Dudley, MA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Dudley, MA

Is Dudley, MA safe?

Yes — Dudley earns an Overall Crime Grade of A, placing it among the safer communities in Massachusetts. With a population of approximately 11,699 spread across a low-density area of just 216 residents per square mile, the town's open, suburban character naturally limits the concentration of criminal activity. Dudley's poverty rate sits at just 5.3% — well below the national average — and its unemployment rate of 4.9% reflects a relatively stable local economy. Both factors are strongly correlated with lower crime levels in peer research. Residents and visitors can feel confident moving through Dudley's neighborhoods, though standard personal safety awareness is always recommended.

What is the crime rate in Dudley, MA?

Dudley's crime profile earns a letter grade of A overall, signaling that reported incidents are significantly lower than what you'd find in comparable Massachusetts towns. The town's socioeconomic indicators reinforce this picture: a median household income of $69,659, a poverty rate of only 5.3%, and an unemployment rate of 4.9% all trend in directions associated with reduced criminal activity. Property crimes — such as theft and vehicle break-ins — represent the most commonly reported incident category in small New England towns of Dudley's size and density, while violent crime remains rare. For the most current incident-level data, the Dudley Police Department publishes periodic reports that break down incident types by location and time period.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Dudley?

Because Dudley earns an A grade town-wide, safety is broadly distributed rather than concentrated in one or two pockets. That said, areas near the Dudley Town Center and well-established residential corridors tend to benefit from higher foot traffic, active community engagement, and quicker police response times — all factors that deter opportunistic crime. Neighborhoods adjacent to Dudley Middle School and the residential developments along routes closer to the Webster town line are frequently cited by long-term residents as quiet and well-maintained. With a population density of only 216 people per square mile, even the town's busier nodes feel uncrowded, which contributes to a low-incident environment across virtually all of Dudley's neighborhoods.

How does Dudley's crime compare to other Massachusetts towns?

Dudley's A overall crime grade positions it favorably against both Worcester County peers and Massachusetts as a whole. Several factors drive this advantage: the town's 5.3% poverty rate is roughly half the statewide average, its median home value of $274,280 reflects stable property investment, and its median rent of $1,004 suggests an accessible but not transient housing market. High residential turnover is often linked to elevated crime in peer studies, and Dudley's affordability-to-stability ratio helps keep that turnover low. By contrast, larger nearby cities with higher density and higher poverty rates tend to score in the C-to-D range on comparable crime grading scales — making Dudley a meaningful outlier in a positive direction.

Is Dudley a good place to live based on crime and safety data?

From a data standpoint, Dudley checks nearly every box for families and individuals prioritizing safety. The town's A crime grade is the highest tier available, its unemployment rate of 4.9% points to a functioning local economy, and a median household income of $69,659 paired with a median home value of $274,280 suggests a community where residents have meaningful economic stability — a strong predictor of sustained low crime over time. The 5.3% poverty rate is notably low, reducing the economic stress that often precedes property and opportunistic crime. Add in a low population density of 216 per square mile and a median rent of just $1,004, and Dudley presents a compelling case as one of Worcester County's safer, more affordable places to put down roots.

What types of crime are most common in Dudley?

In small Massachusetts towns that share Dudley's demographic profile — low poverty at 5.3%, moderate density at 216 per square mile, and a stable median income of $69,659 — property crimes such as larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and occasional residential break-ins typically account for the largest share of reported incidents. Violent crimes, including assault and robbery, are statistically uncommon in communities earning an A crime grade like Dudley's. Drug-related incidents and minor disturbances represent a secondary category seen across New England towns of similar size. The Dudley Police Department's public reports and the town's crime map are the best resources for viewing the current incident-type breakdown and identifying whether any specific neighborhood is seeing a short-term uptick in a particular category.