Safest cities in New Jersey

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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 10 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 10 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Matawan proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in New Jersey. With only 10 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 0.00 crimes per day and a 1 in 9,629 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: 5,362 105 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 18 Property Crime / 100k: 88 chance of being a victim: 1 in 950

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 105 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 35 counts of burglary, 35 counts of theft, 18 counts of vehicle theft, 18 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.

Hopatcong Population: 14,228 178 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 96 Property Crime / 100k: 82 chance of being a victim: 1 in 563

With a population of 14,228 and a total crime rate of 178 per 100,000 residents, Hopatcong is the 3rd safest city in New Jersey. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 85% 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.

Emerson Population: 7,606 221 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 14 Property Crime / 100k: 207 chance of being a victim: 1 in 453

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Emerson 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 221, 93% lower than the New Jersey average. This amounts to 0.04 crimes per day and a 1 in 453 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 Emerson a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Wanaque Population: 11,719 228 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 18 Property Crime / 100k: 210 chance of being a victim: 1 in 438

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Wanaque consistently ranks high in safety. In Wanaque, 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 228, which is 89% lower than the state average.

Park Ridge Population: 8,721 236 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 10 Property Crime / 100k: 225 chance of being a victim: 1 in 424

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 236 crimes per 100,000 people, 90% lower than the New Jersey average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 20 reports of burglary, 195 reports of theft, 10 reports of vehicle theft, 0 reports of assault, 10 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Waldwick Population: 10,051 238 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 20 Property Crime / 100k: 219 chance of being a victim: 1 in 419

Waldwick ranks as the seventh safest city in New Jersey and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 419 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.07 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. Waldwick’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in New Jersey.

Mountainside Population: 6,859 244 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 14 Property Crime / 100k: 230 chance of being a victim: 1 in 409

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Mountainside 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 93% lower than the New Jersey average, reporting a total of 244 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.

Oradell Population: 8,126 269 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 12 Property Crime / 100k: 257 chance of being a victim: 1 in 371

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Oradell 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 269 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Fair Haven Population: 5,833 294 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 261 chance of being a victim: 1 in 340

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in New Jersey, is Fair Haven. With a low rate of crime that included 82 burglaries, 131 thefts, 49 vehicle thefts, 33 assaults, 0 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 94% 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	10	10
2	Union Beach	5,362	18	88	105
3	Hopatcong	14,228	96	82	178
4	Emerson	7,606	14	207	221
5	Wanaque	11,719	18	210	228
6	Park Ridge	8,721	10	225	236
7	Waldwick	10,051	20	219	238
8	Mountainside	6,859	14	230	244
9	Oradell	8,126	12	257	269
10	Fair Haven	5,833	33	261	294
11	Hillsdale	10,317	10	299	309
12	Cresskill	8,701	11	330	341
13	Pitman	8,785	34	314	347
14	Oakland	12,953	47	300	347
15	Bloomingdale	8,080	79	277	356
16	Allendale	6,757	15	352	367
17	Bergenfield	27,375	14	358	372
18	Upper Saddle River	8,214	12	363	375
19	Kinnelon	9,988	0	388	388
20	Caldwell	7,970	68	329	397
21	Pompton Lakes	10,998	9	396	405
22	Westwood	11,096	45	366	411
23	Old Tappan	5,924	34	395	429
24	Dumont	17,598	43	396	440
25	Bernardsville	7,641	13	430	443
26	Fanwood	7,686	13	432	445
27	Point Pleasant	18,686	51	406	456
28	Midland Park	7,230	0	460	460
29	New Milford	16,477	12	461	473
30	Tenafly	14,550	26	447	474
31	Rockaway	6,345	15	468	483
32	Hasbrouck Heights	12,026	17	474	491
33	Madison	16,647	12	481	493
34	Wood-Ridge	9,016	40	466	505
35	South River	15,874	94	425	518
36	Washington	6,475	27	502	529
37	Franklin Lakes	11,044	9	522	531
38	Morristown	19,065	122	434	556
39	Mount Arlington	5,751	0	556	556
40	Rumson	6,757	125	432	557
41	Butler	7,669	0	586	586
42	Dover	17,866	173	433	606
43	Ridgewood	25,110	38	625	663
44	Hackettstown	9,440	20	645	665
45	Florham Park	11,719	7	669	677
46	Oceanport	5,715	65	622	687
47	Woodcliff Lake	5,836	0	690	690
48	Chatham	8,729	22	701	722
49	Glen Rock	11,747	17	714	730
50	Hightstown	5,334	239	495	734

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.