New Jersey may be one of the smallest states in the country, but it’s got a huge population, making this the most densely populated of all fifty states. Despite the large number of people New Jersey is still a strikingly beautiful state, from the Jersey Shores to inland farms, and from the smallest villages to the biggest cities. With so many people living close by to one another you may expect crime levels to be high. In fact, the New Jersey crime index is 19% lower than the national average. Read on to find out which are the top ten safest cities in New Jersey.
1. Mahwah
The town of Mahwah, in Bergen County, in the north of the state is New Jersey’s safest city. It has a Crime Index of 99 (100 being the highest and safest), and this nice town is home to around 26,000 people. Mahwah is only around 27 miles from Manhattan.
2. Short Hills, NJ
Short Hills is what’s known as a census-designated place and it has around 13,000 residents. Located within the town of Millburn, in Essex County, Short Hills is a popular commuter town for New York City workers. The town is the second safest city in New Jersey, and has a Crime Index of 99.
3. Chesterfield, New Jersey
Set in Burlington County, in the north of New Jersey, is the township of Chesterfield. Home to around 7,700 residents Chesterfield is the third safest place to live in New Jersey and has a Crime Index of 98. Chesterfield is a very historic town, having been formed November 6, 1688.
4. Millburn
Our second place on the list that’s in Essex County is Millburn. Millburn is the fourth safest city in New Jersey, with a crime Index of 98. It’s a township with around 20,000 residents and has one of the oldest regional theatres, the paper Mill Playhouse.
5. Peapack and Gladstone
The fifth safest place in New Jersey has a slightly strange name! Peapack is thought to have come from the Lenape Native American word ‘peapackton’, meaning marriage of the waters, while Gladstone was named for the British Prime Minister. Peapack and Gladstone is the fifth safest place in New Jersey. It has a crime Index of 97.
6. Harrington Park, NJ
The Borough of Harrington Park is in Bergen County and it’s home to around 4,600 people. Harrington Park is New Jersey’s sixth safest community. It has a Crime Index of 97.
7. Fort Dix
Set around the United States Army Reserve Command known as Fort Dix this community encompasses the townships of New Hanover, Pemberton, and Springfield, and has a population around 7,700. Fort Dix is the seventh safest place to call home in New Jersey, and has a crime Index of 96.
8. Haworth
Haworth is the eighth safest town in New Jersey, and it’s the third town in Bergen County to make our list. The Crime Index rating in Haworth is 96 and this Borough is home to around 3,800 people. It was named third-best suburb in America by Business Insider in 2012.
9. Elmer
With a motto ‘The small town with the big welcome’ Elmer sounds like a lovely place to live! It’s the ninth safest city in New Jersey, so crime isn’t a major problem here, with a crime Index of 96. It’s also a ‘dry town’ where alcohol cannot be sold. Elmer is in Salem County, and hosts the annual Appel Farm Ants and Music Festival.
10. Oxford, New Jersey
Oxford is an unincorporated community, that’s set in Oxford Township in Warren County, in the north west of New Jersey. Oxford is home to around 1,100 people and it makes tenth place on our list of the safest cities in New Jersey. The Crime Index is 96.
Images Source: wikipedia
