Newark, NJ, is the largest city in the state of New Jersey, and its proximity to NYC is appealing to commuters. But before you settle down in Newark, you should consider how safe the city is. Knowing the local crime rate is a good place to start.
Newark is safer than about 16 percent of cities in the United States, and some neighborhoods are safer than others. The crime rate is 29.13 per 1,000 residents, with the violent crime rate at 7.59, and the property crime rate at 21.55, so it’s not impossible to find a safe area in Newark.
If you want to move to Newark, you should learn as much as you can about the city. Knowing the local crime rate is essential to finding a safe place to call home. Keep reading to learn more about Newark crime rates and how to stay safe.
Newark Violent Crime Rates
When looking at Newark crime rates, you should consider how much violent crime occurs. Each year, an average of 2,140 violent crimes happen in Newark. That works out to a crime rate of 7.59 per 1,000 residents.
You have a 1 in 132 chance of being a victim of violent crime in Newark and a 1 in 481 chance in New Jersey overall. The state’s average violent crime rate is 2.08. Violent crimes include rape, murder, and assault.
Murder
About 75 murders happen in Newark each year, and the rate is 0.27. While that’s a small fraction of the 16,000+ murders in the country, the nationwide murder rate is much lower at 0.05.
Rape
The annual rate of murders in Newark is 0.56, which comes from an average of 157 cases. Newark’s rape crime rate isn’t too far from the US average since that is 0.43. However, it’s not great. Unfortunately, the majority of rape cases don’t get reported, so the numbers could be much higher.
Rape includes any instance where the perpetrator penetrates the victim without consent. It could be with a body part or another object.
Robbery
An average year in Newark sees 705 robberies, which has a rate of 2.50 per 1,000 people. The US has about 282,061 robberies per year, but the national rate is a quarter of that at 0.86.
Robbery is similar to burglary, but it involves a threat or a force to get the victim to cooperate.
Assault
Assault is the fourth major category of violent crimes, and its average rate is 4.26. That works out to be around 1,203 cases annually. It may not sound like a lot, but the US average is 2.47, which is just over half the Newark rate.
Assault includes any crime where the victim has to stop physical harm. It usually happens with battery, which is when the perpetrator inflicts harm on the victim.
Newark Property Crime Rates
While violent crimes are more common in Newark, property crime rates are surprisingly low. The city average is still higher than that of New Jersey, but rates are lower than the rest of the country.
You have a 1 in 46 chance of being a property crime victim in Newark. The chances of that in the whole state are 1 in 71. Property crimes include burglary and theft.
Burglary
Burglars in Newark commit about 856 crimes each year, and the crime rate is 3.03. That’s slightly lower than the national rate of 3.76, which comes from 1.2 million burglaries. This is the least common type of property crime in Newark.
Burglary involves entering a building without permission, and it could be through force or an unlocked door. Usually, it also involves theft, but it can be to commit any other crime or not.
Theft
Newark has about 3,194 thefts per year on average. The rate for this crime is 11.32, which is much lower than the national rate of 15.95 thefts per 1,000 people. These numbers include thefts that do not involve motor vehicles.
Theft is a crime that occurs when the perpetrator removes an object from a building or storage without the owner’s knowledge or consent.
Motor Vehicle Theft
While other thefts happen less often in Newark, motor vehicle thefts are more common. About 2,028 motor vehicle thefts occur each year in the city, and the rate is 7.19. However, the national rate for motor vehicle thefts is a third of that, at 2.19.
Motor vehicle theft refers specifically to the act of stealing a car or another motor vehicle. It doesn’t apply to steal items from a car.
Crimes Per Square Mile
When considering how safe Newark is, you should think about where those crimes happen. The crime rate per square mile is 335 in Newark, and that includes violent and property crimes.
In the state of New Jersey, the crime rate per square mile is 59, and the national rate is 31.1. That means the geographical crime rate is over 10 times higher in Newark than in other parts of the US.
Now, this is an average for the entire city. You should also consider that some areas of Newark are safer, while others are more dangerous. Some residents may find Newark to be very safe, but that’s not the case everywhere.
Safe Neighborhoods
If you’re looking to move to Newark, NJ, you should know how safe it is. But you don’t have to worry about every neighborhood having frequent violent crimes.
Some areas of the city are surprisingly safe, so you don’t have to watch your back. Here are a few areas of Newark to consider if you want to stay away from crime and other dangerous parts of town.
Downtown
Living in Downtown Newark can be a great, safe option for many people. You have easy access to the train, so you can travel to the other side of Newark to NYC. It’s a very walkable area, so you don’t have to worry about a car.
If you work in the area, it can shorten your commute. And no matter where you work, Downtown Newark is affordable. You can buy a house or rent an apartment for less than the city average.
Ironbound District
The Ironbound District is small but has a lot to offer. You can find dozens of restaurants and shops, and it’s among the safest parts of Newark. It’s also a great area to experience Portuguese and Spanish culture due to the restaurants.
The Ironbound District has a north and a south part, and both have rising home costs. However, it’s close to Riverbank Park, and it’s also close to Downtown Newark.
Upper Roseville
Upper Roseville is another safe part of Newark, and crime in both Upper and Lower Roseville is down by eight percent. The neighborhood is close to the Light Rail, so you can easily get around Newark without driving.
It’s also a more affordable part of the city, which can be great for saving money. However, rent and house prices are on the rise. Upper Roseville is close to Downtown Newark, and it has a fantastic local park.
University Heights
Whether you’re a student or not, you can live in University Heights. It boasts four local colleges and universities, and it’s a great place for recent graduates. Rent isn’t too expensive, so students and new professionals can find affordable housing.
If you want to buy a house, you can also get a good deal in this area. The neighborhood is great for anyone who wants access to shops and entertainment.
Final Thoughts
Newark, NJ, isn’t the safest city in the US, but it does have some safe areas. If you plan to move to Newark, you should consider local crime rates and neighborhoods. That way, you can find a great place to live.