Hackensack, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Hackensack, NJ

Is Hackensack, NJ safe?

Hackensack carries an overall crime grade of D+, which signals that safety is a genuine concern residents and prospective movers should weigh carefully. The city's population density of roughly 4,077 people per square mile concentrates activity — and crime — in ways that lower-density communities don't experience. That said, risk is not uniform across Hackensack. Areas near Hackensack University Medical Center along Main Street and Summit Avenue tend to see more foot traffic and active community presence, which correlates with lower incident rates. Neighborhoods closer to the downtown core and certain corridors off River Street have historically shown higher concentrations of property and violent crime. Practicing standard urban safety habits — staying aware of your surroundings, avoiding isolated areas after dark, and locking vehicles — meaningfully reduces personal risk.

What is the crime rate in Hackensack?

Hackensack's crime picture earns a D+ letter grade, placing it in the lower tier of safety rankings for New Jersey cities of comparable size. The city's 12.3% poverty rate and 4.9% unemployment rate are contextual factors that researchers consistently link to elevated crime levels. Property crimes — including vehicle theft, larceny, and burglary — represent the most frequently reported incident category, outpacing violent offenses by a significant margin. Violent crimes such as assault and robbery do occur, with late-night hours and less-trafficked streets seeing a disproportionate share. Relative to the broader Bergen County region, Hackensack's crime rate is notably higher, though it remains below the rates seen in larger New Jersey cities like Camden or Trenton. Residents can track current incident patterns through the Hackensack Police Department's official resources.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Hackensack?

While Hackensack's overall grade is D+, safety levels vary meaningfully by neighborhood. The residential pockets near Prospect Avenue and New Mill Road on the city's periphery tend to report fewer incidents, benefiting from lower density and more stable socioeconomic conditions. The area surrounding Hackensack University Medical Center — including stretches of Summit Avenue — draws consistent foot traffic and institutional presence that acts as a natural deterrent. By contrast, blocks adjacent to the downtown transit corridor and portions of River Street have shown recurring property crime activity in reported data. When evaluating a specific block or address, cross-referencing the interactive crime map with incident-type filters (theft, assault, vandalism) gives the most granular picture available. No neighborhood in Hackensack is entirely crime-free, but these distinctions matter when choosing where to rent or buy.

Is Hackensack a good place to live?

Hackensack offers a genuinely mixed profile for prospective residents. On the positive side, the city's median household income of $71,079, median home value of $300,965, and median rent of $1,493 position it as more affordable than many Bergen County neighbors while still offering access to robust amenities. Proximity to New York City via NJ Transit, a diverse dining and retail scene, and institutions like Hackensack University Medical Center add real quality-of-life value. However, the D+ overall crime grade and a poverty rate of 12.3% are factors that weigh on livability — particularly for families evaluating school-zone safety and neighborhood stability. Residents who do their homework on specific streets, engage with community watch programs, and take property-security precautions tend to report more positive experiences. Hackensack rewards informed, engaged residents more than it does passive ones.

How does Hackensack's crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?

With a crime grade of D+, Hackensack falls below the safety average for New Jersey as a whole. The state's larger urban centers — Newark, Trenton, Camden — score worse, but the majority of Bergen County municipalities outperform Hackensack on safety metrics. The city's population density of 4,077 per square mile is a key differentiator: denser environments statistically produce more reported incidents per capita than the suburban towns surrounding Hackensack. Property crime drives most of the gap — Hackensack's rates for larceny and vehicle-related offenses are notably above state medians. Violent crime rates, while elevated compared to nearby suburbs, are more in line with similarly sized New Jersey cities. For renters and buyers comparing Hackensack to neighboring communities like Teaneck, Paramus, or Englewood, running a side-by-side crime grade comparison on the DoorProfit crime map provides the clearest apples-to-apples view.