Is Newark, NJ Safe? 2026 Crime Rates & Safety Report
Key facts
- 01
Newark, New Jersey reported 714.87 motor vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 3.70 times the national reference of 193.00 per 100,000 and 521.87 per 100,000 above that reference, with 2,196 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 02
Newark, New Jersey reported 91.80 robbery offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.90 times the national reference of 48.24 per 100,000 and 43.56 per 100,000 above that reference, with 282 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 03
Newark, New Jersey reported 383.15 aggravated assault offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.67 times the national reference of 229.56 per 100,000 and 153.59 per 100,000 above that reference, with 1,177 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 04
Newark, New Jersey reported 946.98 larceny-theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 0.86 times the national reference of 1,106.97 per 100,000 and 159.99 per 100,000 below that reference, with 2,909 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 05
Newark, New Jersey reported 187.51 burglary offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.00 times the national reference of 188.15 per 100,000 and 0.64 per 100,000 below that reference, with 576 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
Quick answer
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, Newark, NJ has an adjusted safety score of 37.01 out of 100. It ranks #5 in this comparison set out of the 6 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in New Jersey. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing.
Jump to Section
2026 edition, FBI source year 2025.
Every number on this page ships in the New Jersey workbook.
Key Public Safety Indicators
Reported rates per 100,000 residents; national references shown alongside.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 282 | 91.8 | 48.24 |
1.9× national |
| Aggravated Assault | 1177 | 383.15 | 229.56 |
1.67× national |
| Burglary | 576 | 187.51 | 188.15 | 1.0× national |
| Larceny-theft | 2909 | 946.98 | 1106.97 | 0.86× national |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2196 | 714.87 | 193.0 |
3.7× national |
Comparing Newark to somewhere else? Take the file with you.
What drives Newark's safety score?
Newark ranks in the bottom quarter of the 6 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in New Jersey, ahead of approximately 17% of that scored set. The profile uses a reporting population of 307,188 and source-year data through 2025; it is a citywide agency-level comparison, not a neighborhood forecast.
The strongest of the three score components is Personal Safety at 41.17, while Property Security is lowest at 30.2. The 10.97-point spread shows why the composite should be read by component instead of as a single absolute claim about safety.
Among the five public offense indicators, Motor Vehicle Theft is highest relative to its national reference at 714.87 per 100,000 (3.7× the national rate). Larceny-theft is lowest on the same relative basis at 946.98 per 100,000 (0.86× national).
Coverage check: 18 of 18 tracked offense classes have reportable values in this profile. Missing values are not converted to zero.
Public indicator mix
Newark, New Jersey recorded 2,909 larceny-theft offenses in 2025, 40.7% of the 7,140 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 282 robbery reports (3.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Newark, New Jersey recorded 2,196 motor vehicle theft offenses in 2025, 30.8% of the 7,140 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 282 robbery reports (3.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Newark, New Jersey recorded 1,177 aggravated assault offenses in 2025, 16.5% of the 7,140 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 282 robbery reports (3.9%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Newark, New Jersey uses a reporting population of 307,188 residents and has values for 18 of the 18 tracked offense classes (100.0%) in its 2025 profile; coverage describes available classes rather than the share of residents reporting crime.
Newark, New Jersey has an adjusted score of 37.01 points out of 100 versus 74.16 in Toms River Township, New Jersey, a difference of 37.15 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Newark ranks 5 of 6 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Newark, New Jersey has an adjusted score of 37.01 points out of 100 versus 56.94 in Trenton, New Jersey, a difference of 19.93 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Newark ranks 5 of 6 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Additional tracked offense classes
- Homicide
- Rape
- Kidnapping/Abduction
- Human Trafficking
- Arson
- Theft From Building
- Theft From Motor Vehicle
- Simple Assault
- Intimidation
- Stolen Property Offenses
- Vandalism
- Weapon Law Violations
- Drug/Narcotic Violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newark safe compared to other places in New Jersey?
Newark is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 37.01 out of 100 and ranks #5 in this comparison set out of the 6 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in New Jersey.
What is the crime rate in Newark?
Public offense rates are listed above.
What is Newark's safety rating?
Newark's safety rating in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index is 37.01 out of 100, which ranks #5 in this comparison set out of the 6 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in New Jersey. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing, using source-year data through 2025.
What is the safest neighborhood in Newark?
This profile covers the reporting jurisdiction; consult local sources for neighborhood detail.
Why are some crime statistics locked for Newark?
Full offense series: state workbook.
Reading notes
Safety Atlas methodology · 2026 coverage report
Cite This Public Safety Profile
Citation formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.