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C

Is Worcester, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 213,862 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C grade for Worcester means there's room for concern. The 221.6 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 1,592 per 100K.

Worcester Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWorcesterMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate262.0323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1954.32004.41,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate156.0--268.2
Theft Rate1592.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate433.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

221.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

262/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1954/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Worcester

Violent crime in Worcester is below the national average. The rate of 262.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1954.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,592 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Worcester Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault156
058% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery33
052% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary299
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,592
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft433
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Worcester Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Worcester
262.0
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Worcester
1954.3
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Worcester Safety

Is Worcester safe?
Not especially. Worcester earns a C with a crime rate of 221.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Worcester?
221.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 262.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1954.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Worcester safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Worcester's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,592 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Worcester?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Worcester generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Worcester police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Worcester?
Crime rates have held steady in Worcester, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Worcester compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Below average for the state. Worcester ranks behind about 66% of Massachusetts cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Worcester to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Worcester?
Bad. A C grade and 221.6 per-thousand rate put Worcester below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 262 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Worcester?
262.0 per 100,000, which is 28% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (156), robbery (33), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

Similar-sized communities in Massachusetts. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
See crime rates in Springfield154,702 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Cambridge122,588 pop · Grade C-
D+
See crime rates in Lowell119,971 pop · Grade D+
D-
See crime rates in Brockton106,134 pop · Grade D-
C
See crime rates in Lynn104,236 pop · Grade C
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See crime rates in Quincy103,173 pop · Grade C
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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