Safest cities in New Jersey

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Known as the 'Garden State,' New Jersey is a blend of bustling urban centers, picturesque rural areas, and beautiful coastline. Located in the northeastern United States, New Jersey boasts diverse geography that includes the Atlantic Ocean beaches, the Pine Barrens, and the Delaware Water Gap. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as pharmaceuticals, finance, manufacturing, and technology. Newark, the state's largest city, is a major cultural and economic hub, known for its vibrant arts scene, historic sites, and culinary diversity. New Jersey is also rich in history, with landmarks such as the Liberty State Park and the Thomas Edison National Historical Park celebrating its heritage. The state offers a variety of recreational activities, from beachgoing to hiking and exploring its numerous parks and nature reserves.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in New Jersey 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 New Jersey'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 New Jersey'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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Matawan Population: 8,696 20 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 20 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Matawan proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in New Jersey. With only 20 crimes per 100,000 people, Matawan has a crime rate that is 90% lower than the New Jersey average. This equates to an average of 0.01 crimes per day and a 1 in 4,879 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.

Emerson Population: 7,606 95 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 95 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Emerson comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in New Jersey with a crime rate of 95 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 95 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Emerson, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Allendale Population: 6,757 116 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 116 chance of being a victim: 1 in 866

With a population of 6,757 and a total crime rate of 116 per 100,000 residents, Allendale is the 3rd safest city in New Jersey. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 93% lower than the New Jersey 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.

South River Population: 15,874 148 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 49 Property Crime / 100k: 99 chance of being a victim: 1 in 677

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, South River 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 148, 84% lower than the New Jersey average. This amounts to 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 677 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 South River a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Mount Arlington Population: 5,751 148 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 148 chance of being a victim: 1 in 674

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Mount Arlington consistently ranks high in safety. In Mount Arlington, 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 148, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Fair Haven Population: 5,833 198 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 16 Property Crime / 100k: 181 chance of being a victim: 1 in 505

Fair Haven has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in New Jersey. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 198 crimes per 100,000 people, 94% lower than the New Jersey average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 49 reports of burglary, 99 reports of theft, 33 reports of vehicle theft, 16 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Ringwood Population: 12,229 215 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 34 Property Crime / 100k: 181 chance of being a victim: 1 in 465

Ringwood ranks as the seventh safest city in New Jersey and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 465 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.07 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. Ringwood’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in New Jersey.

Oradell Population: 8,126 215 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 48 Property Crime / 100k: 168 chance of being a victim: 1 in 464

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Oradell is the 8th safest city in New Jersey. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 92% lower than the New Jersey average, reporting a total of 215 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.

Wanaque Population: 11,719 223 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 36 Property Crime / 100k: 187 chance of being a victim: 1 in 449

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Wanaque is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in New Jersey, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 223 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 89% lower than the state average.

Old Tappan Population: 5,924 239 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 48 Property Crime / 100k: 191 chance of being a victim: 1 in 419

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in New Jersey, is Old Tappan. With a low rate of crime that included 32 burglaries, 143 thefts, 16 vehicle thefts, 16 assaults, 0 robberies, 32 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 94% 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 New Jersey

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Matawan	8,696	0	20	20
2	Emerson	7,606	0	95	95
3	Allendale	6,757	0	116	116
4	South River	15,874	49	99	148
5	Mount Arlington	5,751	0	148	148
6	Fair Haven	5,833	16	181	198
7	Ringwood	12,229	34	181	215
8	Oradell	8,126	48	168	215
9	Wanaque	11,719	36	187	223
10	Old Tappan	5,924	48	191	239
11	Hopatcong	14,228	75	177	251
12	Hillsdale	10,317	0	263	263
13	Park Ridge	8,721	41	223	264
14	Bergenfield	27,375	48	232	280
15	New Providence	13,382	44	255	299
16	Dumont	17,598	16	288	304
17	Westwood	11,096	52	253	306
18	Pitman	8,785	22	286	308
19	Rockaway	6,345	15	326	341
20	North Haledon	8,425	57	286	344
21	Mountainside	6,859	14	340	354
22	Norwood	5,789	34	323	357
23	Kinnelon	9,988	10	351	361
24	Waldwick	10,051	19	348	368
25	Oakland	12,953	31	340	371
26	Caldwell	7,970	67	323	390
27	Rumson	6,757	42	351	393
28	Jamesburg	5,876	34	359	393
29	Franklin Lakes	11,044	27	373	400
30	Madison	16,647	12	409	421
31	Oceanport	5,715	49	373	421
32	Tenafly	14,550	6	466	472
33	Haddon Heights	7,520	0	495	495
34	Hasbrouck Heights	12,026	24	473	497
35	New Milford	16,477	12	487	498
36	Bogota	8,375	49	454	504
37	Bloomingdale	8,080	156	350	506
38	Point Pleasant	18,686	75	439	513
39	Leonia	9,059	32	484	515
40	Hackettstown	9,440	10	515	525
41	Chatham	8,729	21	505	526
42	Butler	7,669	36	503	539
43	Westfield	29,690	16	556	572
44	Florham Park	11,719	27	576	602
45	Wood-Ridge	9,016	29	574	603
46	Lincoln Park	10,220	18	607	624
47	Ridgewood	25,110	45	584	629
48	Little Silver	5,817	33	597	630
49	Glen Rock	11,747	16	616	633
50	Bernardsville	7,641	37	599	636

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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.