A+
63%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
91%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
58%
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 peopleAmherst/100k peopleNew Hampshire/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime102n/a (estimate)8591,1372,324
Murder0n/a0.01.86.3
Rape2n/a16.839.640.0
Robbery1n/a8.416.166.1
Assault1n/a8.468.1268.2
Violent crime4n/a (estimate)34126370
Burglary5n/a42.173.5269.8
Theft93n/a783.1871.01,401.9
Vehicle theft0n/a0.066.5282.7
Property crime98n/a (estimate)8251,0111,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Amherst, NH

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 Amherst is 63.1% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 4 violent crimes reported in Amherst, equivalent to 34 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 90.9%. Additionally, Amherst recorded 98 property crimes, amounting to 825 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 57.8%.

Amherst has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all cities in the United States. With a rate of 34 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Amherst ranks among the safest cities in the United States making it an attractive choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Amherst 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.

The United States grapples with some of the world's most elevated vehicle theft rates, reaching around 300 vehicle thefts per 100,000 individuals. Remarkably, only a limited proportion, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to remain unscathed by reports of stolen vehicles. In the most recent crime report, Amherst emerged as one such city, recording zero reported vehicle thefts, affirming its status as a secure and vigilant community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Amherst?

What do the local residents think about crime in Amherst? Well, based on a recent survey of 9 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 89% of Amherst residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 11% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Amherst a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Amherst 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 Amherst crime rate is 63% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.28 crimes per day - 0.01 violent crimes and 0.27 property crimes.

Has Crime in Amherst Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Amherst. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Amherst has decreased by 11.3%. Violent crimes have decreased by 20%, while property crimes have decreased by 10.9%. 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 Amherst

Amherst has a population density of 903.2 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Amherst crime rates.

In Amherst, the cost of living is 44.44% 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.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Amherst are $0, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Amherst crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Amherst crime rates are 63% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Amherst are 91% lower than the national average
      • In Amherst you have a 1 in 117 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Amherst is safer than 85% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Amherst has decreased by 15%

      Amherst, NH Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Amherst

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        Daily Crime In Amherst (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Amherst (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Amherst

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Amherst is 1 in 2969
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Amherst is 1 in 122
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Amherst is 1 in 117

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

        Amherst police department

        Item Amherst New Hampshire National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)171,969558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.52.43.3
        There are a total of 17 Amherst police officers. This results in 1.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 37% less than the New Hampshire average and 53.5% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in New Hampshire

        State Total offenders New Hampshire /100K National /100K
        New Hampshire2,616204266
        There are a total of 2,616 sex offenders in New Hampshire. This yields a total of 204 sex offenders in New Hampshire per 100,000 residents which is 23% 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
        Greenville, NH1,011000
        Milford, NH8,64443349392
        Townsend, MA1,276124337461
        East Pepperell, MA1,916140465605
        Pepperell, MA2,68586534621
        East Merrimack, NH4,78671571642
        Goffstown, NH2,84893642735
        Amherst, NH65634825859

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Cedar Point, TX6565592,9783,537
        Elizabeth, LA6569153,9994,914
        Aurora, NY6565842,3452,929
        Lytle Creek, CA6562241,0521,276
        Motley, VA6563602,6062,966
        Amherst, NH65634825859
        Source: The Amherst, NH 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.