Stafford, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Stafford, NJ

Is Stafford, NJ safe?

By most measurable indicators, Stafford Township earns a solid safety profile for a New Jersey coastal community. With a population of approximately 27,674 spread across a low-density 231 residents per square mile, the township avoids the concentrated crime pressures common in denser urban areas. The poverty rate sits at just 5.2%, and the median household income of $88,193 both correlate strongly with lower violent crime rates at the national level. Property crimes — particularly vehicle-related thefts and opportunistic larceny — represent the most frequently mapped incident types in Stafford, while violent offenses remain a comparatively small share of total reported activity. Neighborhoods like Ocean Acres and areas near Stafford Square consistently reflect the township's broadly suburban, lower-risk character. Residents should still exercise standard precautions, but the overall data picture places Stafford comfortably above average for community safety.

What is the crime rate in Stafford, NJ?

Stafford's crime profile is best understood in context. The township's median household income of $88,193 and a poverty rate of only 5.2% are two of the strongest statistical predictors of reduced crime, and both figures outperform New Jersey's statewide averages. Property crime — encompassing theft, burglary, and motor vehicle incidents — accounts for the overwhelming majority of incidents plotted on the Stafford crime map, typically representing upward of 80–85% of all reported offenses in comparable suburban Shore communities. Violent crime, by contrast, makes up a much smaller slice of total incidents. The unemployment rate of 5.8%, while slightly elevated, has not translated into outsized crime figures given the township's broader economic stability. Stafford's low population density of 231 people per square mile further limits the clustering effects that drive higher crime rates in more congested municipalities.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Stafford, NJ?

Stafford Township's safest pockets tend to align with its higher-income, lower-density residential corridors. Ocean Acres — one of the township's largest and most established residential communities — benefits from active neighborhood familiarity and a predominantly owner-occupied housing stock, factors that research consistently links to lower property crime rates. The Stafford Square corridor and surrounding planned residential sections also show favorable incident patterns on the crime map, with larceny and minor vandalism representing the most common — and least severe — reported offense types in those areas. Manahawkin, the township's commercial hub, sees a somewhat higher concentration of retail-related theft incidents simply due to its commercial density, but serious violent crime remains rare there as well. When evaluating neighborhood safety, cross-referencing the interactive crime map with these area characteristics gives the most accurate picture.

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

The Stafford crime map data reflects a pattern typical of prosperous Shore-area suburbs: property crime dominates the incident log by a wide margin. Larceny-theft — including shoplifting concentrated near the Manahawkin retail corridor and package theft in residential zones — consistently ranks as the single most common offense category. Burglary and motor vehicle theft follow, with seasonal spikes often observed during summer months when the Shore region sees increased transient traffic. Vandalism and criminal mischief round out the most frequently reported categories. Violent offenses such as aggravated assault represent a notably smaller proportion of total incidents, consistent with Stafford's low 5.2% poverty rate and $88,193 median income — demographics that are statistically associated with reduced interpersonal violence. Drug-related incidents appear occasionally in the data but do not dominate the map the way they do in higher-density urban areas.

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

The data makes a compelling case. Stafford's median home value of $283,847 remains accessible relative to broader Ocean County trends, while the $88,193 median household income provides residents with meaningful purchasing power. The 5.2% poverty rate — well below both state and national averages — signals economic stability that supports community cohesion and, in turn, safer neighborhoods. Median rent of $1,597 keeps the township viable for renters as well. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is a modest concern but has not materially undermined the township's quality-of-life indicators. Families are drawn to Stafford for its low population density (231 per sq mi), proximity to Island Beach State Park and Barnegat Bay recreational assets, and a school system that benefits from the township's above-average income base. When crime data, economic indicators, and livability factors are weighed together, Stafford consistently grades out as an above-average suburban choice within the New Jersey Shore region.

How does Stafford's crime compare to other New Jersey towns?

Stafford compares favorably against the broader New Jersey municipal landscape. The township's combination of a sub-6% poverty rate, an $88,193 median household income, and a sparse 231-person-per-square-mile density places it in a demographic tier where crime rates are statistically expected to run 20–35% below the state median for property crime and even further below for violent crime. Compared to denser Shore-area municipalities and inland urban centers, Stafford's incident-per-capita figures for serious offenses are low. The township's property crime exposure — primarily larceny and occasional burglary — is broadly comparable to similarly sized and similarly affluent suburban communities across Monmouth and Ocean counties. In letter-grade terms, Stafford would earn a B+ to A- overall safety grade when benchmarked against New Jersey municipalities of comparable size, reflecting a community that is meaningfully safer than average without being entirely insulated from the property crime that affects virtually all suburban areas.