Atlantic City, NJ Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Atlantic City, NJ

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Atlantic City is 318.4% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 651 violent crimes reported in Atlantic City, equivalent to 1691 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 357.2%. Additionally, Atlantic City recorded 3093 property crimes, amounting to 8033 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 311%.

Atlantic City has a crime rate of 9724 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 318.39%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Atlantic City. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.

Atlantic City has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1691 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Atlantic City falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 60 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Atlantic City ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Atlantic City, there were a total of 7 murders, translating to 18 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

Atlantic City reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 8033 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 13 chance of falling victim to property crime in Atlantic City, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Atlantic City ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 252 vehicle thefts, amounting to 655 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Atlantic City within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 153.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Atlantic City?

What do the local residents think about crime in Atlantic City? Well, based on a recent survey of 82 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 17% of Atlantic City residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 83% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Atlantic City a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Atlantic City, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Atlantic City presents a total crime rate that is 318% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Atlantic City experiences an average of 10.26 daily crimes, comprising 1.78 violent incidents and 8.47 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Atlantic City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Atlantic City has increased by 183.2% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Atlantic City is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 110.7%, while property crime has increased by 205.3%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Atlantic City.

Potential Causes for Crime in Atlantic City

In Atlantic City, the poverty rate currently stands at 35.2%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Atlantic City crime rates.

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Atlantic City currently has an unemployment rate of 8.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Atlantic City, the cost of living is 2.19% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Atlantic City crime map