A-
15%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
54%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
29%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleClifton/100k peopleNew Jersey/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,185n/a (estimate)2,4311,6452,119
Murder1n/a1.12.35.0
Rape9n/a10.017.337.5
Robbery40n/a44.549.360.6
Assault99n/a110.2148.8256.1
Violent crime149n/a (estimate)166218359
Burglary275n/a306.0145.3229.2
Theft1,553n/a1,728.11,119.41,272.1
Vehicle theft208n/a231.4162.6258.8
Property crime2,036n/a (estimate)2,2651,4271,760
Get Crime Data Within A 1-Mile Radius! Local Insights Report
  • View detailed crime data near your address
  • Use local crime insights to avoid risky areas
  • Get hyperlocal crime stats, not city averages
* Crime data not available for every address.
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Crime Rates in Clifton, 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 Clifton crime rate is lower than the national average by 12.4%. Specifically, there were 93 violent crimes in Clifton, equivalent to 105 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 71.7%. Furthermore, Clifton recorded 1714 property crimes, amounting to 1931 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 1.2%.

When assessing the overall crime rate in Clifton per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Clifton crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

Clifton stands out with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the United States. Reporting only 105 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Clifton secures its place among the safest cities in the nation, making it an enticing destination for those in search of a new home.

Clifton has a property crime rate that closely mirrors the national average. There were a total of 1931 property crimes in Clifton, while the national average was 1954 per 100,000 people. This results in the area being no safer or more dangerous than the average city.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Clifton?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Clifton residents. Out of the respondents (28 in total), 68% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Clifton were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 32% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Clifton a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Clifton 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. Clifton has a total crime rate that is 12% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 4.95 daily crimes (0.25 violent daily crimes and 4.7 daily property crimes) in Clifton.

Has Crime in Clifton Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Clifton crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Clifton has increased by 27.6% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 13.4% and property crime has increased by 28.5%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Clifton

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Clifton, 84.8% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

In Clifton, the cost of living is 26.19% higher than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

In Clifton, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.04 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

Clifton crime map



The Clifton crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Clifton 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 Clifton crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Clifton 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.

Compare Clifton, NJ Crime

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Clifton crime rates are 15% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Clifton are 54% lower than the national average
      • In Clifton you have a 1 in 42 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Clifton is safer than 59% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Clifton has increased by 27%

      Clifton, NJ Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Clifton

        See all the best places to live around Clifton
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Clifton?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Clifton?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Clifton poll results

        Daily Crime In Clifton (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Clifton on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of New Jersey and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Clifton (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to New Jersey, are 1.48 times more than the state average and 1.15 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Clifton on a daily basis are 1.31 times less than than New Jersey average and 2.17 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Clifton are 1.59 times more than the daily state average and 1.29 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Clifton (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Clifton in comparison to other New Jersey communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Clifton safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Clifton being safer than 31% of cities in New Jersey and 59% 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 Clifton. In conclusion, Clifton ranks above average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Clifton

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Clifton is 1 in 604
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Clifton is 1 in 45
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Clifton is 1 in 42
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Clifton, New Jersey? If you reside in Clifton, then there is a 1 in 604 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 45. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 42 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Clifton.

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

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Clifton is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Clifton has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 32% in Clifton, while property crimes in Clifton have increased by 35%. Total crime has increased by 27% year over year.

        Clifton police department

        Item Clifton New Jersey National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)17314,540558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.05.73.3
        There are a total of 173 Clifton police officers. This results in 2.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 63.9% less than the New Jersey average and 37.2% less 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
        Emerson, NJ7,60609595
        Allendale, NJ6,7570116116
        Harrington Park, NJ4,7350212212
        Oradell, NJ8,12648168215
        Wanaque, NJ11,71936187223
        Old Tappan, NJ5,92448191239
        Hillsdale, NJ10,3170263263
        Clifton, NJ85,2011662,2652,431

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Bloomington, MN85,2263123,4643,776
        Hoover, AL85,386781,2571,335
        Hawthorne, CA85,4107272,4653,193
        Whittier, CA84,8214902,3752,866
        Bryan, TX85,6453851,4481,833
        Clifton, NJ85,2011662,2652,431
        Source: The Clifton, NJ crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.