Most Dangerous Cities In NJ in 2024

January 12, 2025 by Georges Benoliel

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Key Findings

The most dangerous city in New Jersey is Camden, which has a violent crime rate of 1,586 per 100,000 people, representing a staggering 321% increase over the national average. Camden also ranks as the worst city in NJ for murders, with a rate of 39 per 100,000, a shocking 550% higher than the US average.

The second most dangerous city in New Jersey is Trenton, where the violent crime rate sits at 1,289 per 100,000. Additionally, the murder rate in Trenton has risen by over 20% in recent years. Salem is the most dangerous town in NJ. This town, with a population of 5,324, reports a violent crime rate of 1,258 per 100,000 people and faces a significant poverty rate of 41%.

12 Most Dangerous Cities in New Jersey

1. Camden
2. Trenton
3. Salem
4. Asbury Park
5. Wildwood
6. Paterson
7. Penns Grove
8. Atlantic City
9. New Brunswick
10. Bridgeton
11. Irvington
12. Long Branch

1. Camden, the most Most Dangerous City in NJ

Camden is considered the most dangerous city in NJ, mainly due to its exceptionally high crime and murder rates. Sadly, the city often garners attention for negative reasons. Camden has been plagued by some of the highest crime rates in the nation, worsened by cuts to the local police force and urban decay. Currently, there are 1,586 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in this city. Law enforcement has taken proactive measures to restore a semblance of order, but the town remains unsafe as homicides and assaults continue to occur frequently. With such elevated crime rates, Camden is undeniably one of the worst places to live in NJ.

2. Trenton

Trenton is one of the most dangerous cities in NJ. Although it is the state capital and one of the largest cities in NJ, Trenton has faced crime challenges for years. The violent crime rate in Trenton is relatively high, with 1,289 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, which is over three times the national average. Property crimes are also notably high in the city. Trenton currently grapples with extremely high poverty rates, urban blight, and gang activity. While the police have attempted to reduce crime in this city, significantly more effort is needed to regain control.

3. Salem

Salem is one of the most dangerous towns in NJ. It’s also the cheapest place to live in New Jersey, with some homes selling for as little as $115,000. However, don’t be mistaken; it’s affordable due to the high crime rate. This small town has 1,258 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents. Admittedly, there are only around 5,000 residents here. What’s alarming is that more crimes have been reported than there are residents. With a poverty rate of 41%, it’s easy to understand why Salem doesn’t have a positive image.

4. Asbury Park

Asbury Park is home to Tillie, Convention Hall, and the Wonder Bar. However, don’t mistake this increasingly touristy city for a safe place. While you might enjoy visiting the boardwalk here, the reality is that this town is still recovering from the economic turmoil it faced not too long ago. There are 1,226 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents who call this place home, making it roughly as dangerous as Trenton. Gang activity remains a serious concern, even though this area has become quite gentrified in recent years.

5. Wildwood

Wildwood might not be the most violent city in NJ, but it threatens your property. This city has an astounding 6,724 property crimes per 100,000 residents, making it the worst city in New Jersey for property crime. The violent crime rate is also relatively high at 1,054 per 100,000 residents. Petty theft and break-ins have occurred here, much of which is motivated by the promise of tourist dollars. While it’s a great place to visit, that doesn’t mean it’s a wise place to stay.

6. Paterson

Paterson is another dangerous city in New Jersey that a negative reputation for violent crime has burdened, but like others on this list, conditions are improving. Much of the crime here is fueled by gang activity and heroin-related addictions. The violent crime rate in Paterson stands at 937 per 100,000 people, and many residents report feeling unsafe while walking around at night.

7. Penns Grove

Penns Grove ranks among the worst in New Jersey for its safety record. This small town has around one-third of its residents struggling with low wages. The area deals with underfunded schools and a significant gang problem. According to statistics, about 5,000 people live here. The total violent crime rate in Penns Grove is 911 per 100,000 residents, which is more than double the national average. That’s not a good look, no matter how you slice it.

8. Atlantic City

Atlantic City is among the most dangerous cities in New Jersey. Whether due to people’s desperation for gambling money or gang activity, the city faces a significant crime issue. Violent crimes occur at about 900 per 100,000 residents. The most prevalent crimes in Atlantic City include robberies, petty theft, drug dealing, and property crimes. Keep a close watch on your wallet! Although the city’s crime problem has deterred some people, it has also reduced real estate prices, making Atlantic City one of NJ’s most affordable beach towns.

9. New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of the most popular in New Jersey. Located in Middlesex County, about an hour from the dangerous cities of Manhattan, New Brunswick serves as a commuter city and a significant economic hub for Central New Jersey. It is also a college town and home to Rutgers University. However, New Brunswick has a significant crime problem, with a total crime rate of 3,021 incidents per 100,000 residents, 86% higher than the rest of New Jersey. The violent crime rate stands at 858 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 322% higher than the state average and 132% higher than the national average. Consequently, New Brunswick is considered more dangerous than 92% of cities in the U.S.

10. Bridgeton

Bridgeton is also quite a dangerous city in New Jersey. With a population of 22,771, Bridgeton is a small city on the Cohansey River near Delaware Bay in southern New Jersey. However, despite its size, Bridgeton endures a high poverty rate and ranks among the most perilous small cities in the United States. The overall crime rate is 3,891 offenses for every 100,000 residents, which is 140% higher than the state average. The violent crime rate stands at 705 offenses per 100,000 people, exceeding the rest of New Jersey by 269% and the national average by 91%. Your likelihood of becoming a victim of crime in Bridgeton is 1 in 26.

11. Irvington

Irvington is one of the worst towns in NJ due to its high crime rate. It borders Newark, which has been working hard to control crime, but Irvington has not been as fortunate. The town has been struggling with significant gang activity and rampant drug addiction. Approximately 540 violent crimes occur for every 100,000 residents. Car thefts and robberies, however, are more common than many would like to admit. Therefore, it’s best to avoid this violent New Jersey city if possible.

12. Long Branch

Long Branch is known as one of the most dangerous cities in NJ. This is surprising given its proximity to Monmouth University, one of the most expensive private colleges in the state. It’s also near several affluent towns, including Rumson and Little Silver. Unfortunately, Long Branch has some tricky areas left over from when this region was considered quite run-down. While violent crimes occur at a rate of only 453 per 100,000, property crimes happen frequently enough.

Most Dangerous Cities in NJ Bottom Line

While some cities in NJ can be hazardous, there are also many safe places to reside in the state. New Jersey is one of the safest states in the US. Although these cities may face crime challenges, the state’s overall crime rate is among the country’s lowest. So, you can feel confident that living here is a wise decision, as long as you know which areas to avoid in NJ.

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