Prosperity is nothing new in Newark! Between 2019 and 2020, the median household income in Newark grew by 6.5%, with residents making nearly $2,300 more. Newark is a great place to live, with terrific schools, exhilarating activities, and terrific jobs. But is Newark safe?
It’s true that the city has a reputation for a high crime rate. Yet the Newark crime rate is more complicated than you think. You can find great places to live and have a better understanding of crimes in Newark, New Jersey, once you get the facts. Here is your guide on everything you need to know about Newark crime.
When people think about the Newark NJ crime rate, they often think of FBI crime statistics. FBI crime statistics are a helpful tool for understanding Newark's safety, but they are not perfect. The FBI gathers its data from local law enforcement agencies. However, only 52% of law enforcement agencies reported a full year of data in 2021.
Even the reported data has problems. Not all victims report crimes to the police; according to a 2019 survey, only 40.9% of violent crimes and 32.5% of household property crimes were reported to the police. Most police departments report city-wide crimes, meaning that one neighborhood can skew the data up or down.
In order to use Newark crime statistics well, you need to look at the context. While a high Newark shooting rate can be alarming, you should examine what the rate has been over the last few years. You should also talk to residents who have lived in Newark for long periods about where the safest neighborhoods are.
The Department of Public Safety reported a total of 6,059 crimes to the FBI in 2020. The total crime rate per 100,000 residents is 2,147, which is 58.6% higher than the state average but 8.5% lower than the national average. You have a 1 in 47 chance of being a crime victim in Newark. This rate is comparable to the Jersey City crime rate, where you have a 1 in 52 chance of becoming a crime victim.
The Department of Public Safety publishes crime statistics on its website. It publishes new reports every week, and each report contains year-to-date figures so you can compare crime trends from previous years. You can look at city-wide statistics and figures from each precinct.
The department does not have a formal Newark crime map, though you can use statistics to find the safest neighborhoods in Newark NJ. Between January 1 and March 19, police officers in the 2nd Precinct received 274 complaints of crimes, the most of any precinct in the city. Police have made the most arrests in the 5th Precinct, arresting 341 people. The 6th Precinct has the fewer numbers of crimes and arrests of any precinct in Newark, with 118 complaints and 104 arrests.
The Department of Public Safety reported 1,492 violent crime offenses to the FBI in 2020. The violent crime rate is 529 offenses per 100,000 people; this rate is 170.7% higher than the state and 36.4% higher than the country. The Newark, New Jersey murder rate is 20 per 100,000 residents; this is 440.5% higher than New Jersey’s rate and 205.5% higher than America’s rate. You have a 1 in 189 chance of being a victim of violent crime.
More recent statistics suggest that trends are improving. Mayor Ras Baraka reported that homicides dropped by 15% between 2021 and 2022, at a 60-year low. The Department of Public Safety is treating crime as a public health issue, identifying areas of high crime, and sending more officers there. Community leaders, social workers, and activists are working in communities to report more crimes to the police and provide support to victims. Newark also has a lower violent crime rate than other cities; residents living in Paterson NJ report a rate of 989 offenses per 100,000 residents.
The Department of Public Safety reported 4,567 property crime offenses to the FBI in 2020. The property crime rate is 1,618 offenses per 100,000 people; this rate is 39.7% higher than the state but 17.4% lower than the country. 2,325 larceny thefts and 1,707 motor vehicle thefts occurred in 2020. You have a 1 in 62 chance of becoming a victim of property crime.
Many larceny thefts involve items being stolen out of cars. If you don’t drive a car or if you don’t park it on the street, you have a significantly lower chance of being a crime victim.
You can experience crime in any part of Newark. But many residents know these areas to be the most dangerous neighborhoods in Newark. All of the following crime rates are per 100,000 residents.
Springfield-Belmont is well-known for its high crime rates. Despite the presence of police officers throughout the neighborhood, shootings and robberies are frequent occurrences. Residents do not report feeling safe in the neighborhood, even during the daytime. Do not enter Springfield-Belmont; the community contains no major attractions or public services, so few people have reasons to visit.
Dayton is a largely undeveloped neighborhood with high crime rates, including frequent violent offenses. Weequahic Park is one of the most popular green spaces in the city. It is also a frequent site for shootings, with several people being murdered in the park in recent years. If you visit Weequahic Park, go during special events where police will be in the area.
Very few residents recommend moving to South Broad Street. The area is known for gangs and drug violence. Streets and buildings are underdeveloped, increasing your chances of having your car stolen or broken down. The neighborhood is adjacent to Route 21 and Interstate 78, so follow the road signs to avoid driving into the neighborhood. The Newark Symphony Hall is located on the northeast corner of South Broad Street; if you are going there, park your car in a garage.
West Side is best known for West Side Park, another popular green space in Newark. However, it is developing a reputation for high crime rates, including violent crime rates significantly higher than the national average. West Side High School has been the site of several shootings, including a fatal incident in August 2021.
Lower Clinton Hill is one of the most underdeveloped areas of Newark. It contains numerous empty buildings and vacant lots, and there are no current plans to redevelop the area. It is adjacent to South Broad Street, and like its neighbor, it is a site for gang and random violence. Residents do not advise new residents to move to Lower Clinton Hill or Upper Clinton Hill.
University Heights gets its name from the four colleges in its boundaries: Essex County College, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and New Jersey Medical School. Despite the presence of public safety officers on the four campuses, University Heights has a far higher crime rate than average. Residents say that Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is the hot spot for crime in University Heights. Other areas experience less crime, though you can still fall victim.
Several Newark neighborhoods have low crime rates and great amenities. Here are just a few of the places you can move to.
Forest Hill has a total crime rate of 2,054 offenses per 100,000 people, which is 12% lower than the national average. The community has 1,200 homes with a variety of architectural styles, though most are for single families. The Forest Hill Community Association promotes public safety and provides upkeep for historic homes. You can also enjoy parks like Branch Brook Park, within walking distance of any spot in the neighborhood.
North Ironbound’s total crime rate is 1,934 offenses per 100,000 people, 18% lower than the national average and 1% lower than the city rate. It is one of the best neighborhoods for young professionals, with a vibrant nightlife scene and great access to public transportation and highways. North Ironbound is also one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Newark; it is a hub for the Portuguese, Hispanic, and Latin American communities.
Upper Roseville’s total crime rate is 2,160 crimes per 100,000 residents, 8% lower than the national average. The neighborhood is very friendly to renters; three-bedroom homes and apartments covering more than 1,500 square feet are available for less than $2,500 a month. Do not confuse Upper Roseville with Lower Roseville, as they are two distinct neighborhoods. Lower Roseville has far higher crime rates than Upper Roseville.
The first police officers in Newark started their jobs in 1668. In 1773, constables were elected as peace officers, with the city divided into four watch districts. The Newark Police Department was formally established in 1857. In 2016, Mayor Ras Baraka consolidated the police department with other offices to create the Department of Public Safety. The department has a police division that answers to the department head. The current chief of police is Emanuel Miranda, who was appointed to the job in August 2022.
The police division employs 1,062 officers at a rate of four officers per 1,000 residents. The police division has several internal offices, including a Shooting Response Team that investigates all incidents of gun violence in the city. If you wish to access Newark police reports, you can visit the Newark Police Department website to find more information.
Some parts of Newark, like Springfield-Belmont, have very high crime rates. However, the majority of the city is safe.
Newark Airport is a very safe area, especially while you are in the airport itself. If you are going home from the airport, arrange a ride so you are not waiting around too long.
Downtown Newark is one of the safest parts of the city. Police presence is very high, and many points of interest have their own security teams.
Is Newark dangerous? It is true that areas of the city are unsafe, but most of Newark is safe and nice to live in. Try finding a home in Forest Hill, North Ironbound, and Upper Roseville. As long as you practice basic safety tips like parking your car off the street, you should remain safe even in more dangerous areas.
Get the safe, reliable moving services you need from the experienced Newark movers at Catlow Movers. If you’re ready to start a new life in Newark, get a free quote today by calling us at 201-653-1808.
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