B+
27%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
48%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
23%
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 peopleLee/100k peopleMassachusetts/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime97n/a (estimate)1,6901,3922,324
Murder0n/a0.02.16.3
Rape3n/a52.329.140.0
Robbery0n/a0.037.766.1
Assault8n/a139.4253.1268.2
Violent crime11n/a (estimate)192322370
Burglary13n/a226.5142.8269.8
Theft70n/a1,219.5827.61,401.9
Vehicle theft3n/a52.399.7282.7
Property crime86n/a (estimate)1,4981,0701,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lee, 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 Lee is 27.3% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 11 violent crimes reported in Lee, equivalent to 192 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 48.2%. Additionally, Lee recorded 86 property crimes, amounting to 1498 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 23.3%.

Lee 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 Lee?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Lee. Based on the results of the surveys (7 responses), 86% of people felt that there was very little crime in Lee and felt safe walking alone at night. While 14% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Lee a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Lee is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Lee has an overall crime rate that is 27% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.27 daily occurrences, comprising 0.03 violent crimes and 0.24 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Lee as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Lee Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Lee. 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 Lee has increased by 19.8%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 57.1%, while property crime has increased by 16.2%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Lee.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lee

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Lee, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.5%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

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 Lee crime rates. The population density in Lee is 1138.4 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

In Lee, the average rental rates are $843 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

Lee crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Lee crime rates are 27% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lee are 48% lower than the national average
      • In Lee you have a 1 in 60 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lee is safer than 52% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lee has increased by 17%

      Lee, MA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Lee

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        Daily Crime In Lee (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Lee (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lee

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lee is 1 in 522
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lee is 1 in 67
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lee is 1 in 60

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

        Lee police department

        Item Lee Massachusetts National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1111,659558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.82.23.3
        There are a total of 11 Lee police officers. This results in 1.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 14.3% less than the Massachusetts average and 43.2% 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
        Chester, MA9350164164
        Great Barrington, MA2,213238574812
        Lenox, MA1,984981,6261,724
        Housatonic, MA6824421,4701,912
        Pittsfield, MA42,5147491,5932,343
        Copake Falls, NY1815122,0532,565
        East Nassau, NY4575582,2412,800
        Lee, MA1,5081921,4981,690

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Paradis, LA1,5082391,0441,283
        Sebastian, TX1,5082431,2911,534
        Ballard, UT1,5082962,3192,616
        Taft Heights, CA1,5093051,4271,731
        Central High, OK1,507133739872
        Lee, MA1,5081921,4981,690
        Source: The Lee, MA 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.