Safest cities in Massachusetts

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Known as the 'Bay State,' Massachusetts is renowned for its historical significance, prestigious educational institutions, and vibrant cultural scene. Located in the northeastern United States, Massachusetts boasts a diverse geography that includes picturesque coastlines, rolling hills, and bustling urban centers. The state's economy is driven by sectors such as education, healthcare, finance, and technology. Boston, the state capital, is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its historic sites, world-class universities, and vibrant arts scene. Massachusetts is also famous for its role in American history, with landmarks such as the Freedom Trail and Plymouth Rock drawing visitors from around the world.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Massachusetts particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Massachusetts's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Massachusetts's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Clinton Population: 7,058 77 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 26 Property Crime / 100k: 51 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Clinton proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Massachusetts. With only 77 crimes per 100,000 people, Clinton has a crime rate that is 84% lower than the Massachusetts average. This equates to an average of 0.03 crimes per day and a 1 in 1,298 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Northborough Population: 6,532 108 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 19 Property Crime / 100k: 89 chance of being a victim: 1 in 923

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Northborough comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Massachusetts with a crime rate of 108 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 89 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 19 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Northborough, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Marshfield Population: 5,190 217 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 97 Property Crime / 100k: 120 chance of being a victim: 1 in 461

With a population of 5,190 and a total crime rate of 217 per 100,000 residents, Marshfield is the 3rd safest city in Massachusetts. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 73% lower than the Massachusetts average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Scituate Population: 5,905 284 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 65 Property Crime / 100k: 219 chance of being a victim: 1 in 352

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Scituate is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 284, 80% lower than the Massachusetts average. This amounts to 0.16 crimes per day and a 1 in 352 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Scituate a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Sharon Population: 6,217 298 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 27 Property Crime / 100k: 271 chance of being a victim: 1 in 335

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Sharon consistently ranks high in safety. In Sharon, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 298, which is 82% lower than the state average.

Rockport Population: 5,247 304 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 130 Property Crime / 100k: 173 chance of being a victim: 1 in 329

Rockport has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Massachusetts. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 304 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Massachusetts average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 43 reports of burglary, 116 reports of theft, 14 reports of vehicle theft, 130 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Franklin Town Population: 33,644 318 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 93 Property Crime / 100k: 226 chance of being a victim: 1 in 314

Franklin Town ranks as the seventh safest city in Massachusetts and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 314 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.30 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Franklin Town’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Massachusetts.

Lexington Population: 33,304 323 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 294 chance of being a victim: 1 in 309

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Lexington is the 8th safest city in Massachusetts. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 66% lower than the Massachusetts average, reporting a total of 323 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Medfield Population: 6,668 406 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 128 Property Crime / 100k: 278 chance of being a victim: 1 in 246

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Medfield is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Massachusetts, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 406 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 87% lower than the state average.

Amherst Center Population: 20,037 425 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 108 Property Crime / 100k: 317 chance of being a victim: 1 in 235

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Massachusetts, is Amherst Center. With a low rate of crime that included 49 burglaries, 251 thefts, 16 vehicle thefts, 78 assaults, 4 robberies, 27 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 51% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Massachusetts

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Clinton	7,058	26	51	77
2	Northborough	6,532	19	89	108
3	Marshfield	5,190	97	120	217
4	Scituate	5,905	65	219	284
5	Sharon	6,217	27	271	298
6	Rockport	5,247	130	173	304
7	Franklin Town	33,644	93	226	318
8	Lexington	33,304	29	294	323
9	Medfield	6,668	128	278	406
10	Amherst Center	20,037	108	317	425
11	Winchester	22,760	22	403	425
12	Wellesley	28,747	26	433	458
13	Andover	8,821	36	475	511
14	Reading	25,236	28	485	513
15	Milton	27,590	60	468	528
16	Arlington	45,379	97	461	558
17	Spencer	5,810	143	419	562
18	Newburyport	18,197	122	486	608
19	Newton	88,322	59	556	615
20	Wakefield	27,041	110	526	637
21	Beverly	42,062	133	550	682
22	Melrose	28,054	141	545	687
23	Kingston	6,750	180	553	732
24	Swampscott	15,184	45	694	739
25	Marblehead	20,530	119	623	742
26	Gloucester	30,291	257	510	767
27	Maynard	10,900	248	533	781
28	Needham	31,177	77	737	814
29	Lynnfield	12,968	154	686	840
30	Brookline	59,223	65	789	854
31	Milford	26,072	278	599	877
32	Longmeadow	15,736	192	691	883
33	Hull	10,478	207	678	885
34	Easthampton Town	15,930	144	757	901
35	Belmont	26,158	60	844	904
36	Foxborough	6,119	146	766	911
37	Winthrop Town	18,558	181	741	922
38	Stoneham	23,625	115	834	949
39	Bridgewater	8,544	347	607	954
40	Salisbury	5,116	228	749	977
41	Norwood	29,446	140	848	988
42	Westfield	41,303	192	800	991
43	Walpole	6,211	144	863	1,007
44	Oxford	5,926	90	931	1,022
45	Gardner	20,605	264	764	1,028
46	Plymouth	6,949	310	734	1,044
47	Methuen Town	50,518	209	838	1,047
48	Wilmington	23,390	219	847	1,066
49	Somerset	18,160	159	912	1,071
50	Hingham	5,837	179	905	1,084

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Massachusetts is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Massachusetts cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.