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C+

Is Chatham, New Jersey Safe?

Population 10,027 · Safer than 43% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 10,027, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Chatham earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,182 per 100K.

Chatham Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricChathamNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate227.6303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1728.72034.11,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate143.0--268.2
Theft Rate1182.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate272.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

195.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

228/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1729/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Chatham

Violent crime in Chatham is below the national average. The rate of 227.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1728.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,182 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Chatham Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault143
053% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery44
070% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary278
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,182
084% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft272
085% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Chatham Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chatham
227.6
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chatham
1728.7
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Chatham Safety

Is Chatham safe?
It depends on where in Chatham you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Chatham?
195.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 227.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1728.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Chatham safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Chatham has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chatham?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Chatham generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Chatham police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Chatham?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Chatham's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Chatham compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Middle of the pack for New Jersey. Chatham isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 50th percentile among New Jersey cities.
How safe is Chatham 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 Chatham?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 43th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Chatham?
227.6 per 100,000, which is 37% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (143), robbery (44), and murder (3.0) 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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