Cedar Grove, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Grove, NJ Crime & Safety

Is Cedar Grove, NJ safe?

Cedar Grove earns an overall crime grade of A-, placing it among the safest communities in New Jersey and well above national benchmarks. With a population of roughly 12,593 spread across a modest 1,147 residents per square mile, the township maintains a low-density suburban character that naturally limits crime opportunity. The combination of a median household income of $146,432 and a poverty rate of just 1.9% — both strong predictors of community safety — reinforces Cedar Grove's standing as a genuinely low-risk place to live, work, and visit.

What is the crime rate in Cedar Grove, NJ?

Cedar Grove's A- overall crime grade reflects a crime environment that outperforms the vast majority of U.S. towns its size. The township's socioeconomic profile tells a complementary story: a 1.9% poverty rate (compared to roughly 12–13% nationally) and a median home value of $488,007 signal a stable, invested community where residents have strong incentives to maintain neighborhood order. While no community is entirely crime-free, reported incidents in Cedar Grove skew heavily toward lower-severity property offenses — serious violent crime is rare. The Cedar Grove Police Department's community policing model and active resident engagement help keep those numbers consistently low year over year.

What types of crime are most common in Cedar Grove?

Consistent with most affluent suburban townships, the incidents that do occur in Cedar Grove are predominantly property-related rather than violent. Common report categories include opportunistic vehicle break-ins (often tied to unlocked cars), minor theft, and occasional vandalism. Violent crime — assault, robbery, and similar offenses — represents a very small share of total incidents and occurs at rates well below state and national averages. The township's unemployment rate of 6.8% is the one socioeconomic indicator worth watching, as labor-market stress can nudge property crime upward; however, Cedar Grove's exceptionally low poverty rate and high median income appear to offset that pressure effectively, keeping the overall grade at A-.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Cedar Grove?

Because Cedar Grove is a compact, cohesive township — roughly 11 square miles with a single unified police jurisdiction — safety levels are relatively consistent across its residential sections. Areas clustered around Bowden Road, the neighborhoods adjacent to Hilltop Reservation, and the residential streets near Cedar Grove Middle School are frequently cited by residents as particularly quiet and family-friendly. The corridors near Bradford Avenue and the zones surrounding Grove Avenue also benefit from high homeownership rates and active block-watch participation, both of which correlate with lower property-crime incidence. With an A- township-wide grade, no section of Cedar Grove is considered a high-crime area.

How does Cedar Grove compare to nearby towns for safety?

Cedar Grove's A- crime grade positions it favorably against many Essex County neighbors. Its median household income of $146,432 is significantly above the Essex County median, and its 1.9% poverty rate is a fraction of the county average — both factors that research consistently links to lower crime rates. Towns with higher population densities, higher poverty rates, or lower median incomes in the surrounding region typically carry lower crime grades. For residents comparing suburban options, Cedar Grove's data profile — high income, low poverty, low density, strong home values — represents one of the more compelling safety cases in the northern New Jersey corridor.

Is Cedar Grove a good place to live in 2026?

By the numbers, Cedar Grove makes a strong case. The township posts an A- overall crime grade, a median household income of $146,432, a median home value of $488,007, and a poverty rate of only 1.9% — a combination that few communities of its size can match. Median rent of $1,447 offers a relatively accessible entry point for renters given the area's income levels. The primary caveat is an unemployment rate of 6.8%, which runs modestly above the national average and is worth factoring into financial planning. Overall, for families, professionals, and retirees prioritizing safety, school quality, and suburban livability within commuting distance of New York City, Cedar Grove's 2026 data profile remains highly competitive.

How can I stay updated on crime activity in Cedar Grove?

The most reliable primary source is the Cedar Grove Police Department's official website, which publishes incident summaries and community alerts. Third-party platforms such as CrimeMapping.com and SpotCrime aggregate police-reported data into interactive maps that let you filter by incident type, date range, and geographic area — useful for spotting any emerging micro-trends in specific residential pockets. Signing up for township email or text alerts and participating in neighborhood watch networks are additional layers that Cedar Grove residents commonly use to stay informed in real time.