Vehicle thefts continue to surge nationwide, according to a new report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

More than one million vehicles were reported stolen, and overall vehicle thefts increased about 1 percent nationwide from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 in 2023.

Vehicle theft rates have continued to rise since 2019.

California topped the list for the highest number of vehicle thefts nationwide in 2023 with 208,668 vehicles reported stolen.

The District of Columbia had the highest theft rate across the nation in 2023 with 1,149.71 thefts per 100,000 people, over three times the national theft rate.

“Criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, including the use of advanced technology to bypass security systems,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of NICB. “From keyless entry hacks to relay attacks on key fobs, perpetrators are exploiting vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures with alarming success rates. It is critical that industry and law enforcement work together to develop more effective strategies for combating auto theft and safeguarding public safety.”

The report includes Vehicle Theft Hotspots.

Though some regions witnessed a decline in vehicle theft rates, others experienced a notable uptick.

Urban centers and densely populated areas remained hotspots for auto theft, with metropolitan regions such as the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area reporting increased incidents compared to suburban or rural areas.

The District of Columbia and Maryland each saw a drastic rise in thefts in 2023, with theft percentage increases of 64 percent and 63 percent, respectively.

“Addressing the rising tide of vehicle thefts demands collaborative partnerships involving law enforcement agencies, government bodies, automotive manufacturers, and the community at large,” Glawe said. “The repercussions of vehicle theft extend beyond financial losses, causing significant distress and inconvenience for affected individuals. Beyond the financial burden of replacing stolen vehicles and repairing damages, victims often endure emotional stress and disruption to their daily routines.”

The top 10 states by volume remained consistent in each quarter in 2023.

After California, Texas and Florida were ranked the second and third in thefts by volume with 115,013 and 46,213 stolen vehicles reported, respectively, the report noted.

Five of the states included in the top 10 theft states by volume also appeared in the top 10 list of states with the highest theft rates: California, Texas, Washington, Colorado and Missouri.

Among the top 10 Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSA), Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV had the highest theft percentage increase from 2022 to 2023 at 52 percent.

Of the top 10 CBSAs by theft volume in 2023, Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO had the highest theft percentage decrease from 2022 of -22.

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had the highest number of overall thefts in 2023 with 72,460 vehicles reported as stolen to law enforcement, despite having a slight decrease in thefts from the 72,794 reported in the prior year (-0.5 percent).