Everything You Need to Know About New Jersey Crime Rates

New Jersey often has a reputation for its low crime rates. Unfortunately, even though the state has much lower crime levels than most other states, it's not a crime-free haven. Especially in spots like Camden, crime is on the rise. Since 2019, car theft alone has increased by almost 5,000 incidents per year; 15,650 car thefts were reported in 2022.

Interested in getting a look at what crime in New Jersey is like? We'll tell you all about New Jersey crime rates and share some interesting statistics.

Overall crime rates in New Jersey

Total crimes reported in New Jersey dropped from 232,342 in 2014 to 164,965 in 2020. These crimes ranged from burglary to murder to assault, and they occurred throughout the state. The most up-to-date statistics available for 2023 show New Jersey's overall crime rate as 2,512 per 100,000 residents. The state ranked fifth-lowest for violent crime and fourth-lowest for property crime.

Property crime rates in New Jersey

Not all crimes in New Jersey are violent. The majority of crimes in the state are property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft. In 2021, residents reported 103,761 property crimes. This results in a property crime rate of 11 crimes per 1,000 residents. Though this crime rate is below national averages, you still have a 1 in 89 chance of becoming a victim of property crime. Criminals in New Jersey often target homes to steal electronics, jewelry, and other expensive items.

Violent crime rates in New Jersey

New Jersey's violent crime rates are much lower than its property crime rates: Reported property crimes totaled 15,584 in 2021. This averages out to 1.68 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. In other words, people in New Jersey have a 1 in 595 chance of being a victim of violent crime. Reported violent crimes in New Jersey include murder, manslaughter, assault, and rape. Though many of New Jersey's violent crimes are related to organized crime or interpersonal disputes, random attacks do occur.

Safest and most dangerous cities in New Jersey

Every part of New Jersey has a slightly different crime rate. Many people assume that all the big cities have more crime while all the small cities have less crime. However, this isn't necessarily true. Some urban areas like Jersey City have fairly low crime rates while small towns like Salem have very high crime rates. Here's what you need to know about the safest and most dangerous parts of the state.

The safest cities in New Jersey

These smaller cities have impressively low crime rates:

• Chester
• Norwood
• Montvale
• North Caldwell
• Mendham

The most dangerous cities in New Jersey

Though New Jersey has a lot of safe places, some areas have crime rates significantly above national averages:

• Salem: This town has over 20 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
• Camden:: This area has an unusually high number of murders, and it has 16 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
• Atlantic City: Though Atlantic City has a low violent crime rate of 9 per 1,000 people, it has sky-high property crime rates.
• Asbury Park: Asbury Park tends to have high levels of gang activity and has 12 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
• Penn's Grove: Though only 5,000 people live in this town, residents reported 5,338 crimes in a single year.

Vehicle theft in New Jersey

In recent years, vehicle theft rates in New Jersey have risen from 11,989 in 2019 to 15,650 in 2022. This is one type of crime that didn't decrease during the pandemic. In 2020, residents reported 11,781 cars stolen, and in 2021, they reported 14,425 car thefts. Most of the cars were stolen from Essex County suburbs close to ports in Newark and Elizabeth. New Jersey police forces have discovered an organized crime ring specifically targeting desirable car brands, stealing them, and then shipping them overseas.

Reasons to get a home security system in New Jersey

As you can see, New Jersey's crime rates might be a bit lower than national averages, but a lot of crime still happens. Property theft and vehicle theft are especially common, and a Vivint system can help protect your home and family in the following ways:

• Deter crime: Former criminals say that one of the biggest reasons they skip breaking into a home is that it has a home security system. These houses are harder to rob, so burglars are less interested.
• Recover your property: With security cameras and GPS tracking on your car, it's easier than ever to catch criminals. If someone does try to steal your possessions, our products can help law enforcement track down the thief.
• Protect from floods: Our home safety alarms give you peace of mind that your home is protected from the elements, especially if you live in a coastal area like Ocean City. The Vivint Water Sensor notifies you of leaks in your home so you can reduce damage from events as big as floods and hurricanes or as small as leaky pipes.
• Automate your home: Don't forget that we also offer automation options like smart locks and thermostats. With automation, you don’t have to worry that your door is locked or that the thermostat is set to the wrong temperature when nobody is home. These devices keep your home safe, and they make everyday tasks a lot easier for you.

Protect your home with Vivint

Ultimately, New Jersey crime rates reveal some interesting things about crime in the state. Despite it being a fairly safe place to live, there are some inherent risks associated with living there. If you want to stay safe and protect your vehicle and home, Vivint can help.

With our security systems, New Jersey residents can further lower their risk of being targeted for a crime. We provide professional installation and 24/7 monitoring for all our products, so protecting yourself is quick and easy. Contact us at 855.822.1220 to get started.