A+
68%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
76%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
67%
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 peopleLakewood/100k peopleNew Jersey/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,037n/a (estimate)7341,6202,324
Murder0n/a0.03.16.3
Rape14n/a9.916.840.0
Robbery25n/a17.747.666.1
Assault84n/a59.5135.4268.2
Violent crime123n/a (estimate)87203370
Burglary151n/a106.9148.0269.8
Theft661n/a468.21,109.11,401.9
Vehicle theft102n/a72.2159.6282.7
Property crime914n/a (estimate)6471,4171,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lakewood, NJ

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Lakewood is 68.4% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 123 violent crimes reported in Lakewood, equivalent to 87 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 76.4%. Additionally, Lakewood recorded 914 property crimes, amounting to 647 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 66.9%.

Boasting a crime rate of 734, well below the national average of 2324, Lakewood emerges as a standout destination for those seeking a secure place to reside in the United States. This crime rate is derived from the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents, underscoring the unwavering dedication of Lakewood to ensure a safe living environment for its residents.

Lakewood stands out with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the United States. Reporting only 87 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Lakewood secures its place among the safest cities in the nation, making it an enticing destination for those in search of a new home.

During the most recently reported crime year, Lakewood 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.

Property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have exhibited a consistent decrease of about 50% since 1990, with a minor upturn observed in recent years. According to the latest crime data, Lakewood maintains a property crime rate of 647 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 1954. This serves as a strong indication of the status of Lakewood as a secure and desirable place to reside, emphasizing its commitment to safety and well-being within the community.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lakewood?

AreaVibes surveyed 14 local residents in Lakewood to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 64% of people answered that there was very little crime in Lakewood and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 36% 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 Lakewood a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Lakewood 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. Lakewood has a total crime rate that is 68% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.84 daily crimes (0.34 violent daily crimes and 2.5 daily property crimes) in Lakewood.

Has Crime in Lakewood Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Lakewood crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Lakewood has increased by 3.5% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 6.1% and property crime has increased by 4.9%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lakewood

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. Lakewood currently has an unemployment rate of 3.4%, 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.

Lakewood has a population density of 7774.4 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Lakewood crime rates.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Lakewood, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 0 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

Lakewood crime map



The Lakewood crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Lakewood 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 Lakewood crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Lakewood 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 Lakewood, NJ Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Lakewood crime rates are 68% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Lakewood are 76% lower than the national average
      • In Lakewood you have a 1 in 137 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Lakewood is safer than 79% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Lakewood has decreased by 21%

      Lakewood, NJ Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Lakewood

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        Daily Crime In Lakewood (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Lakewood, per 100,000 residents. In Lakewood, the total number of daily crimes is 2.21 times less than the New Jersey average and 3.16 times less than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Lakewood are 2.33 times less than the New Jersey average and 4.24 times less than the national average. For property crime, Lakewood has a daily crime rate that is 2.19 times less than the New Jersey average and 3.02 times less than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Lakewood (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in New Jersey and all other cities across the US, is Lakewood safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Lakewood is safer than 62% of other cities in the state of New Jersey. In addition, Lakewood is safer than 79% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all New Jersey and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Lakewood. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Lakewood is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lakewood

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lakewood is 1 in 1148
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lakewood is 1 in 155
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lakewood is 1 in 137
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Lakewood, New Jersey you have a 1 in 1148 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 155 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 137 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Lakewood.

        Year Over Year Crime In Lakewood (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Lakewood, NJ is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Lakewood has decreased by 28%, while the property crime rate in Lakewood has decreased by 20% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Lakewood has decreased by 21% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Lakewood police department

        Item Lakewood New Jersey National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)15914,540558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a5.73.3

        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
        Spring Lake Heights, NJ4,5300184184
        Sea Girt, NJ1,72553159212
        Bay Head, NJ1,05028199227
        Dover Beaches South, NJ1,23041287328
        Dover Beaches North, NJ1,96842291332
        Allenwood, NJ85750346396
        Vista Center, NJ2,45051357408
        Lakewood, NJ55,03987647734

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Manhattan, KS55,0454051,9452,351
        Southaven, MS55,0262283,2663,494
        Bel Air South, MD55,0244261,7482,174
        Hempstead, NY55,1535181,0761,594
        Chicopee, MA55,1865451,8672,412
        Lakewood, NJ55,03987647734
        Source: The Lakewood, 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.