Collingswood, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Collingswood, NJ

Is Collingswood, NJ safe?

Collingswood earns an overall crime grade of B-, which places it in a moderately safe tier compared to other New Jersey municipalities of similar size. With a population of roughly 13,882 residents spread across a compact 2,928 people per square mile, the town's density means incidents can feel more visible, but community cohesion — anchored by active corridors like Haddon Avenue and the neighborhoods surrounding Collingswood Park — helps keep serious crime relatively contained. Violent incidents remain uncommon relative to property-related offenses, and the local police department maintains a consistent presence in higher-traffic areas. For most residents and visitors, Collingswood represents a genuinely livable, safe environment, though staying current with the crime map is always a smart habit.

What is the crime rate in Collingswood?

Collingswood's composite crime performance earns a B- letter grade, reflecting a safety profile that outperforms many comparable Camden County communities while still leaving room for improvement. Property crimes — including vehicle break-ins, theft, and occasional burglary — account for the majority of reported incidents, a pattern typical of dense, walkable towns with active retail corridors. Violent crime makes up a smaller share of overall activity and tends to be concentrated in specific pockets rather than spread evenly across the borough. The town's 10.7% poverty rate and 6.5% unemployment rate are contextual factors that researchers often correlate with property crime frequency, yet Collingswood's median household income of $68,663 and strong community infrastructure help offset those pressures. Checking the interactive crime map regularly gives the clearest, most current picture of where and when incidents are occurring.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Collingswood?

Within Collingswood's roughly 4.7 square miles, safety levels do vary by area. Neighborhoods closest to Collingswood Park and the tree-lined residential blocks off Haddon Avenue consistently show lower incident concentrations on the crime map, benefiting from active neighborhood associations and high foot traffic that naturally deters opportunistic crime. The West Collingswood section, with its quieter residential character, also tends to report fewer incidents than more commercially active zones. Blocks nearest the borough's borders — particularly those adjacent to higher-density corridors — can see slightly elevated property crime activity. Because Collingswood's overall grade is B-, even its busier areas remain manageable; the differences between neighborhoods are a matter of degree rather than dramatic safety swings. Using the live crime map to filter by incident type and date range gives the most granular, up-to-date neighborhood comparison available.

Is Collingswood a good place to live?

By most measurable indicators, yes. Collingswood's B- overall crime grade, median household income of $68,663, and median home value of $266,318 collectively paint a picture of a stable, middle-class borough with genuine quality-of-life appeal. The 6.5% unemployment rate sits slightly above the national average, and a 10.7% poverty rate signals that economic pressures exist for a portion of residents — factors worth acknowledging honestly. On the housing side, a median rent of $1,161 remains relatively accessible for the Philadelphia metro area, attracting young professionals and families who want urban amenities without city-level costs. The walkable downtown, strong arts scene, and proximity to Philadelphia via PATCO make Collingswood particularly attractive for commuters. When you weigh the B- safety grade against the community investment, school options, and cost of living, most prospective residents find the overall value proposition compelling.

How does Collingswood's crime grade compare to nearby towns?

Collingswood's B- crime grade positions it favorably within Camden County, where some neighboring municipalities score in the C or D range due to higher rates of both property and violent crime. Compared to the city of Camden itself — which faces significantly more serious crime challenges — Collingswood represents a markedly safer environment. Bordering communities like Oaklyn and Westmont tend to post similar or slightly better grades, making the immediate South Jersey corridor a reasonably safe cluster overall. The borough's population density of 2,928 per square mile is high enough that crime incidents can cluster visibly, but that same density supports the foot traffic and community vigilance that help suppress more serious offenses. A B- is a solid, honest grade: better than average, with specific property-crime categories worth monitoring.

What types of crime are most common in Collingswood?

Property crimes dominate Collingswood's incident reports, consistent with the borough's B- overall grade and its profile as a dense, commercially active community. Theft — including shoplifting along retail corridors and items taken from unlocked vehicles — represents the most frequently reported category. Burglary and vandalism follow, with the latter often tied to parking areas and less-trafficked side streets after dark. Violent crimes such as assault occur at a lower rate and are not evenly distributed across the borough; they tend to cluster near late-night commercial activity rather than in purely residential zones like those near Collingswood Park. Drug-related offenses appear in the data as well, though at levels consistent with a B--grade community rather than a high-concern area. Understanding this breakdown helps residents prioritize practical precautions: securing vehicles, reporting vandalism promptly, and using the crime map's category filters to track the specific incident types most relevant to their block.