Safest cities in Massachusetts

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.

Northborough Population: 6,532 45 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 32 Property Crime / 100k: 13 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Northborough proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Massachusetts. With only 45 crimes per 100,000 people, Northborough has a crime rate that is 84% lower than the Massachusetts average. This equates to an average of 0.02 crimes per day and a 1 in 2,243 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.

Clinton Population: 7,058 84 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 52 Property Crime / 100k: 32 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Clinton comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Massachusetts with a crime rate of 84 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 6 counts of burglary, 26 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 52 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Clinton, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Rockport Population: 5,247 144 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 115 chance of being a victim: 1 in 696

With a population of 5,247 and a total crime rate of 144 per 100,000 residents, Rockport is the 3rd safest city in Massachusetts. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 93% 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: 5,905 228 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 159 chance of being a victim: 1 in 438

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 228, 80% lower than the Massachusetts average. This amounts to 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 438 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.

Winchester Population: 22,760 311 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 40 Property Crime / 100k: 271 chance of being a victim: 1 in 321

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Winchester consistently ranks high in safety. In Winchester, 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 311, which is 78% lower than the state average.

Sharon Population: 6,217 313 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 38 Property Crime / 100k: 275 chance of being a victim: 1 in 320

Sharon 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 313 crimes per 100,000 people, 81% lower than the Massachusetts average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 22 reports of burglary, 216 reports of theft, 38 reports of vehicle theft, 38 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Lexington Population: 33,304 330 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 286 chance of being a victim: 1 in 303

Lexington ranks as the seventh safest city in Massachusetts and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 303 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.31 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. Lexington’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Massachusetts.

Marshfield Population: 5,190 340 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 122 Property Crime / 100k: 218 chance of being a victim: 1 in 294

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Marshfield is the 8th safest city in Massachusetts. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 73% lower than the Massachusetts average, reporting a total of 340 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: 6,668 343 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 76 Property Crime / 100k: 267 chance of being a victim: 1 in 291

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 343 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 87% lower than the state average.

Kingston Population: 6,750 387 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 90 Property Crime / 100k: 297 chance of being a victim: 1 in 259

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Massachusetts, is Kingston. With a low rate of crime that included 28 burglaries, 262 thefts, 7 vehicle thefts, 35 assaults, 0 robberies, 48 rapes and 7 homicides, the overall crime rate was 86% 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	Northborough	6,532	32	13	45
2	Clinton	7,058	52	32	84
3	Rockport	5,247	29	115	144
4	Scituate	5,905	69	159	228
5	Winchester	22,760	40	271	311
6	Sharon	6,217	38	275	313
7	Lexington	33,304	44	286	330
8	Marshfield	5,190	122	218	340
9	Medfield	6,668	76	267	343
10	Kingston	6,750	90	297	387
11	Wellesley	28,747	61	376	437
12	Hudson	15,222	148	367	515
13	Milton	27,590	25	492	517
14	Marblehead	20,530	69	449	518
15	Amherst Center	20,037	194	331	525
16	Franklin Town	33,644	88	456	544
17	Melrose	28,054	59	496	555
18	Winthrop Town	18,558	123	462	585
19	Beverly	42,062	101	485	587
20	Wakefield	27,041	150	440	591
21	Needham	31,177	81	518	599
22	Reading	25,236	16	588	604
23	Andover	8,821	117	500	617
24	Spencer	5,810	109	527	636
25	Hingham	5,837	173	464	637
26	Newburyport	18,197	147	506	653
27	Arlington	45,379	60	595	654
28	Longmeadow	15,736	89	578	667
29	Waltham	62,597	150	549	699
30	Newton	88,322	65	655	720
31	Belmont	26,158	56	685	742
32	Dedham	25,330	186	569	754
33	Gloucester	30,291	241	551	792
34	Easthampton Town	15,930	157	647	804
35	Hull	10,478	215	599	815
36	Milford	26,072	148	669	817
37	Maynard	10,900	220	602	822
38	Lynnfield	12,968	85	747	831
39	Foxborough	6,119	248	674	922
40	Swampscott	15,184	79	865	943
41	Methuen Town	50,518	144	810	954
42	Oxford	5,926	240	743	984
43	Norwood	29,446	155	831	986
44	Weymouth Town	57,213	264	726	991
45	Ware	5,978	622	379	1,000
46	Brookline	59,223	105	896	1,001
47	Wilmington	23,390	149	854	1,003
48	Bridgewater	8,544	363	669	1,032
49	Stoneham	23,625	212	821	1,033
50	Abington	16,557	151	889	1,040

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.