When we first moved to Melbourne, figuring out where to live was one of our biggest challenges. As a family with young kids, we wanted to make sure we picked a safe suburb. That's when we stumbled upon the RedSuburbs Crime Map, and honestly, it made a world of difference. Let me walk you through how we used it and how you can too.
How to Use RedSuburbs Crime Map
- Visit the Website: Go to RedSuburbs Crime Map.
- Search Your Suburb: On the left-hand side, there’s a search bar. Type in the suburb you’re interested in. For example, let’s say you want to know about Melbourne—just type “Melbourne” and hit enter.
- Get the Data: You’ll get a detailed breakdown of crime stats for that area. It looks something like this for Melbourne:
- Crime Rank: 57/100 (higher rank means more crime)
- Population: 54,941
- Total Crimes: 15,567
- Crimes per 1,000 people: 283.34
- Violent Crimes: 2,016
- Property Crimes: 7,720
Understanding What the Data Means
RedSuburbs breaks down crime data into useful chunks, making it easy to understand:
- Crime Rank: This is a comparison of crime rates across suburbs, with 100 being the highest crime rate and 0 the lowest. Melbourne is ranked 57/100, meaning it's in the higher crime category.
- Crimes per 1,000 people: For Melbourne, it's 283.34 per 1,000 people. That number might look scary at first, but it helps you understand how often crime happens compared to the population. This rate is higher than in many nearby suburbs, which might give you pause if safety is a top concern.
- Violent Crimes: These include serious crimes like assault, robbery, or homicide. In Melbourne, there were 2,016 violent crimes reported in 2023. But more helpful is the violent crime per 1,000 people figure, which is 36.69. It means about 37 out of every 1,000 people could be affected by violent crime.
- Property Crimes: This includes burglary, car theft, arson, and other non-violent crimes. Melbourne saw 7,720 property crimes in 2023, and the rate per 1,000 people is 140.51. So, if you live here, your chances of having your property affected by crime are a bit higher than in other areas.
- Crime Trends and Types: RedSuburbs also shows which crimes are most common. In Melbourne, for example, the top three are:
- Theft: 5,839 cases in 2023
- Breaches of orders: 2,215 cases
- Assault: 1,826 cases
This gives you a clearer idea of what issues the suburb is dealing with. It’s not just general “crime”—you know exactly what types of crime are most common.
How to Utilize This Information
For us, having this information helped in a few key ways:
- Comparing Suburbs: When deciding between suburbs, we compared crime ranks and the types of crimes in each. It wasn’t just about picking a place with a low overall crime rate, but also understanding if those crimes were things we could live with (like more property crime, fewer violent crimes).
- Safety Planning: We didn’t just use the data to pick a suburb—we used it to prepare. For example, knowing that theft was high in Melbourne, we made sure to get a place with solid home security. It also helped us feel more aware when out and about.
- Long-Term Considerations: We were also thinking about the future—like if we’re going to stay here for a while or move somewhere else when our kids go to secondary school. Understanding the crime trends helped us plan a bit more strategically.
What the Data Means for a Family
If you’re like us, a family that isn’t wealthy but values safety, this tool is fantastic. It gives you a realistic view of an area. The crime rate in Melbourne might seem high at first glance, but when you break it down, you can start to make better decisions. Are property crimes more concerning to you than violent ones? Are you willing to trade a higher crime rank for a more affordable area?
For us, RedSuburbs Crime Map allowed us to stop guessing. It gave us a sense of control in an area that can often feel overwhelming. We weren’t just relying on advice from others or vague impressions—we had actual data that spoke to us, as a family who wants to live in a safe, happy environment.
If you're house-hunting or just curious about your current area, I highly recommend giving it a try. It's straightforward, free, and provides insightful data that can help you make an informed decision. Peace of mind is everything when you’re trying to find a place to call home!