A+
77%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
51%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
82%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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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 peopleTownsend/100k peopleMassachusetts/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime47n/a (estimate)5281,4152,281
Murder0n/a0.02.15.7
Rape3n/a33.727.338.0
Robbery1n/a11.236.666.5
Assault12n/a134.8248.3264.1
Violent crime16n/a (estimate)180314364
Burglary7n/a78.6131.8250.7
Theft23n/a258.3852.31,347.2
Vehicle theft1n/a11.2116.6318.7
Property crime31n/a (estimate)3481,1011,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Townsend, MA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Townsend is 80.2% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 11 violent crimes reported in Townsend, equivalent to 124 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 66.6%. Additionally, Townsend recorded 30 property crimes, amounting to 337 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 82.7%.

Townsend enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, standing at just 461, a significant contrast to the national average of 2324. This distinction firmly establishes Townsend as one of the safest places to reside in the entire United States. This crime rate is meticulously calculated, taking into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 individuals, providing a comprehensive perspective on the area's safety and livability.

In the most recently reported crime year, Townsend registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

Property crime rates per 100,000 people have declined steadily since 1990, but did see a slight increase in recent years. Based on the most recent crime data, Townsend has a property crime rate of 337 crimes per 100,000 people, which is far below the national average of 1954. This is a good indicator that Townsend is a safe place to live.

Is Townsend a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Townsend, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Townsend presents a total crime rate that is 80% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Townsend experiences an average of 0.11 daily crimes, comprising 0.03 violent incidents and 0.08 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Townsend Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Townsend. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Townsend has decreased by 53.4%. Violent crimes have decreased by 57.7%, while property crimes have decreased by 51.6%. 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 Townsend

In Townsend, the poverty rate currently stands at 9.8%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Townsend crime rates.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Townsend crime rates. Townsend registers a population density of 753.4 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Townsend, the cost of living is 14.08% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Townsend crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Townsend crime rates are 77% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Townsend are 51% lower than the national average
      • In Townsend you have a 1 in 190 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Townsend is safer than 81% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Townsend has increased by 14%

      Townsend, MA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Townsend (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Townsend (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Townsend

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Townsend is 1 in 557
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Townsend is 1 in 288
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Townsend is 1 in 190

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

        Townsend police department

        Item Townsend Massachusetts National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1511,659558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.62.23.3
        There are a total of 15 Townsend police officers. This results in 1.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 23.5% less than the Massachusetts average and 49.3% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Massachusetts

        State Total offenders Massachusetts /100K National /100K
        Massachusetts4,55172266
        There are a total of 4,551 sex offenders in Massachusetts. This yields a total of 72 sex offenders in Massachusetts per 100,000 residents which is 73% 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
        Groton, MA1,12727215242
        Pepperell, MA2,68577317394
        Milford, NH8,64436382418
        Greenville, NH1,01146384430
        Shirley, MA1,716167273440
        Amherst, NH65617485501
        East Pepperell, MA1,916112393505
        Townsend, MA1,276180348528

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Airport, CA1,2762771,2671,544
        Five Points, FL1,276133696829
        East Camden, AR1,2762639461,210
        Kensington, NY1,27655252307
        Pomeroy, WA1,2761771,4281,604
        Townsend, MA1,276180348528
        Source: The Townsend, MA 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.