Lawrence, MA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Lawrence, MA

What is Lawrence's overall crime grade?

Lawrence, MA receives an overall crime grade of C- for 2026. This grade reflects a city that faces measurable public safety challenges relative to national benchmarks, influenced in part by structural factors including an 11% unemployment rate and a 21% poverty rate — both significantly above Massachusetts state averages. A C- grade means residents and prospective movers should exercise awareness, particularly in higher-activity corridors, while recognizing that many residential pockets of Lawrence remain stable and community-oriented.

How does Lawrence's crime rate compare to similar cities?

With a population of approximately 80,022 and a population density of 4,458 residents per square mile, Lawrence is one of the more densely populated mid-size cities in Essex County. Its C- overall crime grade places it below the performance of neighboring communities like Andover and Methuen, which benefit from lower poverty rates and higher median household incomes. Lawrence's median household income of $45,045 is considerably lower than the Massachusetts state median, a factor that research consistently links to elevated property and violent crime rates in urban areas.

What types of crime are most common in Lawrence?

Property crimes — including larceny, motor vehicle theft, and burglary — represent the most frequently reported incident categories in Lawrence. Violent crimes such as assault and robbery are also present, with concentrations observed in and around the downtown district and densely populated corridors. Drug-related offenses have historically been a persistent challenge, with law enforcement and community organizations actively working on intervention strategies. The city's crime map reflects that incidents are not uniformly distributed: certain neighborhoods see disproportionately higher activity, while others record relatively few reports. Reviewing the interactive crime map by incident type and time period gives the clearest picture of where and when specific crimes occur.

What are the safest areas in Lawrence?

Within Lawrence, areas situated near the city's borders with Andover to the north and Methuen to the west tend to show lower incident densities on the crime map. Residential neighborhoods further from the downtown core and the Merrimack River industrial corridor generally report fewer property and violent crime incidents. Community-anchored blocks with active neighborhood associations and higher rates of owner-occupied housing — reflected in the city's median home value of $281,180 — tend to correlate with stronger informal safety networks. Consulting the Lawrence crime map filtered by neighborhood and incident type will give you the most current, granular view of relative safety across the city.

Is Lawrence a good place to live given its crime grade?

A C- crime grade signals that Lawrence has real public safety challenges, but it does not tell the whole story. The city offers a median rent of just $1,188 and a median home value of $281,180, making it one of the more affordable urban options in the Greater Boston region. Its dense, diverse community of 80,022 residents supports a rich cultural fabric, strong immigrant entrepreneurship, and accessible public transit. Prospective residents should weigh the crime grade alongside neighborhood-specific data from the crime map, factoring in proximity to schools, transit, and community resources. Many Lawrence residents report strong neighborhood bonds that contribute meaningfully to day-to-day safety beyond what any single grade can capture.

What is the poverty rate in Lawrence and how does it affect crime?

Lawrence's poverty rate stands at 21%, more than double the national average of roughly 11–12%. Combined with an unemployment rate of 11%, these economic pressures create conditions that criminologists consistently associate with higher rates of both property and violent crime. It is important to note, however, that the vast majority of Lawrence residents experiencing poverty are not perpetrators of crime — they are often its most vulnerable victims. Understanding this context helps explain the city's C- grade while also pointing toward the community investment, job creation, and social services that are most effective at improving long-term safety outcomes.

How can I use the Lawrence crime map effectively?

To get the most out of the Lawrence crime map, start by filtering incidents by crime type — separating property crimes from violent offenses gives a clearer risk picture for specific activities like parking a car overnight versus walking after dark. Use the time-range filter to identify whether incidents in a given area are increasing or decreasing over recent months. Heat map overlays highlight concentration zones, which in Lawrence tend to cluster around the downtown area and certain high-density residential blocks. Cross-referencing map data with Lawrence's population density of 4,458 per square mile helps contextualize raw incident counts — a neighborhood with many reported incidents but very high residential density may actually have a lower per-capita rate than it first appears.