| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Chatham/100k people | Massachusetts/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 47 | n/a (estimate) | 687 | 1,427 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 1.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 14.6 | 27.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 36.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 11 | n/a | 160.7 | 249.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 12 | n/a (estimate) | 175 | 315 | 359 |
| Burglary | 7 | n/a | 102.3 | 130.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 27 | n/a | 394.6 | 876.3 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1 | n/a | 14.6 | 105.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 35 | n/a (estimate) | 511 | 1,112 | 1,760 |

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 Chatham crime rate is lower than the national average by 67.6%. Specifically, there were 12 violent crimes in Chatham, equivalent to 175 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 51.2%. Furthermore, Chatham recorded 35 property crimes, amounting to 511 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 70.9%.
Chatham has a crime rate of 687, which is considerably less than the national average of 2119. This results in Chatham being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.
In the most recently reported crime year, Chatham 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, Chatham has a property crime rate of 511 crimes per 100,000 people, which is far below the national average of 1760. This is a good indicator that Chatham is a safe place to live.
To determine if Chatham is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Chatham has a total crime rate that is 68% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.13 daily crimes (0.03 violent daily crimes and 0.1 daily property crimes) in Chatham.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Chatham has decreased by 14.6%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Chatham, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 200%, while property crime has decreased by 31.4%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Chatham is a safe place to live.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Chatham crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Chatham has an unemployment rate of 1.1%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Chatham has a population density of 608.9 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 Chatham crime rates.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Chatham has a median home price of $1,877,750, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

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| Item | Chatham | Massachusetts | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 22 | 11,659 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.6 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Massachusetts /100K | National /100K |
| Massachusetts | 4,551 | 72 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| West Chatham, MA | 1,259 | 44 | 156 | 200 |
| Harwich Port, MA | 1,962 | 56 | 199 | 255 |
| North Eastham, MA | 1,811 | 72 | 254 | 326 |
| Brewster, MA | 1,374 | 123 | 245 | 368 |
| West Dennis, MA | 2,559 | 90 | 318 | 409 |
| Harwich Center, MA | 1,431 | 93 | 329 | 422 |
| East Dennis, MA | 3,165 | 109 | 386 | 495 |
| Chatham, MA | 1,606 | 175 | 511 | 687 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Ovid, MI | 1,606 | 202 | 643 | 845 |
| Cannon Beach, OR | 1,606 | 266 | 1,928 | 2,194 |
| Random Lake, WI | 1,606 | 86 | 356 | 442 |
| Gordonsville, TN | 1,606 | 434 | 578 | 1,012 |
| Brownsboro, TX | 1,605 | 379 | 379 | 758 |
| Chatham, MA | 1,606 | 175 | 511 | 687 |