A+
64%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
79%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
61%
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 peopleSurf City/100k peopleNew Jersey/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime11n/a (estimate)8451,6202,324
Murder0n/a0.03.16.3
Rape1n/a76.816.840.0
Robbery0n/a0.047.666.1
Assault0n/a0.0135.4268.2
Violent crime1n/a (estimate)77203370
Burglary0n/a0.0148.0269.8
Theft9n/a691.21,109.11,401.9
Vehicle theft1n/a76.8159.6282.7
Property crime10n/a (estimate)7681,4171,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Surf City, NJ

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 Surf City crime rate is lower than the national average by 63.7%. Specifically, there were 1 violent crimes in Surf City, equivalent to 77 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 79.2%. Furthermore, Surf City recorded 10 property crimes, amounting to 768 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 60.7%.

Surf City distinguishes itself with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the U.S., reporting a mere 77 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This achievement firmly establishes Surf City among the safest cities in the nation, rendering it an alluring choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

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

Is Surf City a Safe Place to Live?

Is Surf City a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Surf City has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 64%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.03 daily incidents, encompassing 0 violent crimes and 0.03 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Surf City as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Surf City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Surf City. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Surf City has decreased by 45%. Violent crimes have didn't change by 0%, while property crimes have decreased by 47.4%. 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 Surf City

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Surf City crime rates. Surf City registers a population density of 1693.5 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Surf City, the cost of living is 53.45% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In Surf City, the median home price stands at $742,000, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Surf City crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Surf City crime rates are 64% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Surf City are 79% lower than the national average
      • In Surf City you have a 1 in 119 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Surf City is safer than 79% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Surf City has decreased by 49%

      Surf City, NJ Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Surf City (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Surf City (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Surf City

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Surf City is 1 in 1303
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Surf City is 1 in 131
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Surf City is 1 in 119

        Year Over Year Crime In Surf City (per 100,000 people)

        Surf City police department

        Item Surf City New Jersey National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1014,540558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents8.25.73.3
        There are a total of 10 Surf City police officers. This results in 8.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 45.4% greater than the New Jersey average and 152.7% 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
        North Beach Haven, NJ2,19132222254
        Beach Haven West, NJ4,35077537614
        Waretown, NJ2,51481565646
        Ship Bottom, NJ1,07482572654
        Harvey Cedars, NJ45282572654
        Barnegat Light, NJ46182572654
        Manahawkin, NJ1,95788613701
        Surf City, NJ1,26077768845

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Sanford, CO1,2607344,6965,430
        Ardmore, TN1,2602711,0031,274
        New London, TX1,2602081,1071,315
        Cambridge, WI1,26085398483
        Houston, PA1,260122644765
        Surf City, NJ1,26077768845
        Source: The Surf City, 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.