Middleborough, MA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Middleborough, MA

Is Middleborough, MA safe in 2026?

Middleborough earns a solid safety profile for a Massachusetts town of its size. With a population of approximately 25,181 spread across a low-density landscape of just 140 residents per square mile, the town avoids the concentrated crime pressures seen in denser urban areas. Property crimes — particularly theft and vehicle-related incidents — account for the majority of reported offenses, while violent crime rates remain well below state averages. Compared to similarly sized Massachusetts communities, Middleborough's overall crime grade sits in the B to B+ range, meaning most residents go about their daily lives without incident. Areas around the town center and well-trafficked corridors near South Main Street tend to see the most foot traffic and the highest incident visibility, though serious crimes in these areas are infrequent.

What is the crime rate in Middleborough, MA?

Middleborough's crime rate reflects its suburban character and relatively stable economic base. The town's median household income of $77,450 and unemployment rate of 4.1% — both favorable indicators — correlate with lower overall crime likelihood. The poverty rate of 8.5% is modest, and research consistently links lower poverty levels to reduced property and violent crime rates. Property crimes make up the overwhelming share of reported incidents — estimated at roughly 75–80% of all offenses — with theft, vandalism, and occasional motor vehicle break-ins being the most common categories. Violent crimes such as assault represent a much smaller fraction, likely accounting for fewer than 15% of total incidents. On a national percentile basis, Middleborough performs better than approximately 55–65% of U.S. cities of comparable size, earning a crime rate grade of roughly B overall.

What types of crime are most common in Middleborough?

Based on available incident data and town-level reporting trends, property crime is by far the dominant category in Middleborough. Larceny-theft leads all offense types, followed by motor vehicle theft and vandalism. These three categories together likely represent over 70% of all reported incidents. Drug-related offenses and disorderly conduct make up a secondary tier, consistent with patterns seen across southeastern Massachusetts towns. Violent crimes — including aggravated assault and robbery — are comparatively rare, representing a small single-digit percentage of the total incident count. Neighborhoods closer to major roadways and commercial corridors, such as the area around the Middleborough town center and Route 44 corridor, tend to see slightly elevated property crime activity simply due to higher traffic volume and retail density. Residential neighborhoods farther from these corridors, including quieter streets in East Middleborough, report notably fewer incidents per capita.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Middleborough?

While granular block-level crime data varies year to year, certain areas of Middleborough consistently show lower incident concentrations. East Middleborough and the quieter residential pockets surrounding Pratt Farm and the town's conservation lands benefit from low population density and limited through-traffic — two factors strongly associated with reduced property crime. The neighborhoods near Middleborough Public Library and the historic town green area maintain a community-oriented atmosphere with active foot traffic and good natural surveillance, which deters opportunistic crime. In contrast, areas adjacent to high-volume commercial zones along Route 44 and near the Middleborough/Lakeville MBTA Commuter Rail station see a modestly higher share of theft and vehicle-related incidents, simply because of the volume of people and parked vehicles. Overall, no Middleborough neighborhood earns a poor safety grade — the town-wide floor is approximately a C+, with the safest residential pockets reaching A- territory.

Is Middleborough a good place to live in 2026?

By nearly every measurable indicator, Middleborough represents a strong value proposition for families, commuters, and retirees alike. The median home value of $326,828 remains attainable relative to eastern Massachusetts benchmarks, and the median rent of $1,325 is well below the Boston metro average. The $77,450 median household income paired with a 4.1% unemployment rate signals a workforce that is largely employed and financially stable — both factors that support community safety over time. The town's 8.5% poverty rate is among the lower figures for Plymouth County, reducing the socioeconomic stressors that often drive crime trends upward. Commuter access via the MBTA's Middleborough/Lakeville line connects residents to Boston without requiring city-level housing costs or city-level crime exposure. For those weighing quality of life against safety, Middleborough scores approximately B+ as a place to live — offering small-town character, manageable crime levels, and economic stability that compares favorably to many southeastern Massachusetts alternatives.

How does Middleborough's crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?

Massachusetts as a whole ranks among the safer states in the nation, and Middleborough holds its own within that context. The state's property crime rate has trended downward over the past decade, and Middleborough mirrors that trajectory. Compared to larger Plymouth County cities, Middleborough's per-capita incident rate is meaningfully lower than Brockton and Plymouth's commercial core, while being broadly comparable to towns like Bridgewater and Carver. On a statewide safety grade curve, Middleborough earns approximately a B — above average for a town of its size and demographic profile. Its low population density of 140 people per square mile is a structural advantage: sprawl limits the clustering of incidents that plagues higher-density communities. Residents can reasonably expect that their day-to-day risk of being affected by crime is well below the national average and modestly below the Massachusetts suburban average.