Which Cities Are the Most Dangerous in New Jersey? Top 10 Cities Ranked for 2025

Trains, bridges, backroads, highways—you name it, New Jersey packs more movement into one state than almost anywhere else. And every route tells a different story about the towns it passes through.

Is New Jersey a Safe State?

Safety always depends on where someone stands in the state. A glance at the statewide data fromthe New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety helps set the scene. Violent crime fell from 23,004 to 22,899 back in 2015, while robbery dropped more than seven percent. A rise in rape reports came from an expanded FBI definition, not from a sudden wave of assaults. State officials pointed out that shootings and homicides in urban pockets remain a priority.

Fast-forward a few years, and aggravated-assault trends tell a clear story. New Jersey sits well below national levels from 2021 through 2025. A steady pattern forms: fewer assaults per 100,000 people than the United States average, month after month. That gap offers some comfort, yet everyone knows a state can look peaceful on paper while a few cities carry far heavier burdens.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in New Jersey

The ranking reflects New Jersey's crime rate, particularly the violent-crime and property-crime rates, from the FBI's statewide data. Population size plays a role because small towns often show extreme numbers due to tiny populations. Larger cities with heavy foot traffic or intense economic stress also appear high for obvious reasons.

1. Camden

Many conversations about cities in jersey jump straight to Camden, and not without reason. More than 1,100 violent crimes and 2,100 property crimes were recorded among roughly 73,000 residents. The Camden NJ crime rate remains one of the highest in the state. Long-term poverty, abandoned properties, and gun-violence clusters push the numbers upward year after year. Community programs keep expanding, yet several blocks still struggle heavily with assaults, robberies, and break-ins.

2. Salem

Salem barely reaches 5,000 residents, yet more than 70 violent crimes and 227 property crimes landed within a single year. A small population magnifies every incident. Many locals point to the loss of old industries, limited public resources, and aging housing as factors that feed recurring trouble around certain streets.

3. Asbury Park

Tourists see bright colors near the boardwalk. Residents know a different rhythm inland. Asbury Park logged 179 violent crimes and 525 property crimes among about 15,000 people. Nightlife draws visitors from across the region, and that flow invites theft, assaults, and disturbances near the busiest blocks. Redevelopment helped parts of the city, but several neighborhoods still carry a far heavier load.

4. Trenton

New Jersey’s capital remains a constant point of concern. More than 937 violent crimes and 1,748 property crimes occurred among about 83,000 residents. Gun-violence clusters remain active across specific districts. Auto theft keeps rising. Repeat-offender cycles appear across several parts of the city. Police and community groups continue pushing new strategies, yet the numbers still sit near the top in the entire state.

5. Penns Grove

Another small borough with tough conditions. Penns Grove reported 51 violent crimes and 154 property crimes while housing fewer than 5,000 people. Closely packed homes, limited job access, and frequent turnover among renters drive a lot of neighborhood disorder. Break-ins and assaults strike the same pockets over and over.

6. Bridgeton

Bridgeton logged 223 violent crimes and 848 property crimes within a population of around 24,000. Anyone familiar with the area knows certain corridors struggle with persistent poverty and limited commercial activity. Theft, burglary, and assault reports flood police logs each year. Community-safety projects have grown, yet many incidents still cluster in predictable zones.

7. Atlantic City

Millions of visitors, flashing lights, and round-the-clock nightlife create a unique environment. Atlantic City recorded 323 violent crimes and 1,738 property crimes among about 37,000 residents. Hotel-area break-ins, tourist-targeted theft, and alcohol-related assaults appear often. The city offers energy and entertainment, but visitors and residents feel crime pressure far more intensely than in quieter parts of the state.

8. Paterson

Paterson’s size contributes to large totals: 1,219 violent crimes and 3,132 property crimes among nearly 145,000 residents. Dense housing, gang conflicts, and economic distress blend into a difficult mix. Shootings and robberies hit certain neighborhoods repeatedly. Authorities continue pouring effort into monitoring high-risk blocks, yet progress often feels slow.

9. Elizabeth

Elizabeth recorded 926 violent crimes and 3,898 property crimes among nearly 129,000 people. Traffic from major highways, the port, and airport movement brings opportunity for theft and assaults. Cargo theft plays a role. Auto theft remains a constant problem. New residents often feel surprised once they compare numbers with nearby suburbs.

10. Orange

Orange saw 190 violent crimes and 635 property crimes among roughly 30,000 residents. Violence concentrates in several neighborhoods shaped by long-standing underinvestment. Programs supporting youth, families, and community patrols have grown in recent years, yet many blocks still report regular disturbances.

If We Only Consider NJ Cities With 10,000+ Residents

When applying a population-size filter—only cities with at least 10,000 residents—the ranking shifts toward more urbanized, widely recognized cities. Under this filter, the top 10 highest-risk cities in NJ become:

1. Camden: Known for long-term violent-crime pressure and consistently high totals.
2. Trenton: The state capital with heavy year-round crime clusters.
3. Asbury Park: Tourism brings activity but also steady robberies and assaults inland.
4. Bridgeton: High numbers tied to concentrated poverty and dense neighborhoods.
5. Atlantic City: Visitor traffic fuels frequent theft, break-ins, and nightlife-related incidents.
6. Paterson: One of the largest cities in Jerseywith persistent gang-related violence.
7. Elizabeth: Busy port and airport movement contribute to elevated theft and assault numbers.
8. Orange: Several blocks continue to experience recurring violent and property-crime incidents.
9. Newark: The Newark NJ crime rateremains higher than the statewide average, even with noticeable improvements over the past decade.
10. Passaic: Dense housing and limited economic mobility contribute to consistent crime activity.

How to Stay Safe in Dangerous Places in New Jersey

A person can live or travel through high-crime pockets without feeling overwhelmed. A few precautions go a long way, especially when walking through cities with difficult reputations.

• Stick to well-lit streets at night.
• Avoid back passages behind buildings where visibility is low.
• Keep valuables out of sight when parking in areas known for auto theft.
• Check local police alerts before heading into neighborhoods you don’t know well.
• If you live near a zone with frequent break-ins, consider a full security system: the eufy ExpertSecure System E10 supports professional monitoring + AI alerts for intrusions, fire or flood risks.

• Move confidently through nightlife districts rather than dawdling or standing alone.
• Be aware of where the open businesses are and how many exits you could use if things felt unsafe.
• For homeowners in dense cities, adding outdoor cameras gives extra peace of mind; the eufyCam S3 Pro 2-Cam Kit brings 4K resolution and weatherproofing for outdoor-ready monitoring.

• When loading bags into your car, stay alert and avoid shadows or isolated spots.
• Renters sharing entrances or living in older buildings should upgrade their door security: the eufy Video Smart Lock S330 integrates video, fingerprint unlock, and doorbell functions into one device for smart front-door control.

Top 5 Safest Cities in New Jersey

A few communities stand out for low crime levels, strong schools, and steady local investment. Anyone researching the safest cities in New Jersey usually sees some familiar names repeated across multiple years. A quick look:

• River Vale: Known for quiet residential areas, strong community presence, and a long history of low crime patterns. Families often choose River Vale for the sense of stability and predictability found throughout its neighborhoods.
• Chatham: A township with close community ties and very active local programs supporting safety and youth development. Residents often describe the town as peaceful and comfortable, with well-maintained streets and reliable public services.
• Bernards Township: Popular among commuters who want a balanced lifestyle. Public safety, school quality, and steady local investment help shape a community where incidents are rare and daily life feels calm.
• Mendham Township: Large homes, open outdoor spaces, and strong resident involvement contribute to a consistently low-risk environment. People often mention the township’s “quiet confidence” when talking about safety.
• Warren Township: Viewed as one of the most stable suburban communities in the state. Clean neighborhoods, engaged residents, and very few reported disturbances help create a secure place to live.

Summary

New Jersey carries two realities at once. A statewide trend pointing toward lower violent-crime levels, and a handful of cities carrying extremely heavy burdens. Anyone living in or visiting the state benefits from knowing how each city differs, where trouble concentrates, and where peace dominates the landscape.