Essex County Crime & Safety

Essex County, Massachusetts

Safety Score

52/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1066.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

284.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

782.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

52/100

Higher = safer

State avg 40/100

State Safety Rank

of 14 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Essex County, Massachusetts

Essex County Among Top National Performers

Essex County’s total crime rate of 1,066.9 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This strong data results in an impressive safety score of 98.3.

Outpacing the Massachusetts State Average

With a safety score of 98.3, Essex County ranks higher than the state average of 97.7. Its crime rate of 1,066.9 is significantly better than the Massachusetts average of 1,458.6.

A Regional Safety Leader

Essex County is notably safer than Bristol County, which reports a crime rate of 1,502.6. The 42 reporting agencies in Essex effectively manage safety in this densely populated region.

Violent and Property Crime are Low

Violent crime sits at 284.7 and property crime at 782.2 per 100K, both well below national benchmarks. These figures highlight the county's success in maintaining public order across its many municipalities.

Smart Security for Essex Residents

To keep property crime rates low, residents should utilize motion-activated lighting and smart home security systems. Community vigilance and reporting suspicious activity help the local police maintain this high safety standard.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Essex County, MA?

Essex County has a total crime rate of 1066.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (284.7 per 100K) and property crimes (782.2 per 100K).

Is Essex County, MA safe?

Essex County has a safety score of 52/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #4 out of 14 counties in Massachusetts for safety (1 = safest).

How does Essex County crime compare to the Massachusetts average?

With a safety score of 98.3, Essex County ranks higher than the state average of 97.7. Its crime rate of 1,066.9 is significantly better than the Massachusetts average of 1,458.6.

What types of crime are most common in Essex County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Essex County?

Crime data for Essex 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 Essex County safer than the Massachusetts average?

Essex County has a safety score of 52/100, 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.