Safest cities in Massachusetts

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Known as the 'Bay State,' Massachusetts is renowned for its historical significance, prestigious educational institutions, and vibrant cultural scene. Located in the northeastern United States, Massachusetts boasts a diverse geography that includes picturesque coastlines, rolling hills, and bustling urban centers. The state's economy is driven by sectors such as education, healthcare, finance, and technology. Boston, the state capital, is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its historic sites, world-class universities, and vibrant arts scene. Massachusetts is also famous for its role in American history, with landmarks such as the Freedom Trail and Plymouth Rock drawing visitors from around the world.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Massachusetts particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Massachusetts's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Massachusetts's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

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Worcester Population: 189,035 16 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 16 Property Crime / 100k: 0 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Worcester proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Massachusetts. With only 16 crimes per 100,000 people, Worcester has a crime rate that is 112% higher than the Massachusetts average. This equates to an average of 0.10 crimes per day and a 1 in 6,069 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Clinton Population: 7,222 101 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 57 chance of being a victim: 1 in 992

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Clinton comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Massachusetts with a crime rate of 101 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 19 counts of burglary, 38 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 44 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Clinton, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Scituate Population: 6,062 157 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 41 Property Crime / 100k: 117 chance of being a victim: 1 in 637

With a population of 6,062 and a total crime rate of 157 per 100,000 residents, Scituate is the 3rd safest city in Massachusetts. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 80% lower than the Massachusetts average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Rockport Population: 5,358 169 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 42 Property Crime / 100k: 126 chance of being a victim: 1 in 593

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Rockport is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 169, 93% lower than the Massachusetts average. This amounts to 0.03 crimes per day and a 1 in 593 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Rockport a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Northborough Population: 6,697 200 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 13 Property Crime / 100k: 188 chance of being a victim: 1 in 499

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Northborough consistently ranks high in safety. In Northborough, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 200, which is 84% lower than the state average.

Bridgewater Population: 8,837 275 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 75 Property Crime / 100k: 200 chance of being a victim: 1 in 364

Bridgewater has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Massachusetts. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 275 crimes per 100,000 people, 71% lower than the Massachusetts average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 14 reports of burglary, 112 reports of theft, 75 reports of vehicle theft, 64 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 10 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Sharon Population: 6,394 277 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 37 Property Crime / 100k: 240 chance of being a victim: 1 in 361

Sharon ranks as the seventh safest city in Massachusetts and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 361 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.14 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Sharon’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Massachusetts.

Marshfield Population: 5,296 313 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 145 Property Crime / 100k: 168 chance of being a victim: 1 in 320

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Marshfield is the 8th safest city in Massachusetts. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 74% lower than the Massachusetts average, reporting a total of 313 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Spencer Population: 6,007 363 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 82 Property Crime / 100k: 280 chance of being a victim: 1 in 276

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Spencer is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Massachusetts, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 363 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 88% lower than the state average.

Medfield Population: 6,867 380 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 149 Property Crime / 100k: 231 chance of being a victim: 1 in 263

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Massachusetts, is Medfield. With a low rate of crime that included 45 burglaries, 186 thefts, 0 vehicle thefts, 127 assaults, 0 robberies, 22 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 87% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Massachusetts

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Worcester	189,035	16	0	16
2	Clinton	7,222	44	57	101
3	Scituate	6,062	41	117	157
4	Rockport	5,358	42	126	169
5	Northborough	6,697	13	188	200
6	Bridgewater	8,837	75	200	275
7	Sharon	6,394	37	240	277
8	Marshfield	5,296	145	168	313
9	Spencer	6,007	82	280	363
10	Medfield	6,867	149	231	380
11	Franklin Town	34,557	95	288	383
12	Lexington	34,058	52	335	387
13	Winchester	23,430	17	383	400
14	Newburyport	18,788	47	395	442
15	Amherst Center	20,556	160	307	466
16	Arlington	46,742	55	434	490
17	Melrose	29,146	101	430	530
18	Wellesley	29,744	47	485	532
19	Reading	26,111	39	533	572
20	Beverly	43,236	167	411	579
21	Wakefield	28,061	175	409	584
22	Milton	28,525	52	562	614
23	Newton	90,578	49	599	648
24	Easthampton Town	16,466	206	463	669
25	Winthrop Town	19,172	158	523	681
26	Longmeadow	16,275	94	592	686
27	Needham	32,325	52	647	699
28	Somerset	18,700	151	567	718
29	Hudson	15,748	158	563	721
30	Marblehead	20,992	145	576	722
31	Hull	10,722	262	466	727
32	Salisbury	5,226	180	561	741
33	Belmont	26,925	51	704	755
34	Stoneham	24,138	151	613	764
35	Gloucester	31,315	278	552	830
36	Andover	9,117	94	778	872
37	Norwood	30,301	167	713	880
38	Kingston	6,946	217	679	896
39	Foxborough	6,242	282	617	899
40	Oxford	6,053	236	664	900
41	Hingham	5,987	126	804	930
42	Walpole	6,338	133	815	948
43	Gardner	21,410	329	620	949
44	Palmer Town	12,662	375	574	949
45	Waltham	64,477	252	699	951
46	Lynnfield	13,272	98	857	955
47	Methuen Town	51,590	176	796	972
48	Maynard	11,308	242	743	985
49	Brookline	60,923	100	895	995
50	Westfield	42,547	191	807	998

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Massachusetts is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Massachusetts cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.