A+
69%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
80%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
67%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 peopleWilliamstown/100k peopleMassachusetts/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime58n/a (estimate)7231,3922,324
Murder0n/a0.02.16.3
Rape3n/a37.429.140.0
Robbery0n/a0.037.766.1
Assault3n/a37.4253.1268.2
Violent crime6n/a (estimate)75322370
Burglary3n/a37.4142.8269.8
Theft46n/a573.6827.61,401.9
Vehicle theft3n/a37.499.7282.7
Property crime52n/a (estimate)6481,0701,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Williamstown, MA

The Williamstown crime rates are 68.9% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 6 violent crimes in Williamstown (75 per 100,000 people), which is 79.8% lower than the national average and there were a total of 52 property crimes (648 per 100,000 residents) which is 66.8% lower than average.

Boasting a crime rate of 723, well below the national average of 2324, Williamstown emerges as a standout destination for those seeking a secure place to reside in the United States. This crime rate is derived from the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents, underscoring the unwavering dedication of Williamstown to ensure a safe living environment for its residents.

Williamstown shines as one of the safest cities in the United States, thanks to its remarkably low rate of only 75 violent incidents per 100,000 residents. This impressive safety record has made Williamstown an attractive choice for individuals seeking a secure and hospitable community to call home.

Williamstown showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

The property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have shown a steady decrease of more than 50% since 1990, with a slight uptick in recent years. The most recent crime data reveals that Williamstown records a property crime rate of 648 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 1954. This underscores Williamstown as an exceptionally secure and attractive residential destination, highlighting its unwavering dedication to fostering safety and community well-being.

Is Williamstown a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Williamstown 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. Williamstown has a total crime rate that is 69% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.16 daily crimes (0.02 violent daily crimes and 0.14 daily property crimes) in Williamstown.

Has Crime in Williamstown Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Williamstown. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Williamstown has increased by 5.5%. Violent crimes have increased by 200%, while property crimes have increased by 1.9%. 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.

Potential Causes for Crime in Williamstown

Williamstown has a poverty rate that stands at 6.2, 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 Williamstown 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.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Williamstown, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.05 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Williamstown are $975, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Williamstown crime map



The Williamstown crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Williamstown 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 Williamstown crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Williamstown 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.
New Real Estate Listings in Williamstown Area
Search Homes for Sale in Williamstown, MA

Crime Quick Facts

  • Williamstown crime rates are 69% lower than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Williamstown are 80% lower than the national average
  • In Williamstown you have a 1 in 139 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Williamstown is safer than 82% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Williamstown has not changed

Williamstown, MA Crime Quiz

     

    Safest Places to Live in and Around Williamstown

    See all the best places to live around Williamstown

    Compare Williamstown, MA Crime

        vs
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Williamstown?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Williamstown?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Williamstown poll results

        Daily Crime In Williamstown (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Williamstown for every 100,000 residents. The Williamstown total amount of daily crime is 1.92 times less than the Massachusetts average and 3.21 times less than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Williamstown, is 4.30 times less than the Massachusetts average, and it is 4.94 times less than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Williamstown has a daily crime average that is 1.65 times less than the Massachusetts average and 3.01 times less than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Williamstown (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Massachusetts and all other cities across the US, is Williamstown safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Williamstown is safer than 76% of other cities in the state of Massachusetts. In addition, Williamstown is safer than 82% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Massachusetts and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Williamstown. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Williamstown is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Williamstown

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Williamstown is 1 in 1337
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Williamstown is 1 in 155
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Williamstown is 1 in 139
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Williamstown, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 1337. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 155 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Williamstown is 1 in 139.

        Year Over Year Crime In Williamstown (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Williamstown is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Williamstown has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have increased by 188% in Williamstown, while property crimes in Williamstown have decreased by 7%. Total crime has not changed year over year.

        Williamstown police department

        Item Williamstown Massachusetts National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1611,659558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.12.23.3
        There are a total of 16 Williamstown police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 4.6% less than the Massachusetts average and 36.8% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Massachusetts

        State Total offenders Massachusetts /100K National /100K
        Massachusetts4,55172266
        There are a total of 4,551 sex offenders in Massachusetts. This yields a total of 72 sex offenders in Massachusetts per 100,000 residents which is 73% 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
        Cheshire, MA6836262124
        North Bennington, VT1,55191688779
        Old Bennington, VT21895714809
        Hoosick Falls, NY3,3612961,1871,483
        Adams, MA5,6893591,2631,623
        Readsboro, VT3093102,3372,647
        North Adams, MA12,8971,0052,3923,397
        Williamstown, MA4,56575648723

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Rio Communities, NM4,5665522,1132,665
        Hollister, MO4,5641079391,046
        Longbranch, WA4,5682181,9492,168
        Humboldt, IA4,5682079621,169
        Portola Valley, CA4,568130609738
        Williamstown, MA4,56575648723
        Source: The Williamstown, MA 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.