Kingston, Ontario is safer than the Canadian average on the official measures: the Kingston metro area’s Crime Severity Index was 61.5 in 2025, up 1% from 2024 but about 18% below the national 75.0, according to Statistics Canada. Its crime rate was 5,005 police-reported incidents per 100,000 people, about 10% below Canada’s 5,585 but above the Ontario average.
Data: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime statistics for 2025 (released 22 July 2026), Crime Severity Index by census metropolitan area (Table 35-10-0026-01) and incidents by violation (Table 35-10-0177-01). Rankings and ratios are our own calculation. Police map details checked on the Kingston Police website on 12 October 2026. Updated 12 October 2026.
Key facts
- The Kingston CMA had a Crime Severity Index of 61.5 in 2025, up 1% from 61.0 in 2024 (Statistics Canada, released 22 July 2026).
- Kingston’s crime rate was 5,005 incidents per 100,000 people in 2025, up 2%, about 10% below the national 5,585 and 17% above Ontario’s 4,296 (our calculation).
- Kingston’s CSI was 18% below its 2022 peak of 74.5 (our calculation from Statistics Canada data).
- Kingston recorded 2,000 violent incidents in 2025, a rate of 1,048 per 100,000, about 27% below the national 1,443 (our calculation).
- Kingston’s car theft rate was 117 per 100,000 in 2025, about 42% below the national 201 (our calculation).
Is Kingston safe?
Kingston is safer than the average Canadian metro area on the official measures: its 2025 Crime Severity Index of 61.5 was about 18% below the national 75.0, and its violent crime rate was about 27% below the national rate, according to Statistics Canada (ratios are our calculation). Within Ontario, Kingston sits in the middle: its severity index was about 8% above the provincial 57.2.
The Crime Severity Index (CSI) is a Statistics Canada measure that weights each police-reported offence by its seriousness, with Canada in 2006 set at 100. The crime rate counts Criminal Code incidents (excluding traffic) per 100,000 people. The Kingston census metropolitan area (CMA) covers the City of Kingston and surrounding municipalities, not only the city itself. Our Crime Severity Index explainer covers the method.
| Measure (2025) | Kingston CMA | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Severity Index | 61.5 | 57.2 | 75.0 |
| CSI change 2024–25 | +1% | −6% | −5% |
| Crime rate per 100,000 | 5,005 | 4,296 | 5,585 |
| Crime rate change 2024–25 | +2% | −4% | −2% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01 and The Daily, 22 July 2026.
Kingston was one of only five Ontario metro areas whose severity index rose in 2025, while the province as a whole fell 6%.
What is the crime rate in Kingston?
The Kingston CMA recorded 9,553 Criminal Code incidents in 2025, a crime rate of 5,005 per 100,000 people, according to Statistics Canada. That was up 2% from 2024.
| Offence (Kingston CMA, 2025) | Incidents | Rate per 100,000 | Canada rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Criminal Code (excl. traffic) | 9,553 | 5,005 | 5,585 |
| Violent crime | 2,000 | 1,048 | 1,443 |
| Break and enter | 460 | 241 | 262 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 223 | 117 | 201 |
| Homicide (victims) | 4 | 2.10 | 1.61 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01 (2025). Homicide is victims per 100,000.
- Violent crime is below average. Kingston’s rate of 1,048 per 100,000 was about 27% below the national 1,443 (our calculation).
- Break-ins were 8% below the national rate, at 241 per 100,000 against 262 (our calculation). See break-ins in Canada.
- Car theft is low. At 117 per 100,000, Kingston’s rate was about 42% below Canada’s 201 and well below Ontario’s 187 (our calculation). See car theft in Canada.
- Homicide counts are small. Four victims gave a rate of 2.10 per 100,000; with numbers this small, one case moves the rate sharply. See homicide rate in Canada by city.
Is crime in Kingston going down?
Crime severity in Kingston is lower than a few years ago: the Kingston CMA’s Crime Severity Index fell from a peak of 74.5 in 2022 to 61.0 in 2024 and was nearly flat at 61.5 in 2025, according to Statistics Canada. The 2025 value is about 18% below the 2022 peak but about 7% above 2015 (our calculation).
| Year | Kingston CSI | Canada CSI |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 57.7 | 70.4 |
| 2017 | 62.0 | 73.6 |
| 2018 | 69.7 | 75.6 |
| 2019 | 67.5 | 79.7 |
| 2020 | 69.6 | 73.9 |
| 2021 | 69.2 | 74.9 |
| 2022 (peak) | 74.5 | 78.7 |
| 2023 | 72.0 | 81.3 |
| 2024 | 61.0 | 78.8 |
| 2025 | 61.5 | 75.0 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01.
Kingston’s index has stayed below the national CSI in every year since 2015. Statistics Canada cautions that smaller metro areas can swing more from year to year and that the CSI is not a universal indicator of safety.
How does Kingston compare with other Ontario cities?
Kingston had the seventh-highest Crime Severity Index of Ontario’s 15 metro areas in 2025, at 61.5, and the sixth-highest crime rate, according to Statistics Canada (rankings are our calculation). Its severity index was above Ottawa (50.6) and Toronto (55.0) but below Belleville–Quinte West (63.1) and London (66.0).
| Ontario metro area (CMA) | CSI 2025 | Crime rate per 100,000 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| London | 66.0 | 5,059 |
| Greater Sudbury | 64.9 | 4,706 |
| Belleville–Quinte West | 63.1 | 4,920 |
| Kingston | 61.5 | 5,005 |
| Peterborough | 57.3 | 5,385 |
| Toronto | 55.0 | 3,950 |
| Ottawa | 50.6 | 4,212 |
| Barrie | 46.9 | 3,777 |
Source: Statistics Canada (2025). Selected Ontario metro areas.
For nearby comparisons, see is Ottawa safe?, London, Ontario crime rate and Barrie crime rate. The provincial rankings are in safest cities in Ontario and most dangerous cities in Ontario.
How does Kingston rank in Canada?
Kingston had the 15th-lowest Crime Severity Index of Canada’s 41 metro areas in 2025, according to Statistics Canada (our calculation), close to Calgary (61.7) and Montréal (61.3). The full list is in our crime rate in Canada by city table.
How do I check crime near an address in Kingston?
- Emergencies. Call 911 for any crime in progress or any threat to safety.
- Use the police crime map. Kingston Police publish an interactive crime map of calls for service, plotted on 100-block areas. The police note that the map is approximate, is not official crime statistics and should not be used on its own to judge an area’s safety.
- Report minor crimes online. Some non-emergency incidents can be reported through Kingston Police online reporting.
- Compare with the province. Our Ontario crime map links every police map in the province, and the Canada Crime Map gathers official figures by city. Our guide on how to check crime in your neighbourhood explains the limits of the data.
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Kingston crime FAQ
What is the crime rate in Kingston, Ontario?
The Kingston CMA’s crime rate was 5,005 police-reported incidents per 100,000 people in 2025, up 2% from 2024, according to Statistics Canada.
Is Kingston safer than Ottawa?
No, not on the official measures. The Ottawa CMA’s 2025 Crime Severity Index was 50.6, lower than Kingston’s 61.5, and its crime rate was 4,212 per 100,000 against 5,005.
Is crime in Kingston going up?
Slightly in 2025. Kingston’s CSI rose 1% to 61.5, but it remains about 18% below its 2022 peak of 74.5 (our calculation).
Is Kingston safe for students?
Kingston’s violent crime rate of 1,048 per 100,000 in 2025 was about 27% below the national rate, according to Statistics Canada (our calculation). Ordinary precautions at night and with bikes and belongings still apply.
Does Kingston have a crime map?
Yes. Kingston Police publish an interactive crime map of calls for service by 100-block area, which they describe as approximate and not official statistics.
Related: most dangerous cities in Ontario · is Ottawa safe? · is Sudbury safe? · Ontario crime map · crime rate by province · Canada Crime Map · campus safe walk programs in Canada. In an emergency call 911.