Cliffside Park, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Cliffside Park, NJ

What is Cliffside Park's overall crime grade?

Cliffside Park earns an overall crime grade of B- for 2026, meaning it performs better than a significant portion of U.S. cities of comparable size and density. With a population of approximately 25,410 residents packed into a high-density footprint of 10,264 people per square mile, the borough manages to keep crime rates notably in check. Property crimes account for the large majority of reported incidents — typically representing upward of 80–85% of total offenses — while violent crime remains a relatively rare occurrence. That B- grade reflects a community that is meaningfully safer than average, though not without the occasional incident you'd expect in any dense, urban-adjacent borough in Bergen County.

Is Cliffside Park safe to live in?

By most measurable indicators, yes. Cliffside Park's B- overall crime grade places it in the safer tier among New Jersey municipalities of similar density. The borough's median household income of $83,989 and unemployment rate of just 3.7% correlate strongly with lower crime environments — research consistently shows that economic stability suppresses crime rates. The poverty rate of 11.3% is modest relative to comparable urban-edge communities. Violent offenses represent a small fraction of total incidents, and the most commonly reported crimes tend to be opportunistic property crimes such as theft and vehicle break-ins rather than crimes against persons. Residents near Palisade Avenue and the waterfront corridor consistently report a strong sense of personal safety.

What types of crime are most common in Cliffside Park?

Property crime dominates the incident log in Cliffside Park, consistent with the borough's urban-adjacent character. Theft — including shoplifting and motor vehicle theft — typically comprises the single largest category, often accounting for 50–60% of all reported incidents. Vandalism and malicious mischief represent another notable slice, roughly 10–15% of reports. Burglary incidents are relatively infrequent given the density of the area and the prevalence of multi-unit residential buildings with shared entry points and security features. Violent crimes — including assault and robbery — make up a small minority of the overall picture, generally under 15% of total incidents, reinforcing the borough's B- safety grade. Fraud and identity-theft-related reports have trended upward in recent years, mirroring a national pattern rather than a local anomaly.

Which parts of Cliffside Park tend to see more crime activity?

While Cliffside Park does not have formally designated neighborhood boundaries, crime map data points to some geographic patterns worth knowing. Commercial corridors along Anderson Avenue — the borough's main retail spine — see a higher concentration of theft and shoplifting incidents relative to purely residential blocks. Areas closer to the Route 9W corridor experience somewhat more vehicle-related incidents, including car break-ins and minor vandalism, consistent with higher traffic volume and on-street parking exposure. By contrast, the quieter residential streets near Veterans Memorial Park and the Palisade Avenue waterfront zone tend to register fewer incidents and are frequently cited by residents as among the most peaceful parts of the borough. Using the interactive crime map to filter by incident type and date range will give you the most current, block-level picture.

How does Cliffside Park's crime rate compare to the rest of New Jersey?

Cliffside Park's B- crime grade positions it favorably within New Jersey's broader safety landscape. The state as a whole has significant variation — dense urban centers carry far higher crime rates, while low-density suburban towns often score A or A-. Cliffside Park sits in a competitive middle ground: denser than most NJ suburbs (at 10,264 people per square mile) yet substantially safer than comparably dense cities. Its median home value of $450,448 and median rent of $1,552 reflect the premium residents are willing to pay for that combination of density, convenience, and relative safety. For Bergen County specifically, Cliffside Park holds its own well against neighboring municipalities.

Is Cliffside Park a good place to buy a home from a safety perspective?

A B- crime grade combined with a median home value of $450,448 suggests the market has already priced in a meaningful safety premium. Buyers looking for a lower-crime environment with direct access to New York City will find Cliffside Park competitive. The borough's low unemployment rate of 3.7%, stable median household income of $83,989, and modest poverty rate of 11.3% are all structural factors that tend to support sustained low-to-moderate crime environments over time. From a pure safety-to-value standpoint, blocks near Veterans Memorial Park and the Palisade Avenue waterfront have historically shown the fewest incident reports and may warrant particular attention for buyers prioritizing day-to-day peace of mind.