Westville, NJ Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Westville, 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 Westville is 25% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 14 violent crimes reported in Westville, equivalent to 323 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 12.7%. Additionally, Westville recorded 112 property crimes, amounting to 2582 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 32.1%.

Westville exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 323 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 370. This uniformity underscores Westville as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.

In the latest reported crime year, Westville recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

Is Westville a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Westville 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. Westville has a total crime rate that is 25% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.35 daily crimes (0.04 violent daily crimes and 0.31 daily property crimes) in Westville.

Has Crime in Westville 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 Westville 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 Westville has increased by 23.5% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 55.6% and property crime has increased by 20.4%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Westville

In Westville, the poverty rate currently stands at 9.4%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Westville crime rates.

Westville reports an unemployment rate of 4.3%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Westville crime rates.

In Westville, the cost of living is 1.31% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

Westville crime map