A
30%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
68%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
22%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSouth Plainfield/100k peopleNew Jersey/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime396n/a (estimate)1,6361,6202,324
Murder0n/a0.03.16.3
Rape2n/a8.316.840.0
Robbery8n/a33.047.666.1
Assault19n/a78.5135.4268.2
Violent crime29n/a (estimate)120203370
Burglary40n/a165.2148.0269.8
Theft302n/a1,247.41,109.11,401.9
Vehicle theft25n/a103.3159.6282.7
Property crime367n/a (estimate)1,5161,4171,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in South Plainfield, NJ

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the South Plainfield crime rate is lower than the national average by 29.6%. Specifically, there were 29 violent crimes in South Plainfield, equivalent to 120 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 67.6%. Furthermore, South Plainfield recorded 367 property crimes, amounting to 1516 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 22.4%.

South Plainfield shines as one of the safest cities in the United States, thanks to its remarkably low rate of only 120 violent incidents per 100,000 residents. This impressive safety record has made South Plainfield an attractive choice for individuals seeking a secure and hospitable community to call home.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, South Plainfield reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in South Plainfield?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in South Plainfield. Based on the results of the surveys (6 responses), 83% of people felt that there was very little crime in South Plainfield and felt safe walking alone at night. While 17% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is South Plainfield a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is South Plainfield a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the South Plainfield crime rate is 30% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.08 crimes per day - 0.08 violent crimes and 1.01 property crimes.

Has Crime in South Plainfield Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in South Plainfield. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in South Plainfield has increased by 25.3%. Violent crimes have increased by 3.6%, while property crimes have increased by 27.4%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in South Plainfield

In South Plainfield, 86.2% 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.

In South Plainfield, the median home price stands at $352,200, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

In South Plainfield, the average rental rates are $1,675 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

South Plainfield crime map



The South Plainfield crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in South Plainfield as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The South Plainfield crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the South Plainfield crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
New Real Estate Listings in South Plainfield Area
Search Homes for Sale in South Plainfield, NJ

Compare South Plainfield, NJ Crime

      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • South Plainfield crime rates are 30% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in South Plainfield are 68% lower than the national average
      • In South Plainfield you have a 1 in 62 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • South Plainfield is safer than 61% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in South Plainfield has increased by 25%

      South Plainfield, NJ Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around South Plainfield

        See all the best places to live around South Plainfield
        How would you rate the amount of crime in South Plainfield?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in South Plainfield?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all South Plainfield poll results

        Daily Crime In South Plainfield (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in South Plainfield, per 100,000 residents. In South Plainfield, the total number of daily crimes is 1.01 times more than the New Jersey average and 1.42 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in South Plainfield are 1.69 times less than the New Jersey average and 3.09 times less than the national average. For property crime, South Plainfield has a daily crime rate that is 1.07 times more than the New Jersey average and 1.29 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is South Plainfield (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in New Jersey and all other cities across the US, is South Plainfield safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that South Plainfield is safer than 35% of other cities in the state of New Jersey. In addition, South Plainfield is safer than 61% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all New Jersey and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than South Plainfield. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that South Plainfield is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in South Plainfield

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in South Plainfield is 1 in 835
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in South Plainfield is 1 in 66
        The chance of being a victim of crime in South Plainfield is 1 in 62
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in South Plainfield, New Jersey? If you reside in South Plainfield, then there is a 1 in 835 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 66. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 62 risk that you will become a victim of crime in South Plainfield.

        Year Over Year Crime In South Plainfield (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in South Plainfield, NJ is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in South Plainfield has increased by 3%, while the property crime rate in South Plainfield has increased by 27% year over year. Summing up the numbers, South Plainfield has increased by 25% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        South Plainfield police department

        Item South Plainfield New Jersey National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)6514,540558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.85.73.3
        There are a total of 65 South Plainfield police officers. This results in 2.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 51.3% less than the New Jersey average and 15.4% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in New Jersey

        State Total offenders New Jersey /100K National /100K
        New Jersey4,53954266
        There are a total of 4,539 sex offenders in New Jersey. This yields a total of 54 sex offenders in New Jersey per 100,000 residents which is 80% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Matawan, NJ8,69604141
        Helmetta, NJ2,23204141
        Union Beach, NJ5,36235140174
        Ten Mile Run, NJ1,80128199227
        Peapack and Gladstone, NJ2,58232222254
        Mendham, NJ4,8800302302
        Bernardsville, NJ7,6410347347
        South Plainfield, NJ23,9611201,5161,636

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Ponca City, OK23,9405683,1283,696
        Port St. John, FL23,9403111,8802,191
        Auburn Hills, MI23,9843751,9902,364
        Kalispell, MT23,9354982,6093,107
        Freeport, IL23,9303161,3071,623
        South Plainfield, NJ23,9611201,5161,636
        Source: The South Plainfield, NJ crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.