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D+

Is Newton, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 90,741 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Newton means there's room for concern. The 243.4 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,658 per 100K.

Newton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNewtonMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate300.3323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2133.32004.41,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate234.0--268.2
Theft Rate1658.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate304.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

243.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

300/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2133/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Newton

Violent crime in Newton is below the national average. The rate of 300.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2133.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,658 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Newton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault234
087% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery59
093% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary334
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,658
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft304
096% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Newton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Newton
300.3
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Newton
2133.3
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Newton Safety

Is Newton safe?
Not especially. Newton earns a D+ with a crime rate of 243.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Newton?
243.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 300.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2133.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Newton safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Newton's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,658 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Newton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Newton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Newton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Newton?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Newton's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Newton compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Below average for the state. Newton ranks behind about 81% of Massachusetts cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Newton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Newton?
Bad. A D+ grade and 243.4 per-thousand rate put Newton below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 300 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Newton?
300.3 per 100,000, which is 17% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (234), robbery (59), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

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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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