US home safety perception diverges from declining crime rates

A survey conducted by Tri-State Gate in August 2026 reveals a disconnect between declining crime statistics and the personal sense of security among Americans. While nearly 70% of respondents believe crime in their neighborhoods has not worsened, only 28% report feeling genuinely safe inside their own homes.

Federal data supports the decline in criminal activity, with FBI preliminary 2025 figures showing property crime fell by approximately 12.4% in a single year. Additionally, the U.S. burglary rate has reached its lowest point since federal tracking began. Despite this, 72% of Americans do not feel fully safe in their homes, with 64% describing themselves as “mostly safe, but I stay alert.”

The most prominent fear among respondents is a break-in occurring while the family is present, a concern shared by 30% of those surveyed. However, data indicates that the actual frequency of such events remains low, with fewer than 1 in 10 households reporting a break-in or attempted break-in over the last two years.