Fair Lawn, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Fair Lawn, NJ

What is Fair Lawn's overall crime grade and how does it compare to other New Jersey cities?

Fair Lawn earns an overall crime grade of A-, placing it among the safest communities in Bergen County and the broader New Jersey region. To put that in perspective, many comparable suburban cities in the state score in the B or C range, making Fair Lawn's A- a meaningful distinction. The city's low poverty rate of just 4.9% and a median household income of $129,965 — well above the national median — are strongly correlated with reduced crime risk. An unemployment rate of only 3.9% further reinforces the economic stability that tends to keep crime rates low. For residents evaluating neighborhood safety, an A- grade signals that the vast majority of daily life here unfolds without criminal incident.

What types of crime are most common in Fair Lawn, and how frequent are they?

Fair Lawn's A- crime grade reflects a community where serious violent crime is rare. Property crimes — such as occasional vehicle break-ins, package theft, and sporadic burglaries — represent the most frequently reported category, which is typical of affluent, low-density suburbs. With a population density of 2,480 residents per square mile and a population of roughly 32,986, the city is compact enough for neighbors to notice unusual activity, which acts as a natural deterrent. Violent incidents account for a very small fraction of total reported crimes, and drug-related calls, while present, remain well below state averages. The overall picture is one where property vigilance — locking vehicles, securing packages, using outdoor lighting — addresses the lion's share of risk residents actually face.

Which neighborhoods in Fair Lawn are considered the safest?

While Fair Lawn's A- overall grade means the entire borough performs well, certain areas stand out for their particularly low incident rates. Neighborhoods near Memorial Park and the residential blocks surrounding Radburn — Fair Lawn's nationally recognized planned community — consistently reflect the borough's safest characteristics, benefiting from tight-knit community associations, well-lit streets, and active resident engagement. Areas proximate to Fair Lawn Avenue and the northern residential corridors near the Saddle River also report minimal activity. Even in the commercial corridor along Broadway, where retail-related incidents like shoplifting can tick upward, the rates remain low relative to comparable commercial districts in Bergen County. No neighborhood in Fair Lawn carries a grade below the borough's strong overall A- benchmark based on available data.

How do Fair Lawn's socioeconomic stats affect its crime rate?

Socioeconomic factors are among the most reliable predictors of community safety, and Fair Lawn's numbers tell a compelling story. A median household income of $129,965 — more than double the U.S. median — combined with a poverty rate of just 4.9% and an unemployment rate of 3.9%, creates conditions strongly associated with low crime. Research consistently shows that communities where residents are economically stable experience fewer property crimes and dramatically lower rates of violent crime. Fair Lawn's median home value of $440,154 and median rent of $1,826 also reflect a population with significant financial investment in the community, which correlates with higher homeownership pride, neighborhood watch participation, and proactive engagement with local law enforcement. These figures collectively explain why the borough sustains an A- crime grade year over year.

Is Fair Lawn safe for families, and how does the crime data support that?

By nearly every measurable indicator, Fair Lawn is an excellent choice for families prioritizing safety. The borough's A- overall crime grade, paired with a poverty rate under 5% and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Bergen County at 3.9%, paints a picture of a stable, low-risk environment. Families in neighborhoods like Radburn and those near Fair Lawn's well-regarded public schools report high comfort levels with children walking to school and playing outdoors. The population of 32,986 is large enough to support robust municipal services — including a dedicated police department — yet small enough that officers maintain genuine familiarity with local patterns. For families comparing suburbs, Fair Lawn's data-backed A- grade and its strong socioeconomic profile make it one of the most defensible choices in the region.

What steps can Fair Lawn residents take to help maintain the city's A- crime grade?

Sustaining an A- crime grade is a community effort. Residents can contribute by reporting suspicious activity promptly to the Fair Lawn Police Department, participating in neighborhood watch programs — particularly in denser residential blocks — and securing vehicles and packages, which represent the most common crime vectors in low-crime suburbs like Fair Lawn. Given the borough's population density of 2,480 per square mile, neighbor-to-neighbor communication is highly effective; platforms like community apps and local social groups amplify awareness quickly. Property owners can also leverage the borough's relatively high home values — median $440,154 — as motivation to invest in smart doorbells, motion-activated lighting, and quality locks, all of which measurably reduce opportunistic property crime. Collective vigilance is precisely what keeps a community at the A- level rather than slipping toward the averages seen in less engaged suburbs.