Safest cities in New Jersey

Known as the 'Garden State,' New Jersey is a blend of bustling urban centers, picturesque rural areas, and beautiful coastline. Located in the northeastern United States, New Jersey boasts diverse geography that includes the Atlantic Ocean beaches, the Pine Barrens, and the Delaware Water Gap. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as pharmaceuticals, finance, manufacturing, and technology. Newark, the state's largest city, is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its vibrant arts scene, historic sites, and culinary diversity. New Jersey is also rich in history, with landmarks such as the Liberty State Park and the Thomas Edison National Historical Park celebrating its heritage. The state offers a variety of recreational activities, from beachgoing to hiking and exploring its numerous parks and nature reserves.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in New Jersey 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 New Jersey'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 New Jersey's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Matawan Population: 8,696 41 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 41 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Matawan proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in New Jersey. With only 41 crimes per 100,000 people, Matawan has a crime rate that is 90% lower than the New Jersey average. This equates to an average of 0.01 crimes per day and a 1 in 2,434 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.

Union Beach Population: 5,362 174 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 35 Property Crime / 100k: 140 chance of being a victim: 1 in 573

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Union Beach comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in New Jersey with a crime rate of 174 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 35 counts of burglary, 70 counts of theft, 35 counts of vehicle theft, 35 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Union Beach, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Ringwood Population: 12,229 183 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 183 chance of being a victim: 1 in 546

With a population of 12,229 and a total crime rate of 183 per 100,000 residents, Ringwood is the 3rd safest city in New Jersey. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 89% lower than the New Jersey 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.

Jamesburg Population: 5,876 228 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 88 Property Crime / 100k: 140 chance of being a victim: 1 in 439

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Jamesburg 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, 94% lower than the New Jersey average. This amounts to 0.04 crimes per day and a 1 in 439 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 Jamesburg a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Rockaway Population: 6,345 258 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 258 chance of being a victim: 1 in 388

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Rockaway consistently ranks high in safety. In Rockaway, 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 258, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Park Ridge Population: 8,721 279 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 10 Property Crime / 100k: 269 chance of being a victim: 1 in 359

Park Ridge has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in New Jersey. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 279 crimes per 100,000 people, 90% lower than the New Jersey average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 10 reports of burglary, 259 reports of theft, 0 reports of vehicle theft, 10 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Hopatcong Population: 14,228 288 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 96 Property Crime / 100k: 192 chance of being a victim: 1 in 347

Hopatcong ranks as the seventh safest city in New Jersey and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 347 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.12 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. Hopatcong’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in New Jersey.

Wanaque Population: 11,719 289 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 36 Property Crime / 100k: 253 chance of being a victim: 1 in 347

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Wanaque is the 8th safest city in New Jersey. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 89% lower than the New Jersey average, reporting a total of 289 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.

Kinnelon Population: 9,988 311 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 311 chance of being a victim: 1 in 322

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Kinnelon is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in New Jersey, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 311 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 90% lower than the state average.

Waldwick Population: 10,051 328 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 20 Property Crime / 100k: 308 chance of being a victim: 1 in 305

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in New Jersey, is Waldwick. With a low rate of crime that included 30 burglaries, 239 thefts, 40 vehicle thefts, 20 assaults, 0 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 90% 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 New Jersey

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Matawan	8,696	0	41	41
2	Union Beach	5,362	35	140	174
3	Ringwood	12,229	0	183	183
4	Jamesburg	5,876	88	140	228
5	Rockaway	6,345	0	258	258
6	Park Ridge	8,721	10	269	279
7	Hopatcong	14,228	96	192	288
8	Wanaque	11,719	36	253	289
9	Kinnelon	9,988	0	311	311
10	Waldwick	10,051	20	308	328
11	Hillsdale	10,317	10	330	340
12	Bernardsville	7,641	0	347	347
13	New Milford	16,477	6	349	355
14	Bergenfield	27,375	43	317	360
15	Cresskill	8,701	11	353	364
16	Bloomingdale	8,080	66	302	368
17	Dumont	17,598	38	335	372
18	Florham Park	11,719	29	387	417
19	New Providence	13,382	7	421	428
20	North Haledon	8,425	34	410	444
21	Cliffside Park	25,410	27	419	447
22	Hackettstown	9,440	29	433	462
23	Norwood	5,789	0	467	467
24	Caldwell	7,970	46	424	469
25	Fair Haven	5,833	0	471	471
26	Oakland	12,953	32	444	476
27	Old Tappan	5,924	0	483	483
28	Butler	7,669	12	488	500
29	Glen Rock	11,747	33	474	508
30	Midland Park	7,230	58	462	519
31	Oradell	8,126	12	528	541
32	Mount Arlington	5,751	102	457	559
33	Montvale	8,538	24	545	569
34	Clayton	8,688	133	444	577
35	Rumson	6,757	14	567	581
36	Newton	7,935	81	512	594
37	Northfield	8,088	36	593	628
38	Washington	6,475	54	585	640
39	Hasbrouck Heights	12,026	25	633	658
40	Tenafly	14,550	26	635	662
41	Little Silver	5,817	0	678	678
42	Pompton Lakes	10,998	83	607	690
43	South River	15,874	63	636	699
44	Upper Saddle River	8,214	12	703	715
45	Lincoln Park	10,220	37	679	715
46	Closter	8,551	0	720	720
47	Chatham	8,729	11	720	731
48	Lakewood	55,039	87	647	734
49	Point Pleasant	18,686	108	631	738
50	Oceanport	5,715	98	654	752

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.