B+
31%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
40%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
29%
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 peopleJersey City/100k peopleNew Jersey/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime4,434n/a (estimate)1,6051,6202,324
Murder12n/a4.33.16.3
Rape39n/a14.116.840.0
Robbery89n/a32.247.666.1
Assault469n/a169.7135.4268.2
Violent crime609n/a (estimate)220203370
Burglary61n/a22.1148.0269.8
Theft3,125n/a1,131.01,109.11,401.9
Vehicle theft639n/a231.3159.6282.7
Property crime3,825n/a (estimate)1,3841,4171,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Jersey 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 Jersey City crime rate is lower than the national average by 31%. Specifically, there were 609 violent crimes in Jersey City, equivalent to 220 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 40.4%. Furthermore, Jersey City recorded 3825 property crimes, amounting to 1384 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 29.2%.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Jersey City?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Jersey City residents. Out of the respondents (118 in total), 43% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Jersey City were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 57% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Jersey City a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Jersey City 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. Jersey City has a total crime rate that is 31% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 12.15 daily crimes (1.67 violent daily crimes and 10.48 daily property crimes) in Jersey City.

Has Crime in Jersey City Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Jersey City has decreased by 13.2% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Jersey City 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 decreased by 47.8%, while property crime has decreased by 2.9%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Jersey City.

Jersey City Neighborhood Crime Rates

Jersey City is a large urban city with at least 11 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Jersey City include: The Waterfront, Liberty Park and Downtown. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Greenville, Bergen-Lafayette and McGinley Square.

Potential Causes for Crime in Jersey City

Jersey City has a poverty rate that stands at 15.7, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in Jersey City crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.

In Jersey City, 83.8% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Jersey City, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 3.74, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

Jersey City crime map



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

  • Jersey City crime rates are 31% lower than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Jersey City are 40% lower than the national average
  • In Jersey City you have a 1 in 63 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Jersey City is safer than 50% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Jersey City has decreased by 17%

Jersey City, NJ Crime Quiz

     

    Safest Places to Live in and Around Jersey City

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

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Jersey City, New Jersey is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Jersey City are 1.01 times less than the New Jersey average and 1.45 times less than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Jersey City are 1.09 times more than than New Jersey and 1.68 times less than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Jersey City are 1.02 times less than than New Jersey and 1.41 times less than the national average.

        How Safe is Jersey City (higher is better)

        Is Jersey City safe in comparison to other cities in the state of New Jersey as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Jersey City to other cities in the state and across the country, Jersey City is 26% safer than other cities of New Jersey and 50% safer than other cities in the nation. Jersey City has a ranks above average in comparison to other cities in the country.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Jersey City

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Jersey City is 1 in 454
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Jersey City is 1 in 73
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Jersey City is 1 in 63
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Jersey City, New Jersey you have a 1 in 454 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 73 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 63 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Jersey City.

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

        An analysis of year to year crime rates in Jersey City, New Jersey (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Jersey City has decreased by 50%, the amount of property crime in Jersey City has decreased by 8%, and the total amount of crime in Jersey City has decreased by 17% year over year.

        Jersey City police department

        Item Jersey City New Jersey National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)94014,540558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.75.73.3
        There are a total of 940 Jersey City police officers. This results in 3.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 33.9% less than the New Jersey average and 14.9% 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
        Bergenfield, NJ27,37543317360
        Cliffside Park, NJ25,41027419447
        Caldwell, NJ7,97046424469
        Garwood, NJ4,34146436482
        North Caldwell, NJ6,64066461527
        Fairview CDP, NJ3,84269478547
        Upper Montclair, NJ11,43977540617
        Jersey City, NJ262,6522201,3841,605

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        St. Petersburg, FL264,0016292,6633,292
        Laredo, TX260,5713171,2851,602
        Madison, WI258,3663012,3962,697
        Chandler, AZ257,0761821,8081,990
        Lubbock, TX257,0131,0634,1355,198
        Jersey City, NJ262,6522201,3841,605
        Source: The Jersey 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.