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D

Is Plainfield, New Jersey Safe?

Population 57,141 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Plainfield runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 83% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,585 per 100K.

Plainfield Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPlainfieldNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate328.0303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2340.12034.11,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate240.0--268.2
Theft Rate1585.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate231.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

266.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

328/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2340/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Plainfield

Violent crime in Plainfield is close to the national average. The rate of 328.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2340.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,585 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Plainfield Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault240
089% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery48
076% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary250
093% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,585
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft231
073% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Plainfield Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Plainfield
328.0
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Plainfield
2340.1
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Plainfield Safety

Is Plainfield safe?
Not especially. Plainfield earns a D with a crime rate of 266.8 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 Plainfield?
266.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 328.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2340.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Plainfield safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Plainfield's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,585 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Plainfield?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Plainfield generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Plainfield police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Plainfield?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Plainfield's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Plainfield compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. Plainfield ranks behind about 82% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Plainfield 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 Plainfield?
Bad. A D grade and 266.8 per-thousand rate put Plainfield below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 328 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Plainfield?
328.0 per 100,000, which is 10% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (240), robbery (48), and murder (7.0) 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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