Phillipsburg, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Phillipsburg, NJ

What is Phillipsburg's overall crime grade?

Phillipsburg, NJ earns an overall crime grade of C+ for 2026. This places the town in a middle-tier safety range — not among New Jersey's most dangerous communities, but with enough criminal activity to warrant awareness. A C+ grade reflects a mix of property crimes and occasional violent incidents that are common in post-industrial river towns of similar size and economic profile. Residents should treat this grade as a prompt to stay informed rather than alarmed, particularly since many incidents tend to cluster in specific commercial corridors rather than spreading evenly across all residential areas.

What is the crime rate in Phillipsburg, and what drives it?

Phillipsburg's crime profile is shaped by several measurable socioeconomic factors. With a poverty rate of 15.8% — noticeably above the New Jersey state average — and an unemployment rate of 5%, the town faces economic pressures that correlate with higher property crime rates in comparable communities. The median household income of $54,583 and a median home value of $142,935 both fall well below state medians, reflecting the economic strain that can contribute to opportunistic offenses like theft and vandalism. Property crimes — particularly shoplifting, vehicle break-ins, and vandalism — represent the most frequently reported incident types in Phillipsburg. Violent crime exists but remains a smaller share of total incidents. The town's population density of 1,730 residents per square mile across a population of roughly 14,303 means that crime, when it occurs, can feel more concentrated in certain blocks or commercial zones.

Is Phillipsburg safe to live in?

For most residents, Phillipsburg is a livable community with a C+ safety grade — meaning safety is adequate but uneven depending on where you are in town. The majority of daily life proceeds without incident for the roughly 14,300 residents. However, certain pockets near high-traffic commercial areas and older industrial corridors see a disproportionate share of reported incidents. Property crime is the dominant concern: theft-related offenses account for the largest share of police reports, while assault and other violent offenses make up a smaller but non-trivial percentage. Residents who take standard precautions — securing vehicles, using outdoor lighting, and engaging with neighborhood watch programs — generally report feeling safe. The median rent of $971/month makes Phillipsburg affordable relative to much of New Jersey, which attracts working families who contribute to community stability.

What are the safest areas in and around Phillipsburg?

Within Phillipsburg, residential neighborhoods with higher owner-occupancy rates and active community engagement tend to see lower crime frequencies. Areas closer to well-maintained parks and schools generally post better safety profiles than blocks adjacent to vacant commercial properties or high-turnover rental corridors. Nearby Lopatcong Township, which borders Phillipsburg to the south and east, consistently records lower crime rates and offers a quieter suburban alternative for families prioritizing safety. Across the Delaware River, Easton, PA provides another reference point, though it carries its own distinct crime profile. Within Phillipsburg proper, the downtown historic district has seen community reinvestment efforts that correlate with improved safety metrics over recent years. When using the Phillipsburg crime map, filtering by neighborhood and time period will give you the most granular picture of which specific blocks trend safer.

How does Phillipsburg's C+ crime grade compare to other NJ towns?

A C+ overall crime grade places Phillipsburg roughly in the middle of the safety spectrum for small New Jersey municipalities. Towns with grades of A or B typically have lower poverty rates, higher median incomes, and lower population density — conditions that Phillipsburg does not fully share given its 15.8% poverty rate and post-industrial economic base. Compared to similarly sized river towns and former manufacturing hubs in Warren County and along the Delaware, Phillipsburg's C+ is neither exceptional nor alarming. It signals that targeted improvements — particularly around property crime prevention and economic opportunity — could meaningfully move the grade upward. For context, an A-grade town in NJ typically sees property crime rates roughly 40–50% lower than Phillipsburg's current profile, while an F-grade town would see violent crime rates two to three times higher.

What types of crime are most common in Phillipsburg?

Property crimes dominate Phillipsburg's incident reports and are the primary driver of the town's C+ overall grade. Theft — including shoplifting, motor vehicle theft, and theft from vehicles — consistently represents the largest category of reported offenses. Vandalism and criminal mischief are the next most frequently recorded incident types, often concentrated near commercial strips and parking areas. Burglary incidents, while less frequent than simple theft, do occur and tend to spike during certain seasonal periods. Violent crimes, including assault, make up a smaller percentage of total incidents but are not absent from the data. Drug-related offenses also appear in police reports at a rate consistent with towns sharing Phillipsburg's 15.8% poverty rate and 5% unemployment. Understanding this breakdown matters: a town's overall grade can be pulled down primarily by high-volume but lower-severity property crimes, which is largely the case here. Residents concerned about personal safety should note that violent crime, while present, is not the dominant pattern in Phillipsburg's crime data.

Is Phillipsburg a good place to buy a home from a safety standpoint?

From a pure safety-grade perspective, Phillipsburg's C+ rating means prospective buyers should do neighborhood-level due diligence rather than treating the town as uniformly safe or unsafe. The median home value of $142,935 is substantially below the New Jersey state median, which partly reflects both the economic profile and the safety grade — risk and affordability are often correlated in real estate markets. Buyers who research specific blocks using the Phillipsburg crime map, focus on areas near Lopatcong Township borders or established residential streets, and factor in proximity to active community institutions tend to find pockets of genuine stability. The median rent of $971/month also signals that the rental market remains accessible, giving the town a steady base of long-term residents who contribute to neighborhood cohesion. A C+ grade is not a disqualifier for homeownership — it is a prompt to ask sharper questions about specific locations within the town.