A+
37%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
89%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
27%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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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 peopleWatertown/100k peopleConnecticut/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime326n/a (estimate)1,4741,6442,324
Murder0n/a0.03.86.3
Rape3n/a13.618.140.0
Robbery6n/a27.144.966.1
Assault0n/a0.083.3268.2
Violent crime9n/a (estimate)41150370
Burglary22n/a99.4130.1269.8
Theft257n/a1,161.71,168.11,401.9
Vehicle theft38n/a171.8195.8282.7
Property crime317n/a (estimate)1,4331,4941,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Watertown, CT

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 Watertown crime rate is lower than the national average by 36.6%. Specifically, there were 9 violent crimes in Watertown, equivalent to 41 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 89%. Furthermore, Watertown recorded 317 property crimes, amounting to 1433 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 26.7%.

Watertown has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all cities in the United States. With a rate of 41 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Watertown ranks among the safest cities in the United States making it an attractive choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

In the latest reported crime year, Watertown recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

Is Watertown a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Watertown, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Watertown presents a total crime rate that is 37% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Watertown experiences an average of 0.89 daily crimes, comprising 0.02 violent incidents and 0.87 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 Watertown Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Watertown. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Watertown has increased by 0.6%. Specifically, violent crime has didn't change by 0%, while property crime has increased by 0.6%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Watertown.

Potential Causes for Crime in Watertown

Watertown reports an unemployment rate of 6.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Watertown crime rates.

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Watertown crime rates. The population density in Watertown is 1532.9 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

In Watertown, the cost of living is 14.32% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

Watertown crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Watertown crime rates are 37% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Watertown are 89% lower than the national average
      • In Watertown you have a 1 in 68 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Watertown is safer than 74% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Watertown has decreased by 3%

      Watertown, CT Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Watertown (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Watertown for every 100,000 residents. The Watertown total amount of daily crime is 1.12 times less than the Connecticut average and 1.58 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Watertown, is 3.69 times less than the Connecticut average, and it is 9.09 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Watertown has a daily crime average that is 1.04 times less than the Connecticut average and 1.36 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Watertown (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Watertown to every other city in Connecticut, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Watertown safe? The gauges above illustrate that Watertown is safer than 65% of every city located within Connecticut along with 74% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Connecticut and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Watertown, CT is ranked above average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Watertown

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Watertown is 1 in 2458
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Watertown is 1 in 70
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Watertown is 1 in 68
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Watertown, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 2458. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 70 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Watertown is 1 in 68.

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

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Watertown, Connecticut (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Watertown has decreased by 2%, the amount of property crime in Watertown has decreased by 3%, and the total amount of crime in Watertown has decreased by 3% year over year.

        Watertown police department

        Item Watertown Connecticut National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)495,593558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.22.63.3
        There are a total of 49 Watertown police officers. This results in 2.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.1% less than the Connecticut average and 32.8% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Connecticut

        State Total offenders Connecticut /100K National /100K
        Connecticut6,088184266
        There are a total of 6,088 sex offenders in Connecticut. This yields a total of 184 sex offenders in Connecticut per 100,000 residents which is 31% 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
        Litchfield, CT1,27940400440
        Newtown, CT1,92125430455
        Bethlehem Village, CT1,79248473521
        Woodbury Center, CT1,15354534588
        Plantsville, CT1,92361609670
        New Milford, CT6,74928651680
        Thomaston, CT1,73013752765
        Watertown, CT3,620411,4331,474

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Golden Beach, MD3,6201988121,010
        Pine Level, AL3,621170721891
        Central Gardens, TX3,621101539640
        Berwyn, PA3,62153282336
        Lake Isabella, CA3,6213751,7552,130
        Watertown, CT3,620411,4331,474
        Source: The Watertown, CT 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.