Salem County Crime & Safety

Salem County, New Jersey

Safety Score

42/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1306.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

271.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1034.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

42/100

Higher = safer

State avg 40/100

State Safety Rank

#10

of 21 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Salem County, New Jersey

Salem County outperforms national safety averages

Salem County maintains a total crime rate of 1306.3 per 100K, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2385.5. The county earns a high safety score of 97.9 out of 100, reflecting its status as a secure community.

Solid safety standing within New Jersey

With a safety score of 97.9, Salem ranks slightly above the New Jersey state average of 97.6. The county's total crime rate of 1306.3 also sits below the statewide average of 1525.9 per 100K residents.

Safe rural living compared to neighbors

Salem County offers a quieter alternative to more urban neighbors, though its violent crime rate of 271.4 is higher than the state average of 198.7. Local law enforcement across 11 agencies works to keep this rural area safer than many adjacent metropolitan corridors.

Property crime drives local incident rates

Property crime accounts for 1034.9 of the total incidents per 100K, while violent crime remains relatively low at 271.4. Residents are nearly four times more likely to experience a property-related issue than a violent encounter.

Stay proactive about home security

Even with a high safety score, residents should focus on preventing property crime through basic security measures. Installing smart lighting and alarm systems helps maintain Salem's peaceful environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Salem County, NJ?

Salem County has a total crime rate of 1306.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (271.4 per 100K) and property crimes (1034.9 per 100K).

Is Salem County, NJ safe?

Salem County has a safety score of 42/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #10 out of 21 counties in New Jersey for safety (1 = safest).

How does Salem County crime compare to the New Jersey average?

What types of crime are most common in Salem County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Salem County?

Crime data for Salem 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 Salem County safer than the New Jersey average?

Salem County has a safety score of 42/100, which is above the New Jersey 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.