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C

Is Gloucester, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 30,627 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 30,627, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Gloucester earns a C with violent crime well below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,396 per 100K.

Gloucester Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGloucesterMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate209.6323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2001.02004.41,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate146.0--268.2
Theft Rate1396.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate323.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

221.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

210/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

2001/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Gloucester

Violent crime in Gloucester is well below the national average. The rate of 209.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2001.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,396 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Gloucester Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault146
054% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery51
081% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary275
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,396
0100% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft323
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Gloucester Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gloucester
209.6
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gloucester
2001.0
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gloucester Safety

Is Gloucester safe?
Not especially. Gloucester earns a C with a crime rate of 221.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs well below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Gloucester?
221.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 209.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2001.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Gloucester safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Gloucester's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,396 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Gloucester?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Gloucester generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Gloucester police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Gloucester?
Crime rates have held steady in Gloucester, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Gloucester compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Below average for the state. Gloucester ranks behind about 74% of Massachusetts cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Gloucester to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Gloucester?
Bad. A C grade and 221.1 per-thousand rate put Gloucester below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 210 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Gloucester?
209.6 per 100,000, which is 42% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (146), robbery (51), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Massachusetts city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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