Compared to nearby urban areas like New York City and Philadelphia, New Jersey tends to have lower levels of crime. Is New Jersey safe? It's the fifth safest state in the nation, so for most people, the Garden State is a great place to live.
However, just like any other region, crime rates do vary depending on location. Some parts of New Jersey can be risky, while others are extremely safe. If you're interested in finding the safest cities in NJ, here's what you need to know.
Jersey City
This bustling, urban area has a lot of people, so it's no surprise that crime occasionally occurs. While there are a few rough neighborhoods in the city, it still has a lot of safe places to live. Here are some good neighborhoods in New Jersey to check out if you want a safe part of Jersey City:
The Waterfront: This exciting, trendy neighborhood is known as a popular place for affluent young families. Its crime rates are 61% below national averages.
Liberty Park: Liberty Park has crime rates on par with The Waterfront, but it's a lot calmer. People who live in this area enjoy plenty of safe walking trails and views of the Statue of Liberty.
Downtown: Downtown is the third safest neighborhood within Jersey City. It's a vibrant area with a lot of shops, bars, and restaurants, and it's safe enough to walk around at night.
Lincoln Park: Situated along a riverside green space, Lincoln Park is popular with people who want an outdoorsy neighborhood with a lot of safe parks, tennis courts, and running trails.
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South Ironbound: This neighborhood only has four violent crimes per 1,000 residents. The neighborhood has a great mix of urban and suburban homes and a diverse community.
Lower Vailsburg: Situated near Seton Hall University and Vailsburg Park, this calm neighborhood is fairly safe. Only 5 violent crimes and 15 property crimes occur per 1,000 residents.
Upper Roseville: Many people move to this neighborhood for its proximity to popular restaurants and the roomy Branch Brook Park. It's also a very safe place to live with much lower crime rates than surrounding regions.
Weequahic: If you want a single-family home in a safe environment, try this neighborhood. Its crime rate is 11% below the national average.
Paterson
With roughly 3,000 crimes occurring each year, Paterson is one of the safest mid-sized cities in New Jersey. The region has a violent crime rate of 7 per 1,000 residents.
South Paterson West: This neighborhood is often called "Little Istanbul" due to its flourishing Turkish American community. In addition to delicious food and a variety of cultural events, this neighborhood also stands out for having the lowest crime rate in Paterson.
Hillcrest: Hillcrest offers roomy, single-family homes at reasonable prices. Residents say this neighborhood is a great place if you value walkability and community spirit.
Eastside Park: Eastside Park is part of Paterson's historic district. Though it had a high crime rate a few decades ago, rates have drastically dropped as the area has been revitalized.
Trenton
Trenton has a somewhat high crime rate compared to other parts of New Jersey, but its property crime rate of 18 per 1,000 residents is still lower than national averages. If you plan on living in Trenton, it's important to choose your neighborhood wisely. Here are a few neighborhoods to consider if you want to stay safe while living in Trenton:
Hillside: This suburban neighborhood on the outskirts of Trenton is known for large, single-family homes and spacious neighborhoods. It also has less crime than any other Trenton neighborhood.
College of New Jersey: As you can tell from the name, this region is right by one of the main schools in Trenton. It's quite safe and has lower crime rates than most other parts of Trenton.
Mill Hill: As part of Trenton's downtown region, Mill Hill is one of the nicer parts of Trenton. Not only is it very safe, but it also has historic homes and many popular shops.
Atlantic City
When it comes to safety in Atlantic City, location matters. Your chance of being a crime victim is significantly lower in the southern half of town. If you want to live in this popular New Jersey town, make sure to look for the safest neighborhoods in Atlantic City:
Chelsea Heights: Chelsea Heights routinely has the lowest crime rates in Atlantic City. This area is just outside of Ventnor and has a lot of pleasant single-family homes.
Chelsea North: This area has a lot of condos and other multifamily homes. It's situated along the waterway and is nice if you enjoy the nightlife.
Venice Park: This spacious neighborhood on the western edge of Atlantic City is away from the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions. It's known for being calm and safe.
Advantages of home security and automation in your New Jersey home
Knowing about your neighborhood's crime rates can help you be proactive about home security. Even in the safest neighborhoods, Vivint provides these benefits:
Security sensors and alarms: Our sensors attach to your windows and doors and can trigger alarms whenever the main entrances to your home are opened unexpectedly. They also make it easy to notice if you accidentally leave a door or window open.
24/7 monitoring: We know you can't be at your home all the time, but our team is always there. If any alarms or sensors go off, our professional monitoring team will reach out to see if there is an emergency and dispatch emergency services if they can’t get a hold of you to make sure everything is okay.
Smart locks and garage doors: Our smart door controls let you check on all your home's doors and see whether they're closed and locked. You can easily let people in or lock your home from the Vivint app.
Comprehensive camera systems: We offer professional installation for all Vivint cameras. Indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, and doorbell cameras let you do everything from checking who's at the door to keeping an eye on a pet while you're away.
Whether your New Jersey neighborhood has high crime or not, Vivint is here to help. Our products can deter crime or help you catch criminals, and they also have plenty of other uses. You can protect your home from intruders and natural disasters alike while also making your life more convenient. We make it fast and easy to stay safe regardless of whether you live in one of the safest cities in NJ.
How can you get all these great perks? Call us at 855.822.1220 to get a free quote on a customized system for your home.
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Qualifying system purchase requires minimum $599.99 expenditure on equipment after all discounts have been applied, professional installation, and execution of Vivint monitoring services agreement. Click here for monthly service plan prices. DIY system purchases and reactivations of previously-installed systems not eligible for offer. Offer not available in all states or provinces. Equipment purchase may be financed separately subject to an agreement with one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Monthly $1.48 cellular network maintenance fee applies. Taxes and local permit fees may apply.
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Financing eligibility and terms subject to credit approval by one of Vivint's third-party financing partners. Qualified customers may finance equipment purchase at 0% APR for up to 60 months. Month-to-month service agreement available when equipment is purchased upfront.
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