Falmouth, MA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Falmouth, MA Crime

What is Falmouth's overall crime grade?

Falmouth earns an overall crime grade of B — a strong indicator that this Cape Cod town is meaningfully safer than a large share of U.S. communities. With a population of roughly 31,104 spread across a low-density landscape of about 272 residents per square mile, Falmouth's crime environment reflects the kind of stability you'd expect from a coastal town with a 6.2% poverty rate and a median household income of $75,548. A B grade means residents face below-average risk compared to national benchmarks, though it also signals there is room for continued improvement in specific categories.

Is Falmouth, MA a safe place to live?

By most measurable standards, yes. Falmouth's B crime grade places it ahead of many similarly sized New England towns. The town's low unemployment rate of 4.3% and a poverty rate of just 6.2% — both of which research consistently links to reduced crime — help underpin that grade. Property crime, particularly opportunistic theft during the busy summer tourist season, accounts for the majority of reported incidents, while violent crime remains comparatively rare. Neighborhoods like West Falmouth and Old Village are frequently cited by residents as among the quietest and most family-friendly areas on the crime map. For context, Falmouth's median home value of $437,923 reflects the premium many buyers willingly pay, in part, for the town's relative safety and quality of life.

What types of crime are most common in Falmouth?

Property crime dominates Falmouth's incident reports, consistent with the town's B overall grade. Theft — including larceny from vehicles and shoplifting in commercial corridors — represents the most frequently reported category. Vandalism and burglary appear at lower but notable rates, often concentrated in commercial zones and areas with higher seasonal foot traffic. Violent crime, such as assault, makes up a much smaller share of total incidents and is not evenly distributed across the town; it tends to cluster in a handful of specific areas rather than being a townwide concern. Substance-related offenses represent another recurring category, reflecting a challenge shared by many Cape Cod communities. The overall picture is one where a resident's most statistically likely encounter with crime involves property rather than personal safety.

Which neighborhoods in Falmouth have the lowest crime rates?

While granular block-by-block data shifts over time, several Falmouth neighborhoods consistently appear on the safer end of the crime map. West Falmouth benefits from lower residential density and strong community cohesion. Old Village, with its historic character and active neighborhood associations, also records fewer incidents per capita. Falmouth Heights, despite its summer popularity, maintains organized community policing efforts that help keep crime figures in check. These areas collectively benefit from Falmouth's favorable socioeconomic profile — a median household income of $75,548 and a poverty rate of 6.2% — both of which correlate with lower property and violent crime rates at the neighborhood level.

How does Falmouth's crime rate compare to other Massachusetts towns?

Falmouth's B crime grade positions it favorably within the Massachusetts landscape. Towns of similar population size — roughly 31,000 residents — often score lower when they have higher poverty rates or greater population density. Falmouth's density of just 272 people per square mile is notably low, which limits the concentration of crime that typically occurs in denser urban environments. Its unemployment rate of 4.3% and median rent of $1,238 suggest a community that, while not without economic pressures, is broadly stable. Compared to larger Cape Cod hubs with heavier tourist infrastructure, Falmouth holds its own as a community where the data supports the perception of safety rather than contradicting it.

Does Falmouth's crime rate change seasonally?

Yes, and this is an important nuance for both residents and visitors. Like most Cape Cod towns, Falmouth experiences a significant population surge during summer months, which historically correlates with upticks in property crime — particularly vehicle break-ins, theft from unlocked beach-area properties, and larceny in commercial areas. The town's permanent population of 31,104 can swell considerably during peak season, placing additional demand on law enforcement resources. However, this seasonal pattern does not fundamentally alter Falmouth's B overall grade, which reflects annual averaged data. Residents in areas like Falmouth Heights and near the main commercial corridors are most likely to notice this seasonal variation on the crime map, while quieter residential pockets such as West Falmouth tend to remain relatively insulated.