Dukes County Crime & Safety

Dukes County, Massachusetts

Safety Score

37/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1455.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

506.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

949.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

37/100

Higher = safer

State avg 40/100

State Safety Rank

of 14 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Dukes County, Massachusetts

Dukes County Offers a Secure Island Environment

Dukes County reports 1,455.5 total crimes per 100K, far lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a safety score of 97.7, reflecting its status as a safe haven.

Matching the Massachusetts State Average

Dukes County’s safety score of 97.7 perfectly matches the state average for Massachusetts. Its total crime rate of 1,455.5 is also nearly identical to the statewide average of 1,458.6 per 100K.

Safer than the Mainland Neighbors

The island's crime rate of 1,455.5 is slightly lower than Bristol County's 1,502.6. Local law enforcement across 7 agencies effectively manages the unique seasonal population shifts that affect the area.

Understanding the Violent Crime Spike

The county has a violent crime rate of 506.3 per 100K, which is higher than the state average of 351.1. However, the property crime rate is quite low at 949.2 compared to the national average of 2,015.7.

Protecting Your Island Property

Securing seasonal homes with remote monitoring systems is a smart move for Dukes County property owners. Simple habits like locking all entry points help maintain the island's reputation for safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Dukes County, MA?

Dukes County has a total crime rate of 1455.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (506.3 per 100K) and property crimes (949.2 per 100K).

Is Dukes County, MA safe?

Dukes County has a safety score of 37/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #9 out of 14 counties in Massachusetts for safety (1 = safest).

How does Dukes County crime compare to the Massachusetts average?

Dukes County’s safety score of 97.7 perfectly matches the state average for Massachusetts. Its total crime rate of 1,455.5 is also nearly identical to the statewide average of 1,458.6 per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Dukes County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Dukes County?

Crime data for Dukes 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 Dukes County?

Dukes County has a safety score of 37/100, 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.