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C-

Is Paterson, New Jersey Safe?

Population 161,793 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Paterson means there's room for concern. The 237.8 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime above the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,584 per 100K.

Paterson Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPatersonNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate457.5303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1920.72034.11,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate348.0--268.2
Theft Rate1584.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate470.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

237.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD-

458/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1921/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Paterson

Violent crime in Paterson is above the national average. The rate of 457.5 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1920.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,584 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 348 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Paterson Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault348
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery50
079% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary280
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,584
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft470
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Paterson Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Paterson
457.5
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Paterson
1920.7
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Paterson Safety

Is Paterson safe?
Not especially. Paterson earns a C- with a crime rate of 237.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Paterson?
237.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 457.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1920.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Paterson safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Paterson's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,584 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Paterson?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Paterson generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Paterson police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Paterson?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Paterson's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Paterson compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. Paterson ranks behind about 77% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Paterson 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 Paterson?
Bad. A C- grade and 237.8 per-thousand rate put Paterson below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 458 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Paterson?
457.5 per 100,000, which is 26% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (348), robbery (50), and murder (4.0) 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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