Howell, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Howell, NJ

Is Howell, NJ safe in 2026?

Yes — Howell earns an overall crime grade of A, placing it firmly in the "Very Safe" tier. Every one of the analyzed neighborhoods, including Heritage Woods, holds a Grade A rating, meaning 100% of Howell's mapped areas are classified as safe. In the last 90 days, 1,886 incidents were recorded across a population of 52,053, and the vast majority of those were property-related rather than violent. For context, theft alone accounted for 51% (971 incidents) of all reported crimes, while violent categories such as robbery represented just 1% (25 incidents) and weapons offenses 2% (30 incidents). That distribution is consistent with a low-risk suburban community.

What is the crime rate in Howell, NJ?

Howell's crime profile earns a letter grade of A — the highest possible rating. Looking at the most recent 90-day incident window (1,886 total reports), property crime dominates the picture: theft at 51%, vandalism at 13%, and burglary at 10% together account for roughly three-quarters of all reported activity. Violent crime is comparatively rare: assault made up 15% of incidents (274 cases), while robbery (1%, 25 cases) and weapons offenses (2%, 30 cases) were the least frequent categories logged. Drug offenses represented 3% (62 incidents) and sexual offenses 5% (85 incidents). This breakdown reflects a community where residents are far more likely to encounter a property crime than a violent one.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Howell, NJ?

Based on the crime map data analyzed for 2026, Heritage Woods is Howell's top-rated neighborhood, carrying a Grade A safety rating. With a population of 679 and a median household income of $123,183 — well above Howell's already-strong citywide median of $110,021 — Heritage Woods reflects the kind of stable, prosperous enclave that correlates with low crime activity. Notably, Heritage Woods is also the area flagged as the highest-crime zone in Howell, yet it still holds an A grade, underscoring just how uniformly safe the township is across the board. 100% of analyzed neighborhoods fall into the A or B combined "safe" category, and all 100% are specifically Grade A.

What types of crimes happen most often in Howell?

Property crime is by far the most common category in Howell. In the last 90 days, theft led all incident types at 51% (971 reports), followed by assault at 15% (274), vandalism at 13% (241), and burglary at 10% (198). Together, those four categories account for nearly 90% of all reported incidents. Less frequent but still tracked: sexual offenses at 5% (85), drug offenses at 3% (62), weapons charges at 2% (30), and robbery at just 1% (25). The relative rarity of robbery and weapons incidents compared to theft and vandalism is a hallmark of safer suburban townships like Howell.

Is Howell, NJ a good place to live?

By virtually every measurable indicator, Howell ranks as an excellent place to live. The township's overall crime grade of A is backed by real incident data showing that violent offenses — robbery, weapons, and assault combined — make up less than 20% of all reported crime. On the economic side, the median household income sits at $110,021, the median home value is $356,762, and the poverty rate is a low 5.8%. The unemployment rate of 5.5% and a median rent of $1,606 round out a picture of financial stability. Add in a population density of just 333 people per square mile — giving residents space without isolation — and Howell consistently checks the boxes for families, remote workers, and retirees looking for a secure, affordable suburban lifestyle in Monmouth County.

How does Howell compare to other New Jersey towns for safety?

Howell's Grade A overall safety rating puts it among the top tier of New Jersey municipalities. With 100% of its analyzed neighborhoods rated Grade A and no neighborhoods graded B, C, D, or F, Howell's safety consistency is notable. The incident data reinforces this: in a township of over 52,000 residents, the 90-day crime log of 1,886 incidents skews heavily toward lower-severity property crimes like theft (51%) and vandalism (13%), rather than the violent crimes that drive down safety scores in higher-risk communities. Heritage Woods, even as the area with the most recorded activity, still maintains an A grade — a strong signal that Howell's safety floor is genuinely high.