Maplewood, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Maplewood, NJ

How safe is Maplewood, NJ overall?

Maplewood earns an overall crime grade of B+, placing it well above average for safety among New Jersey communities. With a population of approximately 25,135 and a poverty rate of just 4.4% — far below the national average — the socioeconomic conditions that often correlate with higher crime rates are largely absent here. The town's median household income of $149,568 and median home value of $542,506 reflect a stable, prosperous community where residents are invested in maintaining neighborhood safety. While no suburb is entirely crime-free, Maplewood's B+ grade signals that serious incidents are comparatively rare and that the community benefits from strong local institutions and active civic engagement.

What is the crime rate in Maplewood, NJ in 2026?

Maplewood's crime profile in 2026 reflects its B+ overall grade — a strong indicator that crime rates here are meaningfully lower than national and state benchmarks. The town's population density of 2,505 residents per square mile is moderate for Essex County, which helps law enforcement maintain visible coverage across neighborhoods. Property crimes, such as vehicle break-ins and opportunistic thefts, represent the most frequently reported incident category, while violent crimes remain a small fraction of total reports. The unemployment rate of 5.4% is a factor worth monitoring, as it sits slightly above some comparable suburbs, but the exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.4% helps offset that risk. Residents near the Springfield Avenue corridor and Maplewood Village commercial district should remain most alert to petty property incidents, as activity tends to concentrate around higher-traffic commercial zones.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Maplewood, NJ?

Based on available crime distribution data, residential areas closest to South Mountain Reservation and the streets surrounding Memorial Park consistently show lower incident concentrations. These neighborhoods benefit from lower foot traffic, strong owner-occupancy rates, and well-lit streets — all factors associated with reduced opportunistic crime. Maplewood Village, while a busier commercial hub, maintains a solid safety profile thanks to active community policing and a dense network of engaged residents. The town's overall B+ crime grade suggests that even its less-celebrated blocks perform respectably — no neighborhood within Maplewood registers the kind of concentrated crime activity that would drop its grade to a C or below. Families and renters comparing options should note that Maplewood's median rent of $1,838 reflects demand driven in part by its safety reputation.

How does Maplewood's crime compare to nearby towns?

Maplewood's B+ crime grade positions it favorably within Essex County, where several neighboring municipalities score lower due to higher poverty rates and greater population density. Maplewood's poverty rate of 4.4% is dramatically lower than the county average, and its median household income of $149,568 places it among the most economically secure communities in the region. These data points matter: research consistently shows that communities with low poverty and high median incomes sustain lower crime rates over time. Compared to urban centers closer to Newark, Maplewood's crime footprint is substantially smaller, particularly for violent offenses. Its B+ grade reflects a community that has maintained safety standards even as surrounding areas face greater challenges.

Is Maplewood, NJ a good place to live in 2026?

By nearly every measurable indicator, Maplewood ranks as an excellent place to live in 2026. Its B+ crime grade means residents enjoy above-average safety without sacrificing access to urban amenities — the town sits within easy commuting distance of New York City via NJ Transit. The median household income of $149,568 and median home value of $542,506 reflect sustained demand from professionals and families who prioritize both quality of life and safety. The unemployment rate of 5.4% is something to watch, but the poverty rate of just 4.4% — well under the U.S. average of roughly 12% — underscores the economic resilience of the local population. Neighborhoods like South Mountain Reservation, Maplewood Village, and the Memorial Park area offer distinct lifestyle options, all underpinned by the town's strong overall safety record. For buyers and renters evaluating the suburbs in 2026, Maplewood's combination of a B+ safety grade, low poverty, and high median income makes a compelling case.

What types of crime are most common in Maplewood, NJ?

Consistent with its B+ overall crime grade, Maplewood's incident reports skew heavily toward lower-severity property crimes rather than violent offenses. Theft-related incidents — including motor vehicle break-ins and package theft — represent the dominant share of reported crimes, a pattern typical of affluent, low-poverty suburbs where opportunistic property crime is more common than violence. Vandalism and minor disorderly conduct reports surface periodically, particularly around the Springfield Avenue commercial corridor and Maplewood Village where foot traffic is highest. Violent crimes such as aggravated assault and robbery account for a notably small percentage of total incidents, consistent with the town's low 4.4% poverty rate and strong community cohesion. Residents can reduce their personal risk exposure significantly by securing vehicles, using porch cameras, and staying connected to neighborhood alert networks — standard precautions that align with the property-crime-heavy profile Maplewood's data reflects.