NJ · 7 cities
Dangerous neighborhoods in New Jersey
New Jersey recorded 199 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 40% below the national rate and down 9% since 2022. Of the 7 cities we cover, Paterson, Newark and Jersey City have the highest rates and Lakewood the lowest. Each guide breaks down the specific blocks, transit points and hours where a little more attention pays off.
Newark
Jersey City
Edison
Elizabeth
Lakewood
Paterson
WoodbridgeFBI data · 2025
Most dangerous cities in New Jersey, ranked
The 7 New Jersey cities we cover, ordered by their official violent crime rate: murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents. 5 of 7 run above the state average of 199. A high citywide rate doesn't make a whole city unsafe: crime clusters in a few areas, and each guide above shows where.
- 1
Paterson
869 violent crimes per 100k
4.4× the state average
- 2
Newark
517 violent crimes per 100k
2.6× the state average
- 3
Jersey City
487 violent crimes per 100k
2.5× the state average
| # | City | Violent per 100k | Property per 100k | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paterson | 869 | 2,415 | 160,567 |
| 2 | Newark | 517 | 1,789 | 318,638 |
| 3 | Jersey City | 487 | 1,831 | 305,249 |
| 4 | Elizabeth | 345 | 2,410 | 141,194 |
| 5 | Woodbridge2023 | 238 | 1,860 | 103,449 |
| 6 | Edison | 179 | 1,477 | 110,617 |
| 7 | Lakewood | 129 | 482 | 143,902 |
| New Jersey average | 199 | 1,267 | ||
| US average | 330 |
Safest cities in New Jersey we cover
At the other end of the list, these have the lowest violent crime rates of the 7 cities in this ranking.
- Lakewood129 per 100k · 35% below the state average
- Edison179 per 100k · near the state average
- Woodbridge238 per 100k · near the state average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offenses reported by each city's police department per 100,000 residents; most cities use 2025 data, and a small year next to a name marks a different latest complete year. Only cities with a neighborhood guide are included, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. How we rank cities.
New Jersey crime: frequently asked questions
What is the most dangerous city in New Jersey?
Of the 7 New Jersey cities in our ranking, Paterson has the highest violent crime rate: 869 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 4.4 times the state average. Newark and Jersey City come next. Even in Paterson, crime is concentrated in a few areas, and our Paterson guide shows which ones.
What is the safest city in New Jersey?
Among the cities we rank, Lakewood has the lowest violent crime rate, at 129 per 100,000 residents in 2025, 35% below the state average. Edison follows with 179. A low citywide rate doesn't mean every block is the same, but day-to-day risk is lower.
Is New Jersey safe to visit?
For most visitors, yes, with ordinary precautions. New Jersey recorded 199 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 40% below the national rate of 330. Crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and hours rather than spread evenly, so knowing where those areas are matters more than the statewide figure; our 7 city guides cover them block by block.
Which New Jersey cities have above-average crime?
5 of the 7 cities we rank have a violent crime rate above the New Jersey average of 199 per 100,000 residents: Paterson, Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth and Woodbridge. The other 2 are below it.
Is crime going up or down in New Jersey?
Violent crime in New Jersey went from 218 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2022 to 199 in 2025, down 9%. Property crime went from 1,426 to 1,267 over 2022–2025, down 11%.
Where do these crime figures come from?
From the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which collects the offenses reported by each police department. Rates are offenses per 100,000 residents, so cities of different sizes can be compared, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. Our methodology explains the details.