| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Fitchburg/100k people | Massachusetts/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 775 | n/a (estimate) | 1,831 | 1,427 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 2.4 | 1.8 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 17 | n/a | 40.2 | 27.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 15 | n/a | 35.4 | 36.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 173 | n/a | 408.7 | 249.3 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 206 | n/a (estimate) | 487 | 315 | 359 |
| Burglary | 115 | n/a | 271.7 | 130.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 403 | n/a | 952.0 | 876.3 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 51 | n/a | 120.5 | 105.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 569 | n/a (estimate) | 1,344 | 1,112 | 1,760 |
The Fitchburg crime rates are 13.6% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 206 violent crimes in Fitchburg (487 per 100,000 people), which is 35.5% higher than the national average and there were a total of 569 property crimes (1344 per 100,000 residents) which is 23.6% lower than average.
AreaVibes surveyed 77 local residents in Fitchburg to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 70% of people answered that there was very little crime in Fitchburg and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 30% 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.
Determining whether Fitchburg 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, Fitchburg has an overall crime rate that is 14% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 2.12 daily occurrences, comprising 0.56 violent crimes and 1.56 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Fitchburg as a potential place to establish residency.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Fitchburg has increased by 32%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Fitchburg, 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 increased by 9.6%, while property crime has increased by 42.6%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Fitchburg is a safe place to live.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Fitchburg crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Fitchburg has an unemployment rate of 5.6%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Fitchburg, 76.8% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, 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 Fitchburg, the cost of living is 19.62% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Fitchburg | Massachusetts | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 76 | 11,659 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.9 | 2.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Massachusetts /100K | National /100K |
| Massachusetts | 4,551 | 72 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Clinton, MA | 7,222 | 44 | 57 | 101 |
| Groton, MA | 1,154 | 44 | 192 | 235 |
| Greenville, NH | 1,041 | 50 | 199 | 249 |
| Shirley, MA | 1,758 | 102 | 277 | 379 |
| South Lancaster, MA | 1,628 | 104 | 367 | 471 |
| Pepperell, MA | 2,750 | 109 | 368 | 476 |
| East Pepperell, MA | 1,981 | 112 | 397 | 509 |
| Fitchburg, MA | 41,913 | 487 | 1,344 | 1,831 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Oviedo, FL | 41,897 | 106 | 583 | 689 |
| Buffalo Grove, IL | 41,884 | 21 | 717 | 738 |
| Covington, KY | 41,847 | 288 | 1,635 | 1,923 |
| Wilkes-Barre, PA | 41,994 | 432 | 1,557 | 1,989 |
| Lancaster, OH | 41,994 | 405 | 2,125 | 2,531 |
| Fitchburg, MA | 41,913 | 487 | 1,344 | 1,831 |
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