Somerset County Crime & Safety

Somerset County, New Jersey

Safety Score

69/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

720.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

48.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

671.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

69/100

Higher = safer

State avg 40/100

State Safety Rank

of 21 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Somerset County, New Jersey

Somerset boasts an elite safety profile

Somerset County's total crime rate of 720.6 per 100K is less than one-third of the national average of 2385.5. This leads to an exceptional safety score of 98.9 out of 100.

A leader in Garden State safety

Somerset ranks as one of the safest counties in the state, with its safety score of 98.9 easily beating the New Jersey average of 97.6. Its total crime rate is roughly 50% lower than the state benchmark of 1525.9.

Safer than most regional neighbors

Somerset provides a more secure environment than adjacent Union County, where crime rates are much higher. Local safety is managed effectively by 22 reporting agencies across the county.

Low violent crime rates set Somerset apart

The county reports only 48.7 violent crimes per 100K, a fraction of the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also exceptionally low at 671.9 per 100K residents.

Smart security for Somerset residents

Maintaining these low rates requires continued community awareness and residential vigilance. Simple additions like doorbell cameras can further deter the property crimes that make up the majority of local incidents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Somerset County, NJ?

Somerset County has a total crime rate of 720.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (48.7 per 100K) and property crimes (671.9 per 100K).

Is Somerset County, NJ safe?

Somerset County has a safety score of 69/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #4 out of 21 counties in New Jersey for safety (1 = safest).

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

What types of crime are most common in Somerset County?

The county reports only 48.7 violent crimes per 100K, a fraction of the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also exceptionally low at 671.9 per 100K residents.

How is crime data measured and reported for Somerset County?

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

Somerset County has a safety score of 69/100, 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.