Chatham, MA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Chatham, MA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Chatham crime rate is 71.7% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Chatham, there were 10 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 146 per 100,000 individuals, 60.5% lower than the national average. Additionally, Chatham recorded 35 property crimes, amounting to 511 per 100,000 residents, 73.8% lower than the U.S. average.

Chatham enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, standing at just 658, a significant contrast to the national average of 2324. This distinction firmly establishes Chatham as one of the safest places to reside in the entire United States. This crime rate is meticulously calculated, taking into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 individuals, providing a comprehensive perspective on the area's safety and livability.

During the most recently reported crime year, Chatham experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Chatham maintains a property crime rate of 511 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1954. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Chatham as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

The United States contends with some of the world's highest vehicle theft rates, with approximately 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, only a modest fraction, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to have zero reported instances of stolen vehicles. Chatham stands out as one of these cities, as it reported no vehicle thefts in the most recent crime report, underscoring its commitment to a secure environment.

Is Chatham a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Chatham is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Chatham has a total crime rate that is 72% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.12 daily crimes (0.03 violent daily crimes and 0.1 daily property crimes) in Chatham.

Has Crime in Chatham Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Chatham has decreased by 18.2% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Chatham 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 150%, while property crime has decreased by 31.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Chatham.

Potential Causes for Crime in Chatham

In Chatham, 95.7% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

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 Chatham, the cost of living is 69.85% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The median home price in Chatham is $1,016,900, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Chatham crime map