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D+

Is Metuchen, New Jersey Safe?

Population 15,363 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 15,363, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Metuchen earns a D+ with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,263 per 100K.

Metuchen Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMetuchenNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate334.2303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2079.42034.11,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate253.0--268.2
Theft Rate1263.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate254.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

241.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

334/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2079/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Metuchen

Violent crime in Metuchen is close to the national average. The rate of 334.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2079.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,263 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Metuchen Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault253
094% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery51
081% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary377
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,263
090% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft254
080% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Metuchen Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Metuchen
334.2
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Metuchen
2079.4
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Metuchen Safety

Is Metuchen safe?
Not especially. Metuchen earns a D+ with a crime rate of 241.4 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 Metuchen?
241.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 334.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2079.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Metuchen safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Metuchen's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,263 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Metuchen?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Metuchen generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Metuchen police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Metuchen?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Metuchen's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Metuchen compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. Metuchen ranks behind about 73% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Metuchen 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 Metuchen?
Bad. A D+ grade and 241.4 per-thousand rate put Metuchen below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 334 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Metuchen?
334.2 per 100,000, which is 8% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (253), robbery (51), 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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