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D

Is Jersey City, New Jersey Safe?

Population 302,013 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Jersey City faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 80% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,392 per 100K.

Jersey City Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricJersey CityNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate326.8303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2238.32034.11,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate227.0--268.2
Theft Rate1392.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate303.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

256.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

327/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2238/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Jersey City

Violent crime in Jersey City is close to the national average. The rate of 326.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2238.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,392 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Jersey City Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault227
085% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery55
087% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary400
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,392
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft303
095% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Jersey City Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Jersey City
326.8
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Jersey City
2238.3
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Jersey City Safety

Is Jersey City safe?
Not especially. Jersey City earns a D with a crime rate of 256.5 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Jersey City?
256.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 326.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2238.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Jersey City safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Jersey City's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,392 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Jersey City?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Jersey City generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Jersey City police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Jersey City?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Jersey City's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Jersey City compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. Jersey City ranks behind about 80% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Jersey City to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Jersey City?
Bad. A D grade and 256.5 per-thousand rate put Jersey City below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 327 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Jersey City?
326.8 per 100,000, which is 10% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (227), robbery (55), and murder (5.0) 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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