Duluth, Georgia Crime Statistics 2026: What the Data Says About Safety in Gwinnett County's Most Diverse City

Duluth, Georgia sits in the heart of Gwinnett County — a jurisdiction of more than one million residents where local policing, federal immigration enforcement, and statewide crime trends converge. But Duluth itself is a city of just over 34,000 people, and its crime picture looks very different from the county-wide statistics that often dominate headlines.

For residents of Duluth, the question is not whether crime exists — every city has crime. The question is whether crime is getting better or worse in 2026, what the Duluth Police Department is doing about it, and what the data actually says about safety in one of Gwinnett County's most diverse communities.

The data, drawn from the Duluth Police Department's own activity reports, Niche.com's annual crime analysis, OpenCrime.us, DoorProfit's crime mapping, the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, and the Gwinnett County Police Department, tells a story of a small city that remains notably safe even as it grapples with the challenges of growth, diversity, and proximity to a major metropolitan area.

The Headline: Duluth Remains One of Gwinnett's Safer Cities

Duluth earns a crime and safety grade of B from Niche.com, which calculates annual violent and property crime rates per 100,000 residents. That grade places Duluth above the national average for safety and in line with or better than peer cities in Gwinnett County.

Here is what the crime rate data shows:

Violent crime per 100,000 residents (Niche.com):

• Assault: 141.5 (national average: 282.7) — Duluth's assault rate is roughly half the national average
• Murder: 0 (national average: 6.1) — Duluth recorded zero murders in the most recent reporting period
• Rape: 18.5 (national average: 40.7) — less than half the national average
• Robbery: 9.2 (national average: 135.5) — Duluth's robbery rate is a fraction of the national rate

Property crime per 100,000 residents (Niche.com):

• Burglary: 67.7 (national average: 500.1) — Duluth's burglary rate is roughly one-seventh the national average
• Theft: 1,067.3 (national average: 2,042.8) — about half the national rate
• Motor vehicle theft: 58.4 (national average: 284) — roughly one-fifth the national rate

OpenCrime.us gives Duluth a safety grade of A, with a violent crime rate of 169.2 per 100,000 residents — compared to a national average of 359.1. That means Duluth's violent crime rate is less than half the national average. DoorProfit's crime mapping analysis reports that crime in Duluth is 32% below the national average and that the city is safer than 66% of U.S. cities, with a violent crime risk of 1 in 426 per year (38% lower than the national average).

These numbers are not abstractions. For a city of 34,167 residents (World Population Review, 2026), a violent crime rate of 169.2 per 100,000 translates to approximately 58 violent crime incidents per year — or roughly one per week. By comparison, the national average would predict more than 120 violent crimes per year in a city of Duluth's size.

2026 in Real Time: What the Duluth Police Department Has Been Doing

The Duluth Police Department does not just rely on annual statistics — it publishes monthly activity reports that show exactly what officers are doing on the ground. Here is what the 2026 data reveals so far:

March 2026. The Duluth Police Department handled a total of 7,176 calls for service in March — a 2.5% increase from March of the previous year. That increase reflects both population growth and the department's commitment to proactive patrolling. Calls for service include everything from traffic stops and alarm responses to domestic disputes, theft reports, and welfare checks.

July 2026. The department reported 1,240 calls for service, 72 arrests, 51 incident reports, 23 assists to other agencies, and 26 animal calls. These figures represent a typical month of activity for a city of Duluth's size — and they show a department that is actively engaged with the community rather than simply reacting to crime after it occurs.

The department also publishes Top 10 Calls for Service reports, which in April 2026 included traffic stops, alarm calls, and other routine enforcement activities. These reports give residents transparency into what keeps officers busy — and the answer is overwhelmingly traffic enforcement, property-related calls, and community assistance rather than violent crime.

Notable 2026 Incidents: The Cases That Made Headlines

While Duluth's overall crime rate is low, the city has not been immune to serious incidents in 2026. Here are the cases that have shaped the public safety conversation this year:

Human trafficking arrest (February 25, 2026). Gwinnett County Police arrested Changze Li, a 28-year-old Buford man, on human trafficking charges following a robbery investigation that originated at an apartment complex on the 2000 block of Satellite Pointe in Duluth. On January 20, officers responded to a reported robbery at the apartment. Li initially claimed he was the victim of a burglary. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered evidence of a human trafficking operation — a woman was being sold for sex at the apartment. Li was arrested and placed in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond. This case illustrates how a routine robbery call can unravel into something far more serious, and it highlights the role of vigilant police work in identifying and dismantling trafficking networks.

Attempted home invasion (April 3, 2026). Gwinnett County Police detectives identified a suspect who was caught on camera holding a gun and attempting to kick in an apartment door. The suspect was charged after the surveillance footage was released. This incident, while alarming, ended without injury — and the quick identification of the suspect demonstrates the value of community surveillance cameras and proactive detective work.

Workplace shooting (March 20, 2026). Officers from the Gwinnett County Police Central Precinct responded to a workplace in Gwinnett where a victim had been shot in the shoulder by a colleague during a dispute. The suspect was tracked down and taken into custody. This was an isolated incident tied to a workplace conflict, not a random act of violence — but it underscores that even in safe communities, workplace disputes can escalate.

Texas fugitive arrested at Abbotts Bridge Park (July 23, 2026). Duluth police officers arrested a 22-year-old man wanted on a probation violation warrant out of Texas after finding him parked in a car at Abbotts Bridge Park just after midnight. The park was closed at the time, which raised officers' suspicion. When they approached the vehicle and discovered the warrant, the suspect resisted and ran from officers — until one officer used a Taser to apprehend him. The man now faces obstruction charges in Duluth in addition to the Texas charges. This case shows how Duluth officers' attention to detail — noticing a car in a closed park — can lead to the apprehension of a fugitive from another state.

DUI arrest of former Forest Park official (May 2026). Forest Park's former public works director was arrested for DUI in Gwinnett County after allegedly causing an accident in Duluth. This incident, while involving a public official from another jurisdiction, occurred on Duluth roads and was handled by local law enforcement.

Traffic Enforcement: Proactive Policing on Duluth's Roads

One of the Duluth Police Department's most visible enforcement activities in 2026 has been traffic operations. In a recent enforcement operation, officers made 34 traffic stops, issued 35 citations, gave 9 warnings, and made 4 arrests. The operation targeted violations including speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic infractions.

This focus on traffic enforcement is not random. Traffic stops are one of the most effective tools police have for preventing serious crime. When officers pull over a driver for speeding or a broken taillight, they often uncover more serious issues — suspended licenses, outstanding warrants, illegal weapons, drugs, or evidence of other crimes. The Texas fugitive arrested at Abbotts Bridge Park is a prime example: a routine encounter in a closed park led to the apprehension of a wanted fugitive from another state.

For a deeper look at how Duluth police handle reckless driving specifically, see our reporting on the 104 MPH reckless driving arrest on Duluth roads.

Community Policing: Chief Jacquelyn Carruth's Approach

The Duluth Police Department is led by Chief Jacquelyn Carruth, who made history as the city's first female chief of police. Carruth has spent nearly 30 years serving the City of Duluth and has led the department for the last four years with what colleagues describe as dedication and professionalism. She is a graduate of the 252nd Session of the FBI National Academy — one of the most prestigious law enforcement training programs in the country.

Under Chief Carruth's leadership, the department has emphasized community engagement alongside traditional enforcement. In 2026, the chief met with Korean Consul Myunghwan Sung to discuss public safety initiatives — a recognition of Duluth's large and growing Korean-American population. She also met with the Women's Advisory Law Enforcement Council (WALEC) to discuss ways to support women in law enforcement and improve community safety.

The department has also invested in specialized programs, including a secure registry that helps first responders better assist individuals with special needs. This program allows families to provide critical medical and behavioral information to police and fire personnel in advance, so that when an emergency occurs, responders are prepared.

The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police has recognized the Duluth Police Department with a Silver Meritorious Award — a testament to the department's professionalism and effectiveness under Chief Carruth's leadership.

What Residents Say: The Community Perspective

Data only tells part of the story. Niche.com's student poll — based on 33 responses from people familiar with Duluth — provides a window into how residents actually feel about safety in their community:

How safe do you feel in this area?

• Pretty safe (some safety concerns but generally feel safe): 61%
• Very safe (no safety concerns): 33%
• Somewhat safe (noticeable safety concerns, sometimes don't feel safe): 6%

Combined, 94% of respondents feel at least pretty safe in Duluth, with a full third reporting no safety concerns at all. Only 6% report noticeable safety concerns.

How effective is law enforcement in this area?

• The police are very visible and very responsive: 70%
• The police are visible but respond slowly when needed: 18%
• Not sure: 9%
• The police aren't around much but are there quickly when needed: 3%

Seven out of ten respondents say the police are very visible and very responsive — a strong vote of confidence in the Duluth Police Department's community presence. This visibility is a direct result of the department's proactive patrol strategy and commitment to community policing.

The Broader Context: Gwinnett County and National Trends

Duluth does not exist in isolation. The city is part of Gwinnett County, which reported a 25% reduction in homicides in 2024 with a 100% clearance rate — meaning every homicide investigated by the Gwinnett County Police Department was solved. Gwinnett's overall crime rate is approximately 28.21 incidents per 1,000 residents, placing the county in the 88th percentile for safety nationally.

For a detailed examination of Gwinnett County's crime data, see our Gwinnett County crime statistics report.

Nationally, the FBI released its 2025 crime statistics on August 14, 2026, confirming what local departments like Duluth's have been experiencing: violent crime is falling at a rate not seen in decades. The FBI reported the largest year-to-year decline in violent crime rates since estimations began in 1936, with murder down 18.1%, robbery down 18.5%, aggravated assault down 7.2%, and rape down 7.6%. The 2025 national murder rate of 4.1 per 100,000 is tied with 1955 and 1956 for the lowest ever recorded in the United States.

Duluth's zero-murder record in the most recent reporting period is even more remarkable against this backdrop. While the national murder rate is at historic lows, Duluth has eliminated murder entirely — at least in the most recent annual reporting cycle.

Challenges: Growth, Diversity, and Proximity to Atlanta

Despite the positive data, Duluth faces real public safety challenges. The city's population has grown to 34,167 in 2026, and Gwinnett County as a whole has surpassed one million residents. Growth brings new residents, new businesses, and new demands on public services — including law enforcement.

Duluth is one of the most diverse cities in Georgia, with a population that is approximately 35% White, 24% Black or African American, and 22% Asian, according to World Population Review. The city has one of the highest Indian populations in Georgia and a large and growing Korean-American community. This diversity is a strength — but it also means the police department must be culturally competent, multilingual, and engaged with multiple communities.

Duluth's proximity to Atlanta and its location along major highways (including Buford Highway and Interstate 85) means the city sees significant through-traffic. Some crime in Duluth is committed by individuals who do not live in the city — they pass through, commit crimes, and leave. The human trafficking case on Satellite Pointe involved a suspect from Buford, not Duluth. The Texas fugitive was from out of state. Traffic enforcement and proactive patrolling are critical tools for intercepting these external threats.

The overnight parking ban that sparked resident frustration earlier this year — with $50 tickets issued to residents parking in their own driveways — is one example of how public safety ordinances can sometimes create tension between law enforcement and the community. For more on that story, see our reporting on Duluth's overnight parking ban and resident pushback.

The Numbers in Context: What 2026 Tells Us

When you combine the Duluth Police Department's activity data with the crime rate analysis from Niche, OpenCrime, and DoorProfit, the picture for 2026 is clear:

• Duluth is safe. With a violent crime rate roughly half the national average and zero murders in the most recent reporting period, Duluth is one of the safer cities in Gwinnett County and in Georgia.

• The police are active. 7,176 calls for service in March and 1,240 calls with 72 arrests in July show a department that is engaged, visible, and responsive. The 2.5% increase in calls from March 2025 to March 2026 reflects both population growth and the department's willingness to respond to community needs.

• Serious crime is rare but not absent. The human trafficking arrest, the attempted home invasion, the workplace shooting, and the Texas fugitive apprehension all occurred in 2026. These are serious incidents — but they are the exception, not the rule. Duluth's low crime rate means that when a serious incident does occur, it stands out precisely because it is unusual.

• Community policing works. Chief Carruth's emphasis on community engagement — meeting with consular officials, engaging with advisory councils, implementing special needs registries, and maintaining visible patrols — is producing results. The 70% of residents who say police are very visible and very responsive are not wrong. They are seeing the product of deliberate, community-focused policing.

• Traffic enforcement prevents crime. The Texas fugitive was caught because officers noticed a car in a closed park. The DUI arrest of the Forest Park official occurred because officers were enforcing traffic laws. Traffic stops are not just about writing tickets — they are a front-line tool for identifying and apprehending criminals.

Why This Matters for Duluth Residents

For conservatives and law-and-order voters in Duluth, the 2026 crime data carries several key takeaways:

• Local policing works. Duluth's investment in a well-staffed, community-focused police department — led by an experienced chief with FBI National Academy training — is producing measurable results. Zero murders, a violent crime rate half the national average, and a 70% community approval rating for police visibility are not accidents.

• Proactive enforcement matters. The cases that made headlines in 2026 — the human trafficking arrest, the fugitive apprehension, the home invasion suspect identification — were all the result of proactive police work. When officers are on the street, making traffic stops, checking on suspicious vehicles, and following up on calls, they catch criminals. When police are absent, criminals operate freely.

• Small cities are not immune. Duluth's low crime rate does not mean no crime. The human trafficking case on Satellite Pointe is a reminder that even safe communities can harbor serious criminal activity. Vigilant policing — and vigilant neighbors — are necessary to identify and stop it.

• Diversity and safety go together. Duluth is one of the most diverse cities in Georgia, and it is also one of the safest. This contradicts the narrative that diversity leads to crime. The key is not demographics — it is law enforcement, community engagement, and a commitment to public safety.

Where to Find the Data

Residents who want to examine Duluth crime data for themselves can access several public sources:

• The Duluth Police Department (duluthga.net/services/police) provides department information, records services, and a crime mapping tool that is free for citizens to use.
• Niche.com (niche.com/places-to-live/duluth-gwinnett-ga/crime-safety) publishes annual crime and safety grades based on violent and property crime rates.
• OpenCrime.us (opencrime.us/cities/duluth-georgia) provides crime rate data and safety grades for Duluth.
• The Duluth Police Department's Instagram (@duluthgapolice) publishes monthly activity reports, including calls for service, arrests, and incident counts.
• The FBI's Crime Data Explorer (cde.ucr.cjis.gov) provides national and state crime statistics for comparison.

For more local reporting from Duluth and across Gwinnett County — including public safety, immigration enforcement, government accountability, and community issues — visit our Gwinnett County news hub and browse all local news from WorthFighting.org.