Andover, MA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Andover, MA

What is Andover's overall crime grade, and what does it mean?

Andover earns an overall crime grade of A- for 2026, placing it among the safest communities in Massachusetts. This grade reflects a combination of low violent crime frequency, modest property crime counts relative to population, and strong socioeconomic indicators that correlate with public safety. With a population of 36,098 spread across a low-density footprint of 452 residents per square mile, the town avoids the congestion-related crime pressures common in larger urban centers. An A- grade means Andover outperforms the vast majority of U.S. cities and towns — residents here face a significantly lower risk of becoming a crime victim than the national average.

How does Andover's crime rate compare to similar towns in the region?

Andover's A- crime grade puts it well ahead of many comparable Massachusetts communities. Several factors drive this strong performance: a median household income of $153,315 — roughly three times the national median — a poverty rate of just 3.5%, and an unemployment rate of 3.9% all suppress the economic pressures that typically elevate crime. Property crime, the most common category in Andover as in most low-crime suburbs, remains infrequent relative to the town's size. Violent incidents are rare and tend to be isolated rather than concentrated in recurring hotspots. When mapped, criminal activity is sparse and scattered, with no single corridor dominating incident reports.

What types of crime are most common in Andover?

Like most affluent New England suburbs, Andover's incident reports skew heavily toward property crime — primarily larceny-theft and occasional motor vehicle theft — rather than violent offenses. Burglary rates are low, consistent with the town's high median home value of $637,633, which typically correlates with better home security investment among residents. Violent crimes such as assault represent a small fraction of total incidents and are not concentrated in any particular district. Drug-related calls occur sporadically and are actively monitored by the Andover Police Department. Vandalism and disorderly conduct round out the minor-incident category. The overall picture is one where the vast majority of reported events are non-violent and property-focused.

Which areas of Andover have the lowest reported crime?

Andover's crime map shows that incident density is lowest in the residential neighborhoods surrounding the Shawsheen River corridor and the historic districts near the town center. The areas adjacent to Phillips Academy — one of the most recognized landmarks in town — benefit from active institutional security presence and community vigilance. Subdivisions in the northern and western portions of Andover, characterized by larger lot sizes and lower population density, consistently report fewer incidents. Because Andover's overall grade is A-, even its relatively busier zones near major commercial routes along Route 28 and the downtown retail district maintain low absolute incident counts. Checking the interactive crime map on this page lets you filter by incident type and time period to compare specific pockets of the town.

Is Andover a safe place to raise a family?

By nearly every measurable standard, yes. Andover's A- crime grade, combined with a poverty rate of only 3.5% and a median household income of $153,315, creates a socioeconomic environment strongly associated with public safety and community stability. The town's low population density of 452 people per square mile means less urban friction and fewer opportunity-driven crimes. Median home values of $637,633 reflect sustained demand from families who prioritize school quality and neighborhood safety. The unemployment rate of 3.9% indicates a largely employed, economically engaged population — another strong predictor of low crime. Median rent of $1,714 suggests a stable rental market without the transience that can sometimes elevate incident rates. Taken together, these data points make Andover one of the more statistically compelling choices for families relocating to the greater Boston area.

How can I stay current on crime activity in Andover?

The most reliable primary sources are the Andover Police Department's official page, which publishes incident logs and public safety announcements, and the crime map on this page, which aggregates and visualizes reported incidents by category and location. Setting up alerts through platforms like CrimeMapping.com allows you to receive notifications for specific incident types within a defined radius of your address. Neighborhood watch groups active in several Andover districts also share timely, hyper-local information that supplements official data. Given Andover's A- grade and low baseline crime volume, even a small uptick in incidents is relatively easy to spot and respond to — a meaningful advantage of living in a low-crime community.