# New Jersey municipal crime rate rankings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-jersey-municipal-crime-rate-rankings > Updated: 2026-08-21T14:00:10.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 3. Based on the FBI’s 2024 Uniform Crime Reporting Program, new analyses have ranked New Jersey municipalities by crime rates. The data evaluated over 300 towns with populations exceeding 5,000 residents. Initial reports identified the 25 most dangerous towns using a ‘Dangerous Index’ that averages per capita rates of violent and property crime. Because the data is calculated per 100,000 residents rather than by raw totals, smaller towns and shore communities may appear higher on these rankings than larger urban centers like Newark or Jersey City. Subsequent reporting identified the 25 safest towns using a ‘Safety Index.’ These locations are primarily small, suburban communities situated away from major transit corridors, with some towns reporting zero violent crimes. While Bergen and Morris counties appeared frequently in the top rankings, a town in Monmouth County was identified as a top performer and ranked as the safest in the state. This shift in reporting focus toward security and community safety highlights that residents may not need to leave the state to find high levels of safety. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-21: New Jersey identifies 25 safest towns for 2026 A new ranking based on FBI crime data identifies the 25 safest towns in New Jersey for 2026, highlighting a top-ranking town in Monmouth County. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-jersey-identifies-25-safest-towns-for-2026 ### 2026-08-17: New Jersey identifies 25 safest towns via FBI crime data Based on FBI crime data, a new report identifies the 25 safest towns in New Jersey, with Monmouth County claiming the top spot. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-jersey-identifies-25-safest-towns-via-fbi-crime-data ### 2026-08-11: New Jersey towns ranked by crime rates New Jersey's 25 most dangerous towns have been ranked using FBI crime data, utilizing a per capita index of violent and property crime across municipalities with over 5,000 residents. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-jersey-towns-ranked-by-crime-rates --- Cite as: New Jersey municipal crime rate rankings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-jersey-municipal-crime-rate-rankings