A+
62%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
86%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
57%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2023 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2024; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSummit/100k peopleNew Jersey/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime194n/a (estimate)8711,7432,281
Murder0n/a0.02.85.7
Rape4n/a18.017.938.0
Robbery0n/a0.049.966.5
Assault7n/a31.4150.7264.1
Violent crime11n/a (estimate)49221364
Burglary39n/a175.1154.8250.7
Theft130n/a583.71,176.11,347.2
Vehicle theft14n/a62.9190.7318.7
Property crime183n/a (estimate)8221,5221,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Summit, NJ

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Summit crime rate is 60.3% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Summit, there were 7 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 31 per 100,000 individuals, 91.6% lower than the national average. Additionally, Summit recorded 200 property crimes, amounting to 892 per 100,000 residents, 54.3% lower than the U.S. average.

Summit stands out with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the United States. Reporting only 31 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Summit secures its place among the safest cities in the nation, making it an enticing destination for those in search of a new home.

Summit showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Summit?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Summit residents. Out of the respondents (6 in total), 100% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Summit were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 0% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Summit a Safe Place to Live?

Is Summit a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Summit has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 60%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.57 daily incidents, encompassing 0.02 violent crimes and 0.55 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Summit as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Summit Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Summit. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Summit has increased by 0.5%. Violent crimes have increased by 75%, while property crimes have increased by 1%. 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 Summit

Summit has a poverty rate that stands at 5.1, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Summit crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Summit currently has an unemployment rate of 3.8%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

In Summit, 93% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city 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.

Summit crime map



The Summit crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Summit 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 Summit crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Summit 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.
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Compare Summit, NJ Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Summit crime rates are 62% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Summit are 86% lower than the national average
      • In Summit you have a 1 in 115 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Summit is safer than 87% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Summit has decreased by 7%

      Summit, NJ Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Summit

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        Daily Crime In Summit (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Summit, New Jersey is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Summit are 2.00 times less than the New Jersey average and 2.62 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Summit are 4.48 times less than than New Jersey and 7.37 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Summit are 1.85 times less than than New Jersey and 2.33 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Summit (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Summit in comparison to other New Jersey communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Summit safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Summit being safer than 70% of cities in New Jersey and 87% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking New Jersey cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Summit. In conclusion, Summit ranks above average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Summit

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Summit is 1 in 2025
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Summit is 1 in 122
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Summit is 1 in 115
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Summit, New Jersey? If you reside in Summit, then there is a 1 in 2025 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 122. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 115 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Summit.

        Year Over Year Crime In Summit (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Summit is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Summit has increased by 172% and the rate of property crime in Summit has decreased by 11%. The total crime rate in Summit has decreased by 7% year to year.

        Summit police department

        Item Summit New Jersey National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)5514,540558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.55.73.3
        There are a total of 55 Summit police officers. This results in 2.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 55.1% less than the New Jersey average and 22% 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
        Mountainside, NJ6,85914230244
        Weston, NJ1,95944302345
        Caldwell, NJ7,97068329397
        Bernardsville, NJ7,64113430443
        Fanwood, NJ7,68613432445
        Mendham, NJ4,88057395453
        Rockaway, NJ6,34515468483
        Summit, NJ21,91349822871

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Bloomington, CA21,9077013,2103,911
        Bloomingdale, IL21,905581,6721,730
        Leland, NC21,90396511607
        Pace, FL21,8982701,4091,678
        Gardner, KS21,936215711926
        Summit, NJ21,91349822871
        Source: The Summit, NJ crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2023. 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.