Berkshire County Crime & Safety

Berkshire County, Massachusetts

Safety Score

32/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1608.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

439.6

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1168.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

32/100

Higher = safer

State avg 40/100

State Safety Rank

#11

of 14 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Berkshire County, Massachusetts

Berkshire County Stays Below National Crime Trends

Berkshire County's total crime rate of 1,608.4 per 100K remains well below the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a strong safety score of 97.5 despite its higher-than-average state ranking.

Navigating State Safety Standards

The county's safety score of 97.5 is slightly below the Massachusetts state average of 97.7. Its total crime rate of 1,608.4 is also higher than the statewide average of 1,458.6 per 100K.

Comparing Safety in Western Massachusetts

Berkshire County faces more safety challenges than neighboring Franklin County, which reports a lower crime rate of 1,049.6. However, its 23 reporting agencies work to keep the area safer than many national urban centers.

Focusing on Violent and Property Trends

The county reports 439.6 violent crimes and 1,168.8 property crimes per 100K residents. While violent crime is higher than the national average of 369.8, property crime is significantly lower than the national figure of 2,015.7.

Proactive Steps for Berkshire Residents

With property crime as the primary concern, residents should focus on securing windows and using alarm systems. Community vigilance remains a key factor in driving these local crime rates downward.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Berkshire County, MA?

Berkshire County has a total crime rate of 1608.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (439.6 per 100K) and property crimes (1168.8 per 100K).

Is Berkshire County, MA safe?

Berkshire County has a safety score of 32/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #11 out of 14 counties in Massachusetts for safety (1 = safest).

How does Berkshire County crime compare to the Massachusetts average?

The county's safety score of 97.5 is slightly below the Massachusetts state average of 97.7. Its total crime rate of 1,608.4 is also higher than the statewide average of 1,458.6 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Berkshire County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Berkshire County?

Crime data for Berkshire 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.

What is being done about crime in Berkshire County?

Berkshire County has a safety score of 32/100, which is below the Massachusetts average of 40/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.