Barnstable County Crime & Safety

Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Safety Score

56/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1011.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

271.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

740.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

56/100

Higher = safer

State avg 40/100

State Safety Rank

of 14 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Barnstable County Ranks Among the Nation's Safest

Barnstable County reports a total crime rate of 1,011.6 per 100K, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This impressive performance earns the county a high safety score of 98.4 out of 100.

A Leader in Massachusetts Public Safety

With a safety score of 98.4, Barnstable outperforms the Massachusetts state average of 97.7. Its crime rate sits significantly lower than the statewide average of 1,458.6 incidents per 100K residents.

Outperforming Its Coastal Neighbors

Barnstable is considerably safer than nearby Bristol County, which has a higher crime rate of 1,502.6 per 100K. The 17 reporting agencies on the Cape maintain one of the lowest crime profiles in the region.

Low Rates Across All Crime Categories

Property crime accounts for 740.5 incidents per 100K, while the violent crime rate remains low at 271.1. These figures are well below the national violent crime average of 369.8 and the national property crime average of 2,015.7.

Maintaining a Secure Coastal Community

Residents can help keep these numbers low by investing in smart home technology and motion-sensor lighting. While the county is very safe, staying proactive about home security preserves the area's high quality of life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Barnstable County, MA?

Barnstable County has a total crime rate of 1011.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (271.1 per 100K) and property crimes (740.5 per 100K).

Is Barnstable County, MA safe?

Barnstable County has a safety score of 56/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #1 out of 14 counties in Massachusetts for safety (1 = safest).

How does Barnstable County crime compare to the Massachusetts average?

What types of crime are most common in Barnstable County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Barnstable County?

Crime data for Barnstable County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

Why is Barnstable County safer than the Massachusetts average?

Barnstable County has a safety score of 56/100, which is above the Massachusetts average of 40/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.