Asbury Park, NJ Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Asbury Park, NJ

Is Asbury Park safe to live in or visit?

Asbury Park earns an overall city-wide Safety Rating of B (Safe) when neighborhood-level data is examined across its six analyzed districts. Specifically, 83% of neighborhoods fall into the safe category (grades A or B), while only 17% — represented solely by West Asbury Park — carry a higher-crime designation (Grade D-). Three neighborhoods — Cold Indian Springs, Cedar Village at Ocean, and Rolling Meadows — hold A-range grades, meaning half of all analyzed neighborhoods rank among the safest possible. For visitors sticking to the beachfront and arts districts, and for residents in the northern and eastern portions of the city, day-to-day safety conditions are generally favorable. West Asbury Park, which houses roughly 40% of the city's population (about 6,300 residents) and carries a median household income of just $37,906, is the area most worth researching further before making housing or activity decisions.

What does the overall crime grade of F mean for Asbury Park?

Asbury Park's overall crime grade of F reflects city-wide crime rate benchmarks compared against national averages — a metric that can be heavily influenced by a small number of high-density, lower-income areas. In Asbury Park's case, West Asbury Park (Grade D-), with a population of 6,300 and a median household income of $37,906, pulls the aggregate figure down significantly. However, this city-wide grade contrasts sharply with the neighborhood-level picture: 50% of neighborhoods earn an A grade, and 33% earn a B grade. No neighborhood received an F. This divergence underscores why looking at granular neighborhood data — rather than a single city-wide number — gives a more accurate picture of where safety conditions actually stand on the ground.

Which neighborhoods in Asbury Park have the lowest crime rates?

Based on 2026 crime data across six analyzed neighborhoods, the safest areas in Asbury Park are:

• Cold Indian Springs — Grade A+: Population of 1,829 and a median household income of $177,440, the highest in the city. This neighborhood consistently ranks at the top of safety metrics.
• Cedar Village at Ocean — Grade A+: With 2,282 residents and a median household income of $167,886, this area mirrors Cold Indian Springs in both affluence and safety outcomes.
• Rolling Meadows — Grade A-: Home to 2,148 residents with a median household income of $95,403, Rolling Meadows represents a strong mid-tier safe neighborhood accessible to a broader income range.
• Oak Mews — Grade B+: Population of 3,044 and median income of $68,336 — the largest of the safer neighborhoods by population count.
• Wertheins Corner — Grade B+: 2,024 residents and a median income of $76,128, rounding out the top five safest areas.

Collectively, these five neighborhoods represent approximately 83% of analyzed areas and are home to a combined population of roughly 11,327 residents — or about 73% of the city's total population.

Which area of Asbury Park has the highest crime?

West Asbury Park is the only neighborhood in the city to receive a high-crime designation, earning a Grade D-. It is also the city's most populous neighborhood, with approximately 6,300 residents — more than all five safer neighborhoods combined. Its median household income of $37,906 is the lowest of any analyzed neighborhood and sits well below the city median of $53,655. These socioeconomic conditions correlate strongly with elevated crime rates in national research. If you are evaluating housing or planning extended time in Asbury Park, consulting the interactive crime map for West Asbury Park's specific block-level data is advisable.

How does income correlate with crime across Asbury Park's neighborhoods?

The relationship between household income and crime grade in Asbury Park is striking and consistent across all six neighborhoods. The two top-rated neighborhoods — Cold Indian Springs (A+) and Cedar Village at Ocean (A+) — report median incomes of $177,440 and $167,886, respectively. As grades descend, so do incomes: Rolling Meadows (A-) at $95,403, Wertheins Corner (B+) at $76,128, Oak Mews (B+) at $68,336, and finally West Asbury Park (D-) at $37,906. The income gap between the safest and least-safe neighborhood is more than $139,000 — nearly a 4.7x difference. This pattern mirrors national trends where poverty rates and unemployment levels (Asbury Park's unemployment sits at 8.3% with a poverty rate of 22.5%) are concentrated in specific pockets rather than distributed evenly across a city.

Is Asbury Park a good place to buy a home in 2026?

Asbury Park's median home value of $397,363 and median rent of $1,292 reflect a real estate market that has benefited from the city's cultural cachet and coastal location. For homebuyers prioritizing safety, neighborhoods like Cold Indian Springs, Cedar Village at Ocean, and Rolling Meadows — all graded A-range — offer the most favorable crime environments, though their higher median incomes suggest property prices in those areas likely exceed the city median. Oak Mews (B+, pop. 3,044) may represent a middle-ground option, offering solid safety grades with a more moderate income profile ($68,336 median). West Asbury Park's D- grade and lower median income ($37,906) mean entry prices there may be lower, but prospective buyers should weigh that against the neighborhood's current crime profile. With 83% of the city's neighborhoods rated B or better, Asbury Park does offer genuine safe-neighborhood options for buyers willing to research at the block level.

How does Asbury Park's crime compare to other small New Jersey cities?

Asbury Park's city-wide crime grade of F places it in a challenging position relative to many New Jersey municipalities of similar size, largely driven by concentrated crime in West Asbury Park (Grade D-), which alone accounts for roughly 40% of the city's 15,536 residents. However, the neighborhood-level distribution tells a more nuanced story: 50% of neighborhoods earn an A grade and 33% earn a B, with zero neighborhoods receiving an F. Cities of comparable population density (Asbury Park sits at 4,197 residents per square mile) often show similarly uneven distributions. The city's 22.5% poverty rate — significantly above the New Jersey state average — is a primary driver of its aggregate crime score and is concentrated in specific areas rather than spread evenly across all districts.