A Complete Guide to the 10 Safest Towns in New Jersey

If safety tops your list of must-haves when choosing a place to live, New Jersey might surprise you. This state is generally safer than many states, but crime varies widely by city. 

Most of its cities and towns, including Hopatcong and Vernon, have a much lower crime rate than the rest of the United States cities. With well-patrolled neighborhoods to tight community networks, each town has built a reputation for keeping residents safe.

Keep reading to learn about the safest towns in New Jersey to make a secure move. Stay tuned till the end to read about the best safety tips to stay protected in NJ towns.

Is New Jersey Safe? NJ Safety at a Glance

Overall, New Jersey is relatively safe compared to the nation. Statewide FBI data show violent crime at around 217 per 100k and property crime 1,427 per 100k, both below the USA levels. However, safety varies by city. Atlantic City and Newark see high crime, while northern counties, including Sussex and Warren, see much lower crime. 

Moreover, the crime per square mile value of New Jersey is only 66, compared to the 26.6 national average. So, New Jersey is safe on average, but you have to beware hotspots like Camden, Paterson, and Newark, whose crime rates far exceed the state norm.

How We Ranked the Safest Towns in New Jersey?

To find the safest New Jersey town, we relied on crime data from FBI reports as compiled by analytics sites. We used NeighborhoodScout (which analyzes FBI UCR data) and AreaVibes (which also uses FBI and local data) to compare crime rates for every town.

Top 10 Safest Towns in New Jersey in 2025

After consulting the NeighborhoodScout crime statistics for every NJ safest town, we have compiled a table. Upon analyzing this table, go through the detailed introduction of these towns. 

1. Hopatcong

Hopatcong’s overall crime rate is among the lowest nationally, with a total chance of crime of about 1 in 562. Violent crime is extremely rare, as there is only 1 violent incident per year reported on average. In fact, Hopatcong is safer than about 96% of New Jersey towns, making this town the safest in New Jersey. 

Contributing factors to its safety include a small population and local parks (Stephens State Park) with community policing. You can visit the lakeside neighborhoods (Lake Shawnee area) and the nearby Allamuchy Mountains without any fear.

2. Vernon Township

Being a mountain resort area, Vernon is one of NJ’s safest towns. Crime data show only about 12 violent crimes per year (virtually none compared to the population) and around 11 property crimes. While living in this town, your chance of any crime is only 1 in 687. 

According to the crime platforms, Vernon is safer than 90% of the USA towns, reflecting its rural character. Local ski resorts, nature preserves (Wawayanda State Park), and small villages are generally safe by day. 

3. New Milford

New Milford is safer than 71% of the USA cities, as crimes here are exceedingly rare. Living in this secure town, your odds of any crime are about 1 in 211. Violent crime is almost zero, as there were only 2 incidents last year, and property crime is also low (roughly 78 per year).

Moreover, the town’s safe neighborhoods (industrial park areas north of town) contribute to its reputation. Main Street has shops and the commuter train, but overall, New Milford’s small size and its working class help keep crime low.

4. Sparta Township

As a popular lake community and rural town, Sparta’s overall crime rate is about 1 in 311. Its violent crime is also negligible (2 incidents), with the crime rate of 0.15 per 1000 residents. Property crime, including thefts and burglaries, is also low, so you only have a 1 in 326 chance of being a victim. 

Sparta’s police department cites close neighborhoods (around Lake Mohawk and in the Town Center) as key safety factors. Here, popular attractions like Mountain Creek waterpark draw visitors, but crime remains rare.

5. Bernards Township

Often appearing on the safest New Jersey towns list, Bernards has overall crime odds of 1 in 224. Only about 1 violent crime occurred per year recently, with a 1 in 7,837 chance of being a victim.) Moreover, its property crimes (34 per year) give a 1 in 231 chance of victimization. 

Upscale neighborhoods (near the luxurious Somerset County estates) and rolling farmland keep crime levels down. Notable safe zones include the village center and the Wyckoff Road corridor, which have strong community watch groups.

6. Jackson Township

With a population of around 60000, Jackson reported 264 total crimes (28 violent, 236 property). Your chance of any crime in Jackson is about 1 in 228. Moreover, the violent crime rate is only 0.46 per 1000, and the property crime rate is 3.92 per 1000 residents. 

Different platforms note Jackson is safer than around 73% of the USA towns, helped by its low population density. Safe neighborhoods include Eagle Village and the Lakewood Terrace area, and even busy roads see relatively little street crime.

7. Jefferson Township

A historic rural village, Oak Ridge is extremely safe, as 92% of NJ communities had higher crime rates in 2023. The overall crime chance is about 1 in 379, with violent crime being essentially zero (6 incidents). Moreover, property crime (including thefts and burglaries) is also low, with 0.55 per 1000 residents. 

This safest town in New Jersey has many large wooded parcels, plus active rural police patrols. Popular nearby attractions like Spotswood Lake and Pyramid Mountain are well-patrolled. 

8. Ridgewood

Ridgewood has moderate overall crime, with a total crime chance of 1 in 150. On top of that, violent crime here is very rare (12 per year), with a rate of 0.46 per 1000 people. However, property crime is higher, with a 1 in 159 chance of being a victim. 

Still, Ridgewood’s total crime rate is lower than about 66% of NJ communities, thanks to strong local policing. Most of its safe parts include the downtown Ridgewood and southern sections. 

9. Mount Olive

Mount Olive’s overall crime per 100k is 1410, which is around 19% below the NJ average. Specifically, your chance of any crime in this safest NJ town is about 1 in 71. Moreover, violent crime in Mount Olive is around 52% below the national average, and property crime is 39% below.

Being mostly suburban, its neighborhoods (Cokesbury Woods, the lakefront) feel safe and family-friendly. Additionally, high homeownership and strong community involvement deter every criminal activity. 

10. Hillsborough Township

While living in Hillsborough, your chances of being a victim are about 1 in 147. Its violent crime is also negligible (only 13 per year), with the crime rate of 0.59 per 1000. Plus, the property crime rate reaches about 6.21 per 1000, with 138 incidents reported. 

Furthermore, the main safe areas include Sunnymead Road corridor and the Amwell section. Hillsborough’s combination of open space and proactive local police makes it one of the state’s safest communities.

What Are the Main Safety Concerns in New Jersey?

The biggest safety issues in the cities and towns of New Jersey include:

• Gun Violence and Assault: Though NJ has strict gun laws, residents worry about shootings. In a recent survey, New Jerseyans expressed the 3rd-highest national concern about gun violence.
• Traffic Dangers: New Jersey’s roads are congested, and crashes are common. Speeding and distracted driving also play major roles in accidents.
• Property Theft and Package Crime: Home burglaries and package theft are on the rise. Over 40% of NJ residents reported experiencing package theft in recent years. Concern about property crime climbed to 64%, the 6th-highest in the USA.
• Urban Crime Pockets: Major cities still suffer violent and gang-related crime. For instance, Atlantic City’s chance of a violent crime is 1 in 53, and Camden remains one of America’s most dangerous cities. These areas are focal points for robberies, assaults, and other felonies, so urban residents must remain vigilant.

Which Towns Do You Need to Avoid While Moving to NJ?

Despite security in the safest NJ towns, several cities consistently rank as high-crime areas. If safety is your priority, beware of:

1. Trenton

2. Camden

Camden’s overall crime rate was 4672 per 100k based on the recent data. Violent crime is widespread here (homicides, gang violence), so caution is advised.

3. Paterson

Being NJ’s second-largest city, Paterson has reported 733 violent and 2426 property crimes per 100k. Gang-related violence and robberies occur in several areas.

4. Newark

FBI data show about 733 violent and 2,010 property crimes per 100k. East and Central Ward have more incidents, but you need to be conscious at night everywhere.

5. Atlantic City

NeighborhoodScout finds it one of the top 100 most dangerous USA cities, with a 1 in 11 chance of any crime. Violent crime is prevalent (about 1 in 53 chance), particularly in the residential Westside.

How to Remain Safe in the New Jersey Dangerous Towns?

Even if you live or work in a higher-crime city, there are proven ways to improve your safety. Consider the following strategies:

Tip 1. Set Up Smart Cameras for Peace of Mind

Installing outdoor security cameras is one of the simplest ways to deter intruders and stay alert. Reliable options, such as eufyCam 3 or eufyCam 2C, offer clear 4K video and advanced night vision, with no monthly subscription fees. Mount them to cover key entry points, driveways, and any hidden corners around your home.

Tip 2. Keep Yourself Emergency-Ready

To quickly access help, save local non-emergency police and hospital numbers on speed dial. Share your daily routes with a trusted friend or relative so someone knows where you are. Moreover, carry a phone charger and use safety apps (like Citizen or NYPD apps) that send alerts about crime or allow instant check-ins. 

Tip 3. Connect with Your Neighbors

Take time to get to know the people living around you and stay in touch through group chats. You can organize a simple watch group to share updates about anything unusual in the area. When neighbors communicate, your block becomes far less appealing to potential criminals. 

Tip 4. Invest in a Smart Home Security System

For residents in high-crime parts of New Jersey, a reliable home security system can make all the difference. The eufy ExpertSecure System E10 is a great choice. It includes a central hub, motion sensors, video doorbells, and cameras that work together to secure every entry point. With its AI-powered intrusion detection, you can identify real threats fast.

With the eufy system armed through the app, homeowners in New Jersey can feel confident knowing their property is always being watched. If a door is opened unexpectedly, the system sends an instant alert, and trained monitoring professionals review the live video feed to confirm what’s happening. 

Should a real intrusion occur, they’ll immediately contact you and notify local authorities for a quick response. Even during power outages, not uncommon in certain NJ areas, the 24-hour battery and dual 4G LTE backup keep your home secure around the clock.

Conclusion

New Jersey’s overall crime rate is modest, but certain urban areas remain dangerous. By contrast, many of the safest towns in New Jersey, such as Vernon and Hopatcong, have very low crime rates. When choosing where to live, use the crime data to pick a safe location, but also prepare yourself. 

We especially recommend eufy’s ExpertSecure system, which provides advanced security, with 24/7 monitoring and no monthly fees. Its AI detection and professional monitoring prove to be perfect for peace of mind in any New Jersey town. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which part of New Jersey is safe to live in?

Generally, New Jersey’s safest areas are in the suburbs and rural parts of the north and northwest. For example, Sussex, Morris, and Somerset counties have many low-crime towns. 

Is New Brunswick, NJ, a safe place to live?

No, New Brunswick ranks as one of New Jersey’s more dangerous cities. Overall, the crime chance there is about 1 in 22 for any offense, compared to 1 in 66 statewide. 

Which NJ town has the lowest violent crime?

Among populated NJ towns, New Milford and Vernon have exceptionally low violent crime. For example, crime reports show New Milford’s chance of being a violent-crime victim is just 1 in 8445, and Vernon’s is about 1 in 8245.