If there is one thing the people of New Jersey can lord over their neighbors across the Hudson, it is this: of all the states, the home of the Devils is one of the safest. This is according to the most recent data collected by the FBI, which places the state’s overall violent crime right at less than half that of the country’s.
Leading the way for the state were River Vale and Bernards Townships, home to 10,000 and 27,000 respectively. Both municipalities went an entire year without a single incident of reported violent crime. And neither were they the outliers. The fifty safest cities that made our list logged violent crime rates at least 92% below the national average. Meanwhile, property crime rates averaged 74% less than the national rate.
Reports like these are in step with a year-over-year decline in violent crime throughout the state even as national rates have risen. There’s no better example of this than Camden. The city, long written off by many as irredeemably crime-ridden, has sought to redefine the job of local police in order to foster greater trust between cops and the community. The result was nothing less than a visit and praise from President Barack Obama.
“Two years ago, the police department was overhauled to implement a new model of community policing,” Obama explained in a 2015 speech. “They doubled the size of the force—while keeping it unionized. They cut desk jobs in favor of getting more officers out into the streets. Not just to walk the beat, but to actually get to know the residents—to set up basketball games, to volunteer in schools, to participate in reading programs, to get to know the small businesses in the area.” These efforts achieved an impressive 47% decline in murder and a 65% decline in open-air drug markets.
Of course, until crime is completely stamped out there will always be room for progress. Until then, you can explore safety resources in our New Jersey Safety Directory.
The 50 Safest Cities in New Jersey by Rank
1–25
1. River Vale Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 10,053
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0
Property crimes per 1,000: 2.59
Total crimes: 0% violent, 100% property
2. Bernards Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 27,024
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0
Property crimes per 1,000: 3.48
Total crimes: 0% violent, 100% property
3. Warren Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 16,051
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.06
Property crimes per 1,000: 3.43
Total crimes: 1.82% violent, 98.18% property
4. Highland Park
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 14,346
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.07
Property crimes per 1,000: 12.48
Total crimes: 0.56% violent, 99.44% property
5. Berkeley Heights Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 13,548
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.07
Property crimes per 1,000: 6.57
Total crimes: 1.12% violent, 98.88% property
6. Clinton Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 12,933
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.08
Property crimes per 1,000: 3.25
Total crimes: 2.38% violent, 97.62% property
7. New Providence
Region: North Jersey
Population: 12,461
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.08
Property crimes per 1,000: 4.49
Total crimes: 1.79% violent, 98.21% property
8. Glen Rock
Region: North Jersey
Population: 12,014
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.08
Property crimes per 1,000: 6.16
Total crimes: 1.35% violent, 98.65% property
9. Raritan Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 22,011
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.09
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.09%
Total crimes: 1.79% violent, 98.21% property
10. Sparta Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 19,049
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.10
Property crimes per 1,000: 4.09
Total crimes: 2.56% violent, 97.44% property
11. Monroe Township, Middlesex County
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 44,923
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.11
Property crimes per 1,000: 3.61
Total crimes: 3.09% violent, 96.91% property
12. New Milford
Region: North Jersey
Population: 16,804
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.12
Property crimes per 1,000: 2.44
Total crimes: 4.88% violent, 95.12% property
13. Saddle Brook Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 14,108
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.14
Property crimes per 1,000: 17.72
Total crimes: 0.80% violent, 99.20% property
14. Mahwah Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 26,588
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.15
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.64
Total crimes: 2.67% violent, 97.33% property
15. Hopewell Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 18,570
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.16
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.39
Total crimes: 3% violent, 97% property
16. Westfield
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 30,427
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.16
Property crimes per 1,000: 8.38
Total crimes: 1.96% violent, 98.04% property
17. Dumont
Region: North Jersey
Population: 18,010
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.17
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.27
Total crimes: 3.16% violent, 96.84% property
18. Montgomery Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 23,160
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.17
Property crimes per 1,000: 4.02
Total crimes: 4.30% violent, 95.70% property
19. Haddonfield
Region: South Jersey
Population: 11,323
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.18
Property crimes per 1,000: 16.87
Total crimes: 1.05% violent, 98.95% property
20. Westwood
Region: North Jersey
Population: 11,252
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.18
Property crimes per 1,000: 4.35
Total crimes: 4.08% violent, 95.92% property
21. East Hanover Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 11,233
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.18
Property crimes per 1,000: 11.75
Total crimes: 1.52% violent, 98.48% property
22. Denville Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 16,759
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.18
Property crimes per 1,000: 4.83
Total crimes: 3.70% violent, 96.30% property
23. Madison
Region: North Jersey
Population: 16,098
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.19
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.96
Total crimes: 3.13% violent, 96.87% property
24. Randolph Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 25,877
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.19
Property crimes per 1,000: 4.91
Total crimes: 3.94% violent, 96.06% property
25. Pequannock Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 15,425
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.19
Property crimes per 1,000: 6.94
Total crimes: 2.80% violent, 97.20% property
25–50
26. Waldwick
Region: North Jersey
Population: 10,134
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.20
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.82
Total crimes: 3.39% violent, 96.61% property
27. Point Pleasant
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 18,502
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.22
Property crimes per 1,000: 8.54
Total crimes: 2.53% violent, 97.47% property
28. Verona
Region: North Jersey
Population: 13,523
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.22
Property crimes per 1,000: 6.06
Total crimes: 3.66% violent, 96.34% property
29. Jackson Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 56,563
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.23
Property crimes per 1,000: 8.36
Total crimes: 2.75% violent, 97.25% property
30. Woolwich Township
Region: South Jersey
Population: 12,675
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.24
Property crimes per 1,000: 3.87
Total crimes: 6.12% violent, 93.88% property
31. Cedar Grove Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 12,603
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.24
Property crimes per 1,000: 7.93
Total crimes: 3.00% violent, 97.00% property
32. Holmdel Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 16,651
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.24
Property crimes per 1,000: 9.97
Total crimes: 2.41% violent, 97.59% property
33. Ringwood
Region: North Jersey
Population: 12,427
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.24
Property crimes per 1,000: 4.82
Total crimes: 5.00% violent, 95.00% property
34. Marlboro Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 40,764
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.25
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.96
Total crimes: 4.12% violent, 95.88% property
35. Clark Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 15,609
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.26
Property crimes per 1,000: 11.34
Total crimes: 2.26% violent, 97.74% property
36. Middleton Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 65,919
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.26
Property crimes per 1,000: 6.61
Total crimes: 3.90% violent, 96.10% property
37. Ridgefield
Region: North Jersey
Population: 11,380
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.26
Property crimes per 1,000: 5.10
Total crimes: 5.17% violent, 94.83% property
38. Mantua Township
Region: South Jersey
Population: 14,939
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.27
Property crimes per 1,000: 18.27
Total crimes: 1.47% violent, 98.53% property
39. Vernon Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 22,359
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.27
Property crimes per 1,000: 9.21
Total crimes: 2.91% violent, 97.09% property
40. Tenafly
Region: North Jersey
Population: 14,877
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.27
Property crimes per 1,000: 4.57
Total crimes: 5.88% violent, 94.12% property
41. Ridgewood
Region: North Jersey
Population: 25,617
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.27
Property crimes per 1,000: 8.00
Total crimes: 3.41% violent, 96.59% property
42. Waterford Township
Region: South Jersey
Population: 10,720
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.28
Property crimes per 1,000: 7.09
Total crimes: 3.95% violent, 96.05% property
43. Hillsdale
Region: North Jersey
Population: 10,569
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.28
Property crimes per 1,000: 3.31
Total crimes: 8.57% violent, 91.43% property
44. Chatham Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 10,555
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.28
Property crimes per 1,000: 3.98
Total crimes: 7.14% violent, 92.86% property
45. Cranford Township
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 24,324
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.29
Property crimes per 1,000: 7.15
Total crimes: 4.02% violent, 95.98% property
46. Metuchen
Region: Central Jersey
Population: 13,879
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.29
Property crimes per 1,000: 12.75
Total crimes: 2.26% violent, 97.74% property
47. Bergenfield
Region: North Jersey
Population: 27,646
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.29
Property crimes per 1,000: 3.58
Total crimes: 8.08% violent, 91.92% property
48. Wyckoff Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 17,242
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.29
Property crimes per 1,000: 6.03
Total crimes: 4.81% violent, 95.19% property
49. Wayne Township
Region: North Jersey
Population: 55,023
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.31
Property crimes per 1,000: 20.34
Total crimes: 1.52% violent, 98.48% property
50. Edgewater
Region: North Jersey
Population: 12,079
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.33
Property crimes per 1,000: 11.67
Total crimes: 2.84% violent, 97.16% property
Top 50 Safest Cities in New Jersey
| Rank | City | Population | Violent Crime | Property Crime | Region |
| 1 | River Vale Township | 10,053 | 0.00000 | 2.58629 | North Jersey |
| 2 | Bernards Township | 27,024 | 0.00000 | 3.47839 | North Jersey |
| 3 | Warren Township | 16,051 | 0.06230 | 3.42658 | North Jersey |
| 4 | Highland Park | 14,346 | 0.06971 | 12.47735 | Central Jersey |
| 5 | Berkeley Heights Township | 13,548 | 0.07381 | 6.56924 | North Jersey |
| 6 | Clinton Township | 12,933 | 0.07732 | 3.24751 | Central Jersey |
| 7 | New Providence | 12,461 | 0.08025 | 4.49402 | North Jersey |
| 8 | Glen Rock | 12,014 | 0.08324 | 6.15948 | North Jersey |
| 9 | Raritan Township | 22,011 | 0.09086 | 5.08837 | Central Jersey |
| 10 | Sparta Township | 19,049 | 0.10499 | 4.09470 | North Jersey |
| 11 | Monroe Township, Middlesex County | 44,923 | 0.11130 | 3.60617 | Central Jersey |
| 12 | New Milford | 16,804 | 0.11902 | 2.43990 | North Jersey |
| 13 | Saddle Brook Township | 14,108 | 0.14176 | 17.72044 | North Jersey |
| 14 | Mahwah Township | 26,588 | 0.15044 | 5.64164 | North Jersey |
| 15 | Hopewell Township | 18,570 | 0.16155 | 5.38503 | Central Jersey |
| 16 | Westfield | 30,427 | 0.16433 | 8.38071 | Central Jersey |
| 17 | Dumont | 18,010 | 0.16657 | 5.27485 | North Jersey |
| 18 | Montgomery Township | 23,160 | 0.17271 | 4.01554 | Central Jersey |
| 19 | Haddonfield | 11,323 | 0.17663 | 16.86832 | South Jersey |
| 20 | Westwood | 11,252 | 0.17775 | 4.35478 | North Jersey |
| 21 | East Hanover Township | 11,233 | 0.17805 | 11.75109 | North Jersey |
| 22 | Denville Township | 16,759 | 0.17901 | 4.83322 | North Jersey |
| 23 | Madison | 16,098 | 0.18636 | 5.96347 | North Jersey |
| 24 | Randolph Township | 25,877 | 0.19322 | 4.90783 | North Jersey |
| 25 | Pequannock Township | 15,425 | 0.19449 | 6.93679 | North Jersey |
| 26 | Waldwick | 10,134 | 0.19736 | 5.82199 | North Jersey |
| 27 | Point Pleasant | 18,502 | 0.21619 | 8.53962 | Central Jersey |
| 28 | Verona | 13,523 | 0.22184 | 6.06374 | North Jersey |
| 29 | Jackson Township | 56,563 | 0.22983 | 8.36236 | Central Jersey |
| 30 | Woolwich Township | 12,675 | 0.23669 | 3.86588 | South Jersey |
| 31 | Cedar Grove Township | 12,603 | 0.23804 | 7.93462 | North Jersey |
| 32 | Holmdel Township | 16,651 | 0.24023 | 9.96937 | Central Jersey |
| 33 | Ringwood | 12,427 | 0.24141 | 4.82820 | North Jersey |
| 34 | Marlboro Township | 40,764 | 0.24531 | 5.96114 | Central Jersey |
| 35 | Clark Township | 15,609 | 0.25626 | 11.33961 | Central Jersey |
| 36 | Middletown Township | 65,919 | 0.25789 | 6.61418 | Central Jersey |
| 37 | Ridgefield | 11,380 | 0.26362 | 5.09666 | North Jersey |
| 38 | Mantua Township | 14,939 | 0.26776 | 18.27432 | South Jersey |
| 39 | Vernon Township | 22,359 | 0.26835 | 9.21329 | North Jersey |
| 40 | Tenafly | 14,877 | 0.26887 | 4.57081 | North Jersey |
| 41 | Ridgewood | 25,617 | 0.27326 | 8.00250 | North Jersey |
| 42 | Waterford Township | 10,720 | 0.27985 | 7.08955 | South Jersey |
| 43 | Hillsdale | 10,569 | 0.28385 | 3.31157 | North Jersey |
| 44 | Chatham Township | 10,555 | 0.28423 | 3.97916 | North Jersey |
| 45 | Cranford Township | 24,324 | 0.28778 | 7.15343 | Central Jersey |
| 46 | Metuchen | 13,879 | 0.28821 | 12.75308 | Central Jersey |
| 47 | Bergenfield | 27,646 | 0.28937 | 3.58099 | North Jersey |
| 48 | Wyckoff Township | 17,242 | 0.28999 | 6.03178 | North Jersey |
| 49 | Wayne Township | 55,023 | 0.30896 | 20.33695 | North Jersey |
| 50 | Edgewater | 12,079 | 0.33115 | 11.67315 | North Jersey |
How We Chose the Safest Cities in New Jersey
To identify the fifty safest cities in New Jersey, we reviewed the 2016 FBI crime report statistics and population data. Cities that fell below identified population thresholds or that failed to submit a complete crime report to the FBI were excluded from the ranking system.
Our evaluation is based on the number of reported violent crimes (aggravated assault, murder, rape,
and robbery) in each city. If there was a tie, we also factored in the number of property crimes (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft). To level the playing field, we calculated the rate of crimes per 1,000 people in each city. This makes it easier to directly compare the likelihood of these crimes occurring in cities with vastly different populations.
How to Make a Safe Home Anywhere
Wherever you live, feeling safe in your home can bring greater peace of mind and happiness. Whether your city made our list or not, we recommend adding extra security to your home with monitored security services provided by the nation’s leading home security providers.
To learn more about the home security options available to you, check out SafeWise’s picks for Best Home Security Systems of 2018.
If you would like to contact a SafeWise Safest Cities Analyst, please email info@safewise.com.
Written by Tamarra Kemsley
Tamarra graduated with a BA in communications in 2012 and with an MA in Islam and the Middle East from Jerusalem's Hebrew University in 2015. You can follow her on Twitter @tamarranicole. Learn more
