community Safety Brief After Yonge and Wellington Arrest

Project Stratis: Peel Police Disrupt Alleged Luxury Vehicle Carjacking Ring Linked Overseas

Non-Life-Threatening Stabbing Near Rexdale Renews Questions About Safety at Kipling and Dixon

Nearby Areas

Woolwich

Kitchener

Kitchener - Cambridge - Waterloo

Wilmot

Cambridge

Wellesley

North Dumfries

Guelph

Guelph/Eramosa

References & Sources

📰 Latest Crime News

East York Homicide Investigation: Police Seek Suspect After Fatal Late‑Night Altercation

Oakville Home Invasion Probe Uncovers Guns and Major Fentanyl Seizure: Community Safety Brief

Peel Fraud Probe Highlights Risks for Temporary Residents in Brampton

Aurora Daytime Sexual Assaults: Community Safety Brief After Yonge and Wellington Arrest

Project Stratis: Peel Police Disrupt Alleged Luxury Vehicle Carjacking Ring Linked Overseas

Non-Life-Threatening Stabbing Near Rexdale Renews Questions About Safety at Kipling and Dixon

Crime & Safety Overview

Safety Score2024

Year-over-Year

CSI Trend

Crime Breakdown2024

Crime Breakdown

Comparison

Police & Justice

Clearance Rate2024

Hate Crimes

Homicides

Impaired Driving

Socioeconomic Profile

👥 Population

💰 Income

💼 Labour