Sherbrooke is one of the safest metro areas in Canada on the official measures: the Sherbrooke census metropolitan area’s Crime Severity Index fell 7% to 50.3 in 2025, the third-lowest of Canada’s 41 metro areas and about 33% below the national 75.0, according to Statistics Canada. Its crime rate of 3,134 police-reported incidents per 100,000 people was the second-lowest in the country.
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, ratios and percentage gaps are our own calculation. Police services checked on the City of Sherbrooke website on 12 October 2026. Updated 12 October 2026.
Key facts
- The Sherbrooke CMA had a Crime Severity Index of 50.3 in 2025, down 7% from 54.1 in 2024 (Statistics Canada, released 22 July 2026).
- Sherbrooke had the third-lowest Crime Severity Index of Canada’s 41 metro areas in 2025, after Barrie (46.9) and Saguenay (49.3) (our calculation from Statistics Canada data).
- Sherbrooke’s crime rate was 3,134 incidents per 100,000 people in 2025, down 5% and about 44% below the national 5,585 (our calculation).
- Sherbrooke’s break-in rate was 131 per 100,000 in 2025, about half the national rate of 262 (our calculation).
- Sherbrooke’s car-theft rate was 61 per 100,000 in 2025, about 70% below the national 201 (our calculation).
Is Sherbrooke safe?
Sherbrooke is safer than both the Canadian and Quebec averages: its 2025 Crime Severity Index of 50.3 was about 33% below the national 75.0 and about 18% below Quebec’s 61.6, according to Statistics Canada (ratios are our calculation). Sherbrooke’s crime rate of 3,134 per 100,000 was about 44% below Canada’s 5,585 and about 15% below Quebec’s 3,673.
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 Sherbrooke census metropolitan area (CMA) covers the City of Sherbrooke and surrounding municipalities in the Eastern Townships, not only the city itself. Our Crime Severity Index explainer covers the method.
| Measure (2025) | Sherbrooke CMA | Quebec | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Severity Index | 50.3 | 61.6 | 75.0 |
| CSI change 2024–25 | −7% | −5% | −5% |
| Crime rate per 100,000 | 3,134 | 3,673 | 5,585 |
| Crime rate change 2024–25 | −5% | −4% | −2% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01 and The Daily, 22 July 2026.
Sherbrooke’s crime severity and crime rate both fell faster than the provincial and national figures in 2025.
What is the crime rate in Sherbrooke?
The Sherbrooke CMA recorded 7,067 Criminal Code incidents in 2025, a crime rate of 3,134 per 100,000 people, according to Statistics Canada. That was down 5% from 2024.
| Offence (Sherbrooke CMA, 2025) | Incidents | Rate per 100,000 | Canada rate per 100,000 | Quebec rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Criminal Code (excl. traffic) | 7,067 | 3,134 | 5,585 | 3,673 |
| Violent crime | 2,307 | 1,023 | 1,443 | – |
| Break and enter | 296 | 131 | 262 | 205 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 137 | 61 | 201 | 153 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0177-01 (2025). A dash means the figure is not in our data.
- Violent crime is below average. Sherbrooke’s rate of 1,023 per 100,000 was about 29% below the national 1,443 and below Québec City (1,312) and Montréal (1,277) (our calculation). See violent crime in Canada by city.
- Break-ins are about half the national rate. At 131 per 100,000, Sherbrooke’s rate was about 50% below Canada’s 262 and about 36% below Quebec’s 205 (our calculation). See break-ins in Canada.
- Car theft is rare. Sherbrooke’s rate of 61 per 100,000 was about 70% below the national 201 and about 60% below the Quebec rate of 153 (our calculation). See car theft in Canada.
Is crime in Sherbrooke going up?
Crime severity in Sherbrooke fell in 2025 and is almost exactly where it was a decade ago: the Sherbrooke CMA’s Crime Severity Index was 50.2 in 2015 and 50.3 in 2025, according to Statistics Canada. Over the same period, Canada’s index rose about 7%, from 70.4 to 75.0 (our calculation).
| Year | Sherbrooke CSI | Canada CSI |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 50.2 | 70.4 |
| 2017 | 52.4 | 73.6 |
| 2019 (low) | 46.9 | 79.7 |
| 2021 | 51.0 | 74.9 |
| 2023 | 52.6 | 81.3 |
| 2024 (high) | 54.1 | 78.8 |
| 2025 | 50.3 | 75.0 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01.
Sherbrooke’s index stayed in a narrow band between 46.9 and 54.1 in every year from 2015 to 2025, and it was more than 20 points below the national CSI in each of those years (our calculation). That stability is unusual: Statistics Canada notes that smaller metro areas often swing more from year to year.
How does Sherbrooke compare with other Quebec cities?
Sherbrooke had the second-lowest Crime Severity Index and the second-lowest crime rate of Quebec’s seven metro areas in 2025, after Saguenay, according to Statistics Canada (ranking is our calculation).
| Quebec metro area (CMA) | CSI 2025 | CSI change 2024–25 | Crime rate per 100,000 (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drummondville | 72.3 | +4% | 4,084 |
| Montréal | 61.3 | −5% | 3,641 |
| Gatineau | 60.6 | −2% | 3,700 |
| Trois-Rivières | 56.0 | −10% | 3,417 |
| Québec | 55.0 | −1% | 3,493 |
| Sherbrooke | 50.3 | −7% | 3,134 |
| Saguenay | 49.3 | −13% | 2,973 |
Source: Statistics Canada (2025).
For the full provincial picture, see safest cities in Quebec and most dangerous cities in Quebec. City guides: Quebec City crime rate, is Montréal safe? and is Gatineau safe? Provincial figures are in crime rate by province.
How does Sherbrooke rank in Canada?
Sherbrooke had the third-lowest Crime Severity Index and the second-lowest crime rate of Canada’s 41 metro areas in 2025, according to Statistics Canada (our calculation). Only Barrie (46.9) and Saguenay (49.3) had a lower index, and only Saguenay (2,973) had a lower crime rate. Ottawa (50.6) was just behind. See our safest cities in Canada ranking and the full crime rate in Canada by city table.
How do I stay safe and report crime in Sherbrooke?
- Emergencies. Call 911 for any crime in progress or any threat to safety.
- Use the neutral zone for online sales. The Service de police de Sherbrooke (SPS) has run a free neutral meeting zone since 2019: marked parking spaces in front of police headquarters on Maurice-Houle Street, under camera surveillance 24 hours a day, for exchanging goods or for custody exchanges.
- Ask the police a question. The City of Sherbrooke says residents can contact the SPS directly through Messenger for non-urgent questions.
- Compare areas. The Canada Crime Map gathers official figures by city, and our guide on how to check crime in your neighbourhood explains the limits of the data. See also how to report a crime in Canada.
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Sherbrooke crime FAQ
What is the crime rate in Sherbrooke?
The Sherbrooke CMA’s crime rate was 3,134 police-reported incidents per 100,000 people in 2025, down 5% from 2024 and the second-lowest of Canada’s 41 metro areas, according to Statistics Canada.
Is Sherbrooke safer than Quebec City?
Yes, on the official measures. Sherbrooke’s 2025 Crime Severity Index was 50.3 against Québec’s 55.0, and its crime rate was 3,134 per 100,000 against 3,493.
Is crime in Sherbrooke going up?
No. Sherbrooke’s Crime Severity Index fell 7% to 50.3 in 2025, almost the same as its 2015 level of 50.2.
Is Sherbrooke safe for students?
Sherbrooke’s crime rate of 3,134 per 100,000 in 2025 was about 44% below the national average, according to Statistics Canada. Ordinary precautions at night and with bikes and belongings still apply.
Is Sherbrooke one of the safest cities in Canada?
Yes. Sherbrooke had the third-lowest Crime Severity Index of Canada’s 41 metro areas in 2025, after Barrie and Saguenay (our calculation from Statistics Canada data).
Related: safest cities in Quebec · is Quebec City safe? · is Montréal safe? · safest cities in Canada · crime rate in Canada by city · Canada Crime Map. In an emergency call 911.