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C-

Is Elizabeth, New Jersey Safe?

Population 141,675 · Safer than 30% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Elizabeth earns a C- safety grade with 227.9 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs above the national average, putting the city behind 70% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,171 per 100K.

Elizabeth Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricElizabethNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate432.1303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1846.62034.11,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate284.0--268.2
Theft Rate1171.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate369.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

227.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

432/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1847/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Elizabeth

Violent crime in Elizabeth is above the national average. The rate of 432.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1846.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,171 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Elizabeth Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault284
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery79
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary212
079% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,171
084% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft369
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Elizabeth Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elizabeth
432.1
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Elizabeth
1846.6
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth Safety

Is Elizabeth safe?
Not especially. Elizabeth earns a C- with a crime rate of 227.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Elizabeth?
227.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 432.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1846.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Elizabeth safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Elizabeth's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,171 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Elizabeth?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Elizabeth generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Elizabeth police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Elizabeth?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Elizabeth's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Elizabeth compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. Elizabeth ranks behind about 64% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Elizabeth to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Elizabeth?
Bad. A C- grade and 227.9 per-thousand rate put Elizabeth below 70% of US cities. Violent crime at 432 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Elizabeth?
432.1 per 100,000, which is 19% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (284), robbery (79), 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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