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C-

Is Newark, New Jersey Safe?

Population 323,808 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Newark, New Jersey sits below average for US cities. The C- grade comes from a 240 crime rate per 1,000 and violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,395 per 100K.

Newark Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNewarkNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate401.9303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1998.52034.11,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate263.0--268.2
Theft Rate1395.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate326.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

240 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

402/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1999/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Newark

Violent crime in Newark is close to the national average. The rate of 401.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1998.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,395 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Newark Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault263
098% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery53
084% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary382
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,395
0100% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft326
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Newark Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Newark
401.9
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Newark
1998.5
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Newark Safety

Is Newark safe?
Not especially. Newark earns a C- with a crime rate of 240 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 Newark?
240 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 401.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1998.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Newark safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Newark's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,395 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Newark?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Newark generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Newark police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Newark?
Crime rates have held steady in Newark, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Newark compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. Newark ranks behind about 84% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Newark to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Newark?
Bad. A C- grade and 240 per-thousand rate put Newark below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 402 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Newark?
401.9 per 100,000, which is 10% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (263), robbery (53), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in New Jersey

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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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