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D

Is Carteret, New Jersey Safe?

Population 25,781 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate below the national average, Carteret faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 81% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,853 per 100K.

Carteret Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCarteretNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate295.8303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2307.52034.11,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate200.0--268.2
Theft Rate1853.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate374.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

260.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

296/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2308/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Carteret

Violent crime in Carteret is below the national average. The rate of 295.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2307.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,853 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Carteret Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault200
075% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary274
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,853
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft374
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Carteret Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Carteret
295.8
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Carteret
2307.5
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Carteret Safety

Is Carteret safe?
Not especially. Carteret earns a D with a crime rate of 260.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Carteret?
260.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 295.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2307.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Carteret safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Carteret's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,853 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Carteret?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Carteret generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Carteret police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Carteret?
No. Crime in Carteret has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does Carteret compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. Carteret ranks behind about 81% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Carteret to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Carteret?
Bad. A D grade and 260.3 per-thousand rate put Carteret below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 296 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Carteret?
295.8 per 100,000, which is 19% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (200), robbery (42), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all New Jersey 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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