D
1%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
41%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
7%
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 peopleNewark/100k peopleNew Jersey/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime7,121n/a (estimate)2,3401,6202,324
Murder53n/a17.43.16.3
Rape86n/a28.316.840.0
Robbery469n/a154.147.666.1
Assault974n/a320.1135.4268.2
Violent crime1,582n/a (estimate)520203370
Burglary537n/a176.5148.0269.8
Theft2,869n/a942.81,109.11,401.9
Vehicle theft2,133n/a700.9159.6282.7
Property crime5,539n/a (estimate)1,8201,4171,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Newark, NJ

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 Newark is 0.7% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 1582 violent crimes reported in Newark, equivalent to 520 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 40.6%. Additionally, Newark recorded 5539 property crimes, amounting to 1820 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 6.9%.

The Newark crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Newark, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Newark stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Newark, there were a total of 53 murders, translating to 17 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

In the most recent release, Newark reported a property crime rate that closely aligns with the national average. In Newark, there were 1820 reported property crimes, a figure consistent with the national average of 1954 per 100,000 individuals. This positions the area as maintaining a level of safety and security on par with the typical city. The harmonious statistics underscore a balanced commitment to community well-being, offering residents a sense of stability and peace in their surroundings.

The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Newark faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 2133 vehicle thefts, translating to 701 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Newark in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 143.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Newark?

AreaVibes surveyed 174 local residents in Newark to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 22% of people answered that there was very little crime in Newark and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 78% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Newark a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Newark 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 Newark crime rate is 1% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 19.51 crimes per day - 4.33 violent crimes and 15.18 property crimes.

Has Crime in Newark Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Newark has increased by 24% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Newark is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 9.4%, while property crime has increased by 28.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Newark.

Newark Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Newark area comprises a diverse array of over 20 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: South Ironbound, North Ironbound and Forest Hill which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Springfield-Belmont, Dayton-Weequahic Park and South Broad Street exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Newark neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Newark

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Newark currently has an unemployment rate of 6.5%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

Newark has a population density of 11676.7 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 Newark crime rates.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Newark stands at $254,900, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Newark crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Newark crime rates are 1% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Newark are 41% higher than the national average
      • In Newark you have a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Newark is safer than 20% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Newark has increased by 20%

      Newark, NJ Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Newark

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        How would you rate the amount of crime in Newark?
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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Newark?
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        See all Newark poll results

        Daily Crime In Newark (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Newark, per 100,000 residents. In Newark, the total number of daily crimes is 1.44 times more than the New Jersey average and 1.01 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Newark are 2.56 times more than the New Jersey average and 1.41 times more than the national average. For property crime, Newark has a daily crime rate that is 1.28 times more than the New Jersey average and 1.07 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Newark (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Newark in comparison to other New Jersey communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Newark safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Newark being safer than 9% of cities in New Jersey and 20% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking New Jersey cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Newark. In conclusion, Newark ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Newark

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Newark is 1 in 193
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Newark is 1 in 55
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Newark is 1 in 43
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Newark, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 193. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 55 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 Newark is 1 in 43.

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

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Newark, NJ is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Newark has increased by 6%, while the property crime rate in Newark has increased by 25% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Newark has increased by 20% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Newark police department

        Item Newark New Jersey National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1,32214,540558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.75.73.3
        There are a total of 1,322 Newark police officers. This results in 4.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.2% less than the New Jersey average and 45.8% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in New Jersey

        State Total offenders New Jersey /100K National /100K
        New Jersey4,53954266
        There are a total of 4,539 sex offenders in New Jersey. This yields a total of 54 sex offenders in New Jersey per 100,000 residents which is 80% 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
        New Milford, NJ16,4776349355
        Bergenfield, NJ27,37543317360
        Cresskill, NJ8,70111353364
        Florham Park, NJ11,71929387417
        Mountain Lakes, NJ4,24953368421
        New Providence, NJ13,3827421428
        Cliffside Park, NJ25,41027419447
        Newark, NJ281,9175201,8202,340

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Orlando, FL284,8178364,0284,864
        Lincoln, NE286,3883822,8423,224
        Durham, NC276,3416873,3174,004
        Toledo, OH275,1161,1633,0814,244
        Plano, TX288,8701581,8962,054
        Newark, NJ281,9175201,8202,340
        Source: The Newark, NJ 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.