| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Salem/100k people | New Jersey/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 0 | n/a (estimate) | 1,709 (estimate) | 1,645 | 2,119 |
| Murder | n/a | n/a | n/a | 2.3 | 5.0 |
| Rape | n/a | n/a | n/a | 17.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | n/a | n/a | n/a | 49.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | n/a | n/a | n/a | 148.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | n/a | n/a (estimate) | 226 (estimate) | 218 | 359 |
| Burglary | n/a | n/a | n/a | 145.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1,119.4 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | n/a | n/a | n/a | 162.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | n/a | n/a (estimate) | 1,483 (estimate) | 1,427 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Salem is 37.5% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 79 violent crimes reported in Salem, equivalent to 1485 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 301.6%. Additionally, Salem recorded 91 property crimes, amounting to 1711 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 12.5%.
Salem is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1485 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Salem is 1 in 68.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Salem ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Salem, there were a total of 3 murders, translating to 56 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Salem exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 1711 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1954 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that Salem maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Salem. Based on the results of the surveys (29 responses), 38% of people felt that there was very little crime in Salem and felt safe walking alone at night. While 62% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Salem a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Salem has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 38%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.47 daily incidents, encompassing 0.22 violent crimes and 0.25 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Salem as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Salem. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Salem has decreased by 33.1%. Violent crimes have decreased by 17.7%, while property crimes have decreased by 42.4%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
Salem has a poverty rate that stands at 44.1, 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 Salem 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.
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 Salem, 75.3% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
In Salem, the median home price stands at $58,900, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
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 | Salem | New Jersey | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 25 | 14,540 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.8 | 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 |
| Greenville, DE | 2,448 | 57 | 274 | 331 |
| Townsend, DE | 2,546 | 35 | 349 | 384 |
| St. Georges, DE | 1,045 | 72 | 348 | 420 |
| Alloway, NJ | 1,474 | 74 | 487 | 561 |
| Woodstown, NJ | 3,445 | 187 | 454 | 641 |
| Bellefonte, DE | 1,109 | 114 | 549 | 663 |
| Swedesboro, NJ | 2,583 | 0 | 676 | 676 |
| Salem, NJ | 4,761 | 226 | 1,483 | 1,709 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lakeview, GA | 4,761 | 253 | 1,300 | 1,552 |
| Royersford, PA | 4,760 | 142 | 407 | 550 |
| Springdale, MD | 4,762 | 232 | 1,133 | 1,365 |
| Mathis, TX | 4,759 | 374 | 1,263 | 1,638 |
| Fishhook, AK | 4,759 | 414 | 979 | 1,393 |
| Salem, NJ | 4,761 | 226 | 1,483 | 1,709 |
Here are the best places to live in New Jersey
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
Safest Cities In The US
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in New Jersey