The 9 Towns With the Highest Crime Rates in New Jersey

Looking at crime statistics can be both revealing and a little surprising. New Jersey is widely known as one of the safer states in the country, but even here, a handful of communities report crime levels that sit above the state average.

Get our free mobile app

Overall, the numbers for the Garden State are encouraging. In recent years, New Jersey has averaged about 3.2 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, comfortably below the national rate of 4.9 per 1,000.

Property crime tells a similar story, with roughly 2,127 incidents per 100,000 people compared to the U.S. average of 2,385. By the numbers alone, New Jersey is doing better than much of the country.

However, statistics don’t always spread evenly across a map.

As one of the most densely populated states in America, New Jersey naturally has areas where crime is more concentrated. Add in the summer months, when shore towns and popular destinations swell with visitors, and population spikes can make existing challenges more noticeable.

Why Some New Jersey Cities Report Higher Crime

A recent analysis from PropertyClub highlighted nine cities in New Jersey where crime rates trend higher than the state norm. Some names on the list may come as no surprise, while others might be unexpected, including two located in Monmouth County.

The 9 Cities with the Highest Crime Rates in New Jersey

1. Camden

2. Trenton

3. Paterson

4. Atlantic City

5. Irvington

6. Long Branch

7. Salem

8. Asbury Park

9. Penns Grove

While many communities across New Jersey remain very safe places to live, these cities consistently report higher crime levels when compared to the rest of the state.

Keep Reading: Gerber Recall on Certain Baby Food Batches in NJ

If you’re exploring places to move, raising a family, or simply want to better understand crime trends in your region, information like this can provide helpful context. At the end of the day, feeling secure in your neighborhood and confident about your surroundings is what truly matters.