| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Elizabeth/100k people | New Jersey/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 4,247 | n/a (estimate) | 3,066 | 1,645 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 3.6 | 2.3 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 44 | n/a | 31.8 | 17.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 156 | n/a | 112.6 | 49.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 361 | n/a | 260.6 | 148.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 566 | n/a (estimate) | 409 | 218 | 359 |
| Burglary | 205 | n/a | 148.0 | 145.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,643 | n/a | 1,908.3 | 1,119.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 833 | n/a | 601.4 | 162.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 3,681 | n/a (estimate) | 2,658 | 1,427 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Elizabeth is 44.7% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Elizabeth, there were 566 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 409 per 100,000 individuals, 13.8% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 3681 property crimes, amounting to 2658 per 100,000 residents, 51% higher than the U.S. average.
For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Elizabeth has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 409 violent crimes, while the national average reported 359. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Elizabeth ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 833 vehicle thefts, amounting to 601 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Elizabeth within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 167.
What do the local residents think about crime in Elizabeth? Well, based on a recent survey of 90 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 34% of Elizabeth residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 66% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Elizabeth, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Elizabeth presents a total crime rate that is 45% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Elizabeth experiences an average of 11.64 daily crimes, comprising 1.55 violent incidents and 10.08 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Elizabeth has increased by 17.3%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Elizabeth, 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 decreased by 12.1%, while property crime has increased by 23.7%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Elizabeth is a safe place to live.
The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Elizabeth, there are 3.35 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.
In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Elizabeth is $538,500, compared to a national average of $326,622.
In Elizabeth, the average rental rates are $1,825 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. 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.
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.
| Item | Elizabeth | New Jersey | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 423 | 14,540 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.3 | 5.7 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New Jersey /100K | National /100K |
| New Jersey | 4,539 | 54 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| New Providence, NJ | 13,898 | 44 | 255 | 299 |
| Mountainside, NJ | 7,074 | 14 | 340 | 354 |
| Caldwell, NJ | 8,222 | 67 | 323 | 390 |
| Madison, NJ | 17,048 | 12 | 409 | 421 |
| Hasbrouck Heights, NJ | 12,269 | 24 | 473 | 497 |
| Bogota, NJ | 8,592 | 49 | 454 | 504 |
| Leonia, NJ | 9,324 | 32 | 484 | 515 |
| Elizabeth, NJ | 131,890 | 409 | 2,658 | 3,066 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lafayette, LA | 131,168 | 1,066 | 4,348 | 5,414 |
| Thousand Oaks, CA | 131,108 | 102 | 1,021 | 1,123 |
| Concord, CA | 133,378 | 485 | 2,886 | 3,371 |
| Pearland, TX | 130,314 | 96 | 1,440 | 1,536 |
| Simi Valley, CA | 130,307 | 129 | 924 | 1,053 |
| Elizabeth, NJ | 131,890 | 409 | 2,658 | 3,066 |
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