C-
72%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
43%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
94%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleCape May/100k peopleNew Jersey/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime114n/a (estimate)4,0071,6202,324
Murder0n/a0.03.16.3
Rape0n/a0.016.840.0
Robbery0n/a0.047.666.1
Assault6n/a210.9135.4268.2
Violent crime6n/a (estimate)211203370
Burglary3n/a105.4148.0269.8
Theft100n/a3,514.91,109.11,401.9
Vehicle theft5n/a175.7159.6282.7
Property crime108n/a (estimate)3,7961,4171,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Cape May, NJ

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Cape May is 72.4% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Cape May, there were 6 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 211 per 100,000 individuals, 43% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 108 property crimes, amounting to 3796 per 100,000 residents, 94.2% higher than the U.S. average.

In Cape May, the crime rate stands at 4007 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 72.4%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Cape May that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

During the most recently reported crime year, Cape May experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

Cape May reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 3796 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 27 chance of falling victim to property crime in Cape May, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Cape May?

AreaVibes surveyed 26 local residents in Cape May to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 92% of people answered that there was very little crime in Cape May and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 8% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Cape May a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Cape May is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Cape May has a total crime rate that is 72% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.31 daily crimes (0.02 violent daily crimes and 0.3 daily property crimes) in Cape May.

Has Crime in Cape May Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Cape May. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Cape May has increased by 83.9%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 500%, while property crime has increased by 77.1%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Cape May.

Potential Causes for Crime in Cape May

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Cape May currently has an unemployment rate of 0.8%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Cape May, the cost of living is 43.97% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Cape May, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 7.77, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

Cape May crime map



The Cape May crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Cape May as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Cape May crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Cape May crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Cape May, NJ Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Cape May crime rates are 72% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Cape May are 43% lower than the national average
      • In Cape May you have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Cape May is safer than 28% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Cape May has increased by 120%

      Cape May, NJ Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Cape May

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        Daily Crime In Cape May (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Cape May (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Cape May

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Cape May is 1 in 475
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Cape May is 1 in 27
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Cape May is 1 in 25

        Year Over Year Crime In Cape May (per 100,000 people)

        Cape May police department

        Item Cape May New Jersey National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)2814,540558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents7.85.73.3
        There are a total of 28 Cape May police officers. This results in 7.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 37.4% greater than the New Jersey average and 138.9% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in New Jersey

        State Total offenders New Jersey /100K National /100K
        New Jersey4,53954266
        There are a total of 4,539 sex offenders in New Jersey. This yields a total of 54 sex offenders in New Jersey per 100,000 residents which is 80% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Cape May Point, NJ16582572654
        Erma, NJ2,03687607694
        Rio Grande, NJ2,75996670766
        North Cape May, NJ3,749101702803
        Henlopen Acres, DE187155793949
        Whitesboro, NJ2,588121844964
        West Cape May, NJ1,0081571,0941,251
        Cape May, NJ3,4462113,7964,007

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Red Oak, NC3,446139710849
        Blissfield, MI3,447152670822
        Woodstown, NJ3,445108596704
        Mariemont, OH3,4450290290
        Malvern, PA3,44553282336
        Cape May, NJ3,4462113,7964,007
        Source: The Cape May, NJ crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.