A+
80%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
44%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
87%
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 peopleShirley/100k peopleMassachusetts/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime33n/a (estimate)4571,3922,324
Murder0n/a0.02.16.3
Rape2n/a27.729.140.0
Robbery0n/a0.037.766.1
Assault13n/a179.9253.1268.2
Violent crime15n/a (estimate)208322370
Burglary4n/a55.3142.8269.8
Theft12n/a166.0827.61,401.9
Vehicle theft2n/a27.799.7282.7
Property crime18n/a (estimate)2491,0701,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Shirley, MA

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Shirley is 80.4% lower 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 Shirley, there were 15 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 208 per 100,000 individuals, 43.9% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 18 property crimes, amounting to 249 per 100,000 residents, 87.3% lower than the U.S. average.

With a crime rate of 457, significantly below the national average of 2324, Shirley stands out as one of the safest places to reside in the United States. This distinction is primarily attributed to the calculation of total crimes, which encompasses both violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents.

In the most recently reported crime year, Shirley registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

Since 1990, property crime rates per 100,000 people in the United States have steadily decreased. Recently, the average did increase slightly. Having said that, Shirley has a property crime rate that is well below the national average with only 249 reported property crimes compared to the national average of 1954. Based on this report, Shirley remains a very safe place to live with regards to property crime.

Is Shirley a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Shirley 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. Shirley has a total crime rate that is 80% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.09 daily crimes (0.04 violent daily crimes and 0.05 daily property crimes) in Shirley.

Has Crime in Shirley Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Shirley has decreased by 17.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Shirley is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 11.8%, while property crime has decreased by 21.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Shirley.

Potential Causes for Crime in Shirley

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Shirley crime rates. In Shirley, the poverty rate stands at 6.2%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Shirley crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Shirley has an unemployment rate of 0%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Shirley stands at $259,600, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

Shirley crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Shirley crime rates are 80% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Shirley are 44% lower than the national average
      • In Shirley you have a 1 in 220 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Shirley is safer than 67% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Shirley has decreased by 13%

      Shirley, MA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Shirley (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Shirley (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Shirley

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Shirley is 1 in 482
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Shirley is 1 in 402
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Shirley is 1 in 220

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

        Shirley police department

        Item Shirley Massachusetts National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1411,659558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.92.23.3
        There are a total of 14 Shirley police officers. This results in 1.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 11.4% less than the Massachusetts average and 41.3% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Massachusetts

        State Total offenders Massachusetts /100K National /100K
        Massachusetts4,55172266
        There are a total of 4,551 sex offenders in Massachusetts. This yields a total of 72 sex offenders in Massachusetts per 100,000 residents which is 73% 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
        Clinton, MA7,058523284
        Groton, MA1,12781144226
        Townsend, MA1,276124337461
        Hudson, MA15,222148367515
        South Lancaster, MA1,575133441573
        Rutland, MA1,749365236601
        East Pepperell, MA1,916140465605
        Shirley, MA1,716208249457

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        North Berwick, ME1,71697387484
        Harlan, IN1,715118598716
        Winchester, IL1,717140821961
        Nicholson, GA1,714171787957
        Fort Recovery, OH1,714121736857
        Shirley, MA1,716208249457
        Source: The Shirley, MA 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.