For those embarking on the journey of purchasing property in Toronto, the significance of safety cannot be overstated. As the real estate market offers various options across the city’s diverse neighbourhoods, ensuring a secure living environment is a top priority. This guide aims to assist prospective buyers in their quest for the perfect home by shedding light on Toronto’s safest neighbourhoods. By delving into the factors contributing to their reputation for safety, this exploration equips property seekers with valuable insights, helping them make informed decisions that align with their desire for comfort and security in their new Toronto residence.
On March 30, 2023, the Toronto Police Service unveiled the most recent crime rate data from 2014 to 2022 for various neighbourhoods. This comprehensive report encompassed a range of offences, such as Assault, Auto Theft, Break-ins, Robbery, Theft Over, Homicide, Shootings, Bike Thefts, and Theft from Motor Vehicles. Our focus will be on identifying the neighbourhoods with the lowest crime rates in 2022.
Top 10 Safest Neighborhoods by Crime Count
| Neighbourhoods | Counts |
|---|---|
| Guildwood | 86 |
| Bayview Woods-Steeles | 94 |
| Bendale South | 95 |
| Caledonia-Fairbank | 117 |
| Avondale | 118 |
| Lambton Baby Point | 119 |
| Beechborough-Greenbrook | 120 |
| Pleasant View | 121 |
| Centennial Scarborough | 124 |
| Woodbine-Lumsden | 126 |
Top 10 Neighborhoods with Lowest Crime Rates per Population
| Neighbourhoods | 1 offence for every ?? residences |
|---|---|
| Steeles | 171 |
| Bayview Woods-Steeles | 144 |
| Pleasant View | 138 |
| Agincourt North | 136 |
| Avondale | 134 |
| L’Amoreaux West | 121 |
| Guildwood | 120 |
| Centennial Scarborough | 117 |
| Hillcrest Village | 117 |
| Englemount-Lawrence | 116 |
Based on the information presented in the tables above, we observe that the three neighborhoods with the lowest crime counts are Guildwood, Bayview Woods-Steeles, and Bendale South. However, when factoring in the population of each neighborhood, the revised top three safest neighborhoods are Steeles, Bayview Woods-Steeles, and Pleasant View.
Upon examining individual types of offences, it becomes evident that each category may feature distinct neighbourhoods among the top ten with the lowest recorded offences.
Neighborhoods with Fewest 'Break and Enter' Incidents
Top 10 Safest Neighborhoods by Crime Count
| Neighbourhoods | Counts |
|---|---|
| Guildwood | 6 |
| Caledonia-Fairbank | 6 |
| Woodbine-Lumsden | 6 |
| Avondale | 8 |
| Bendale South | 8 |
| Malvern West | 8 |
| Elms-Old Rexdale | 9 |
| Bayview Woods-Steeles | 10 |
| Humber Heights-Westmount | 10 |
| Rustic | 10 |
Top 10 Neighborhoods with Lowest Crime Rates per Population
| Neighbourhoods | 1 offence for every ?? residences |
|---|---|
| Malvern West | 2402 |
| Fenside-Parkwoods | 2047 |
| Avondale | 1975 |
| Caledonia-Fairbank | 1749 |
| Malvern East | 1739 |
| Guildwood | 1713 |
| Morningside | 1667 |
| Kingsview Village-The Westway | 1626 |
| Englemount-Lawrence | 1604 |
| L’Amoreaux West | 1411 |
Neighborhoods with Fewest 'Assault' Incidents
Top 10 Safest Neighborhoods by Crime Count
| Neighbourhoods | Counts |
|---|---|
| Kingsway South | 21 |
| Princess-Rosethorn | 27 |
| Edenbridge-Humber Valley | 31 |
| Lawrence Park South | 31 |
| Humber Heights-Westmount | 32 |
| Pleasant View | 32 |
| Lawrence Park North | 32 |
| Forest Hill South | 33 |
| Leaside-Bennington | 33 |
| Markland Wood | 34 |
Top 10 Neighborhoods with Lowest Crime Rates per Population
| Neighbourhoods | 1 offence for every ?? residences |
|---|---|
| Bedford Park-Nortown | 599 |
| Steeles | 579 |
| Edenbridge-Humber Valley | 547 |
| Leaside-Bennington | 546 |
| Lawrence Park South | 534 |
| Pleasant View | 519 |
| Lawrence Park North | 484 |
| Kingsway South | 480 |
| Princess-Rosethorn | 456 |
| Hillcrest Village | 436 |
Neighborhoods with Fewest 'Robbery' Incidents
Top 10 Safest Neighborhoods by Crime Count
| Neighbourhoods | Counts |
|---|---|
| Centennial Scarborough | 0 |
| Forest Hill South | 0 |
| Lambton Baby Point | 1 |
| Princess-Rosethorn | 2 |
| Bayview Woods-Steeles | 2 |
| Highland Creek | 2 |
| Broadview North | 2 |
| Beechborough-Greenbrook | 2 |
| Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills | 3 |
| Willowdale West | 3 |
Top 10 Neighborhoods with Lowest Crime Rates per Population
| Neighbourhoods | 1 offence for every ?? residences |
|---|---|
| Centennial Scarborough | # |
| Forest Hill South | # |
| Lambton Baby Point | 8277 |
| Highland Creek | 6829 |
| Bayview Woods-Steeles | 6763 |
| Willowdale West | 6408 |
| Princess-Rosethorn | 6154 |
| Broadview North | 6077 |
| Englemount-Lawrence | 4811 |
| Leaside-Bennington | 4505 |
Why should we live in a safe neighbourhood?
Choosing a safe neighbourhood goes beyond personal safety. Families prioritize it for their children’s well-being, peace of mind prevails, property values increase, and a strong sense of community emerges. Mental and physical health improve, enhancing the quality of life, reducing stress, and potential cost savings.
- Family Well-Being: Safe neighbourhoods provide a secure environment for children to play and engage in community activities, giving families peace of mind.
- Peace of Mind: Living in a safe area reduces worries about personal safety, allowing residents to focus on their daily lives without constant fear.
- Property Value: Safe neighbourhoods attract buyers and lead to higher property values due to their low crime rates and reputation for security.
- Community Spirit: Safety fosters a strong sense of community, encouraging residents to participate in local events and activities and creating a close-knit neighbourhood.
- Health Benefits: Secure environments contribute to improved mental and physical health, encouraging outdoor activities and social interactions.
- Quality of Life: Safe neighbourhoods enable residents to enjoy local amenities and businesses without fear, leading to a higher quality of life overall.
- Stress Reduction: Reduced concerns about crime and personal safety result in lower stress levels among residents.
- Stability: Safe neighbourhoods offer stability, making them attractive to those looking to settle and build a life.
- Cost Savings: Secure neighbourhoods may lead to lower insurance costs and reduced security expenses for residents.
