| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | New Brunswick/100k people | New Jersey/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,904 | n/a (estimate) | 3,325 | 1,645 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 9 | n/a | 15.7 | 2.3 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 26 | n/a | 45.4 | 17.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 159 | n/a | 277.7 | 49.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 206 | n/a | 359.8 | 148.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 400 | n/a (estimate) | 699 | 218 | 359 |
| Burglary | 168 | n/a | 293.4 | 145.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,237 | n/a | 2,160.4 | 1,119.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 99 | n/a | 172.9 | 162.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,504 | n/a (estimate) | 2,627 | 1,427 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in New Brunswick is 56.9% 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 New Brunswick, there were 400 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 699 per 100,000 individuals, 94.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1504 property crimes, amounting to 2627 per 100,000 residents, 49.2% higher than the U.S. average.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. New Brunswick is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 9 murders in New Brunswick, which equates to 16 murders per 100,000 people. This results in New Brunswick being a very dangerous place to live.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of New Brunswick residents. Out of the respondents (63 in total), 22% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in New Brunswick were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 78% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Determining whether New Brunswick 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, New Brunswick has an overall crime rate that is 57% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 5.22 daily occurrences, comprising 1.1 violent crimes and 4.12 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of New Brunswick as a potential place to establish residency.
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 New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick has increased by 52.4% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 40.4% and property crime has increased by 56%.
New Brunswick has a poverty rate that stands at 36.1, 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 New Brunswick 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.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. New Brunswick, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.9%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
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 New Brunswick, 58.7% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
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 | New Brunswick | New Jersey | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 174 | 14,540 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.1 | 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 |
| Matawan, NJ | 9,033 | 0 | 20 | 20 |
| South River, NJ | 16,447 | 49 | 99 | 148 |
| Ten Mile Run, NJ | 1,864 | 31 | 200 | 231 |
| Princeton Junction, NJ | 2,052 | 31 | 200 | 231 |
| Cranbury, NJ | 2,281 | 34 | 224 | 258 |
| New Providence, NJ | 13,898 | 44 | 255 | 299 |
| Six Mile Run, NJ | 3,566 | 42 | 272 | 313 |
| New Brunswick, NJ | 57,400 | 699 | 2,627 | 3,325 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Carson City, NV | 57,373 | 284 | 1,554 | 1,839 |
| Commerce City, CO | 57,428 | 791 | 2,872 | 3,663 |
| Parker, CO | 57,520 | 209 | 1,648 | 1,857 |
| Euless, TX | 57,525 | 187 | 2,105 | 2,293 |
| Kendale Lakes, FL | 57,544 | 200 | 1,063 | 1,263 |
| New Brunswick, NJ | 57,400 | 699 | 2,627 | 3,325 |
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