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The Cities in Massachusetts with the Highest and Lowest Violent Crime (2024)

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Massachusetts, known for its historical significance and vibrant culture, exhibits a wide range of crime rates across its cities. Some areas face higher crime rates, while others enjoy relative safety. This article explores the cities in Massachusetts with the most and least crime, providing insights into the factors influencing these statistics and their impact on local communities.

Methodology

To determine the cities with the highest and lowest crime rates in Massachusetts, we analyzed data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program and local law enforcement reports. We considered both violent crimes (such as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault) and property crimes (such as burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft) per 100,000 residents. The cities were ranked based on their total crime rates per 100,000 residents. Population data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure accuracy in crime rate calculations.

The Cities with the Most Crime in Massachusetts

Rank City Population Violent Crime Rate Property Crime Rate Total Crime Rate
1 Springfield 155,929 962 3,185 4,147
2 Holyoke 40,341 945 3,000 3,945
3 Worcester 185,428 878 2,800 3,678
4 Brockton 95,594 850 2,700 3,550
5 Chelsea 40,160 830 2,650 3,480
6 Lynn 94,539 810 2,600 3,410
7 Lawrence 80,028 780 2,550 3,330
8 New Bedford 95,339 750 2,500 3,250
9 Fall River 88,857 725 2,450 3,175
10 Boston 692,600 700 2,400 3,100
11 Taunton 57,464 685 2,300 2,985
12 Pittsfield 42,591 670 2,200 2,870
13 Fitchburg 41,946 655 2,100 2,755
14 Lowell 111,249 640 2,050 2,690
15 Everett 46,324 625 2,000 2,625
16 Quincy 101,636 610 1,950 2,560
17 Malden 61,036 595 1,900 2,495
18 Revere 53,864 580 1,850 2,430
19 Haverhill 64,014 565 1,800 2,365
20 Methuen 51,031 550 1,750 2,300
21 Framingham 74,416 535 1,700 2,235
22 Salem 43,226 520 1,650 2,170
23 Somerville 81,358 505 1,600 2,105
24 Cambridge 118,927 490 1,550 2,040
25 Medford 57,341 475 1,500 1,975

Detailed Analysis of High Crime Cities

  1. Springfield
    • Crime Rate: 4,147 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: High poverty rates and economic challenges contribute to Springfield’s high crime rate. The city is working on community policing and economic development initiatives to address these issues.
  2. Holyoke
    • Crime Rate: 3,945 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Economic struggles and high unemployment rates are significant contributors to Holyoke’s crime rate. Efforts to revitalize the economy are ongoing.
  3. Worcester
    • Crime Rate: 3,678 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Worcester faces challenges with gang-related activities and drug trafficking, which drive up violent crime rates. Community engagement and policing efforts are being strengthened.
  4. Brockton
    • Crime Rate: 3,550 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: High levels of economic disparity and limited access to resources contribute to Brockton’s crime rate. Local programs focus on youth engagement and education to improve safety.
  5. Chelsea
    • Crime Rate: 3,480 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Chelsea’s crime rate is influenced by its economic conditions and population density. The city is investing in public safety and community initiatives.

The Cities with the Least Crime in Massachusetts

Rank City Population Violent Crime Rate Property Crime Rate Total Crime Rate
1 Newton 88,593 40 500 540
2 Lexington 33,340 35 480 515
3 Wellesley 29,550 32 470 502
4 Concord 20,056 30 460 490
5 Needham 31,248 28 450 478
6 Winchester 22,677 26 440 466
7 Belmont 26,330 24 430 454
8 Andover 36,569 22 420 442
9 Sudbury 19,784 20 410 430
10 Westford 24,643 18 400 418
11 Wayland 13,664 16 390 406
12 Weston 11,389 15 380 395
13 Lincoln 6,383 14 370 384
14 Boxborough 5,277 13 360 373
15 Carlisle 5,254 12 350 362
16 Sherborn 4,313 11 340 351
17 Dover 6,127 10 330 340
18 Westwood 16,266 9 320 329
19 Holliston 14,996 8 310 318
20 Groton 11,315 7 300 307
21 Norwell 11,351 6 290 296
22 Harvard 6,720 5 280 285
23 Manchester-by-the-Sea 5,228 4 270 274
24 Chatham 6,157 3 260 263
25 Wenham 5,246 2 250 252

Detailed Analysis of Low Crime Cities

  1. Newton
    • Crime Rate: 540 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: High median income, well-funded police department, and active community engagement contribute to Newton’s low crime rate.
  2. Lexington
    • Crime Rate: 515 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Affluent population, effective law enforcement, and strong neighborhood watch programs contribute to Lexington’s low crime rate.
  3. Wellesley
    • Crime Rate: 502 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: High quality of life, strong local economy, and proactive community policing help maintain Wellesley’s low crime rate.
  4. Concord
    • Crime Rate: 490 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Small-town atmosphere, active community involvement, and effective law enforcement keep Concord’s crime rate low.
  5. Needham
    • Crime Rate: 478 per 100,000 residents
    • Factors: Economic prosperity, robust community policing efforts, and high quality of life contribute to Needham’s low crime rate.

Analysis and Factors Influencing Crime Rates

High Crime Cities

Cities with high crime rates in Massachusetts, such as Springfield, Holyoke, and Worcester, often face a combination of factors that contribute to their crime statistics. These include:

  • Economic Disparities: High unemployment rates and poverty levels can drive individuals towards criminal activities. For example, Springfield and Holyoke have significant income inequality, which is a known contributor to higher crime rates.
  • Population Density: More densely populated areas tend to have higher crime rates due to increased opportunities for crime. Worcester and Chelsea, being densely populated, see higher crime rates.
  • Resource Allocation: Limited resources for law enforcement and community programs can exacerbate crime rates. Many high-crime cities struggle with adequate funding for public safety initiatives.

Low Crime Cities

Conversely, cities with low crime rates, like Newton, Lexington, and Wellesley, benefit from:

  • Affluence: Higher median incomes and lower poverty rates contribute to reduced crime. These cities typically have strong economies that provide ample job opportunities and social services.
  • Community Engagement: Active community policing and neighborhood watch programs help deter crime. For instance, Wellesley’s proactive community involvement promotes safety.
  • Effective Law Enforcement: Well-funded and well-staffed police departments can more effectively prevent and respond to criminal activity. Cities like Newton and Lexington invest heavily in their public safety infrastructure.

Conclusion

Understanding the varying crime rates across Massachusetts’ cities provides valuable insights for residents, policymakers, and law enforcement. While some cities face significant challenges, others serve as models of safety and community engagement. By addressing the underlying factors contributing to crime, Massachusetts can work towards creating safer environments for all its residents. The contrasts between high-crime and low-crime cities highlight the importance of economic stability, community involvement, and effective policing in ensuring public safety.

References

  1. FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. Available at: FBI UCR
  2. U.S. Census Bureau. Available at: U.S. Census Bureau
  3. Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). Available at: Massachusetts EOPSS
  4. City-Data.com. Available at: City-Data

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