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C+

Is South Plainfield, New Jersey Safe?

Population 24,891 · Safer than 41% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

South Plainfield is a smaller community of 24,891 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 200.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,570 per 100K.

South Plainfield Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSouth PlainfieldNew Jersey AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate239.2303.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1761.52034.11,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate158.0--268.2
Theft Rate1570.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate314.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

200.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

239/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1762/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for South Plainfield

Violent crime in South Plainfield is below the national average. The rate of 239.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1761.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,570 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

South Plainfield Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault158
059% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery59
093% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary261
097% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,570
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft314
099% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How South Plainfield Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Plainfield
239.2
State
303.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Plainfield
1761.5
State
2034.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About South Plainfield Safety

Is South Plainfield safe?
It depends on where in South Plainfield you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in South Plainfield?
200.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 239.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1761.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is South Plainfield safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. South Plainfield has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in South Plainfield?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in South Plainfield generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the South Plainfield police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in South Plainfield?
Crime rates have held steady in South Plainfield, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C+ grade.
How does South Plainfield compare to other cities in New Jersey?
Below average for the state. South Plainfield ranks behind about 66% of New Jersey cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is South Plainfield to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in South Plainfield?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 41th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in South Plainfield?
239.2 per 100,000, which is 34% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (158), robbery (59), 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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