Frequently Asked Questions
Where does PlainCrime's data come from?
All crime data comes from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, specifically Table 8 (city-level data), Table 10 (county-level data), and the FBI Crime Data Explorer API for state trends. This is the same data used by researchers, journalists, and government agencies nationwide.
How are crime rates calculated?
Crime rates are expressed per 100,000 population. The formula is: (Number of Offenses ÷ Population) × 100,000. This allows fair comparison between jurisdictions of different sizes. Population figures come from FBI-reported populations for each jurisdiction.
My city isn't listed or shows no data. Why?
FBI UCR reporting is voluntary. If a law enforcement agency did not submit data for a given year, that jurisdiction won't appear in the UCR tables. Absence from PlainCrime does not mean zero crime, it means the agency did not participate in that year's reporting cycle.
What is a 'safety grade' and how is it determined?
Safety grades (A through F) are a transparent derived index, not an official rating: each jurisdiction's violent and property crime rate is compared as a ratio against the current national UCR average, then combined into one 0-100 score weighted 70% violent crime and 30% property crime. The same formula applies to every city, county, and state regardless of population. An A-grade jurisdiction has significantly lower crime rates than the national average; an F-grade jurisdiction has significantly higher rates. Grades are relative comparisons, not absolute safety ratings. See the full formula on our methodology page.
Can I rely solely on PlainCrime data to decide where to live?
Crime statistics provide useful context but should not be your only factor. Reporting differences, local definitions, and neighborhood-level variation all affect what the numbers mean. We recommend using PlainCrime alongside local research, neighborhood visits, and community resources.
How current is the crime data?
PlainCrime uses the most recently available FBI UCR annual release. The FBI typically publishes crime statistics about 1 year after the reporting period ends. Our data covers 8,986 U.S. jurisdictions based on the latest available UCR tables.
Is PlainCrime affiliated with the FBI?
No. PlainCrime is an independent data portal built by PlainCrime. We present publicly available FBI UCR data in a searchable format but are not affiliated with the FBI, Department of Justice, or any law enforcement agency.