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D

Is Princeton, New Jersey Safe?

Population 31,469 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Princeton runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 84% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,937 per 100K.

Princeton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPrincetonNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate343.2303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2335.32034.11,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate233.0--268.2
Theft Rate1937.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate358.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

267.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

343/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2335/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Princeton

Violent crime in Princeton is close to the national average. The rate of 343.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2335.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,937 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Princeton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault233
087% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery80
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary286
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,937
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft358
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Princeton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Princeton
343.2
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Princeton
2335.3
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Princeton Safety

Is Princeton safe?
Not especially. Princeton earns a D with a crime rate of 267.9 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 Princeton?
267.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 343.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2335.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Princeton safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Princeton's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,937 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Princeton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Princeton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Princeton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Princeton?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Princeton's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Princeton compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. Princeton ranks behind about 86% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Princeton 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 Princeton?
Bad. A D grade and 267.9 per-thousand rate put Princeton below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 343 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Princeton?
343.2 per 100,000, which is 6% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (233), robbery (80), 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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