Carteret, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 89% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Carteret Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Carteret has a crime rate that is 52% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 194.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 194
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 40
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
35% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Carteret Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
135 | +35% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
140 | +40% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
120 | +20% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
136 | +36% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
118 | +18% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
140 | +40% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Carteret Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Carteret Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Carteret zip codes.
Carteret Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Carteret, NJ?
Carteret, NJ has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 194 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 40 chance for property crime. Carteret has higher crime than 89% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Carteret, NJ safe to live in?
Carteret has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Carteret is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Carteret?
The estimated violent crime rate in Carteret is 515.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 194 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.7 per 100K (35% above average); aggravated assault at 376.0 per 100K (40% above average); robbery at 88.5 per 100K (20% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Carteret?
The estimated property crime rate in Carteret is 2,474.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 40 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 367.3 per 100K (36% above average); larceny/theft at 1,660.3 per 100K (18% above average); vehicle theft at 447.0 per 100K (40% above average).
How does Carteret crime compare to the national average?
Carteret's overall crime rate is 52% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (40% above average), while larceny/theft is 18% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Carteret has higher crime than 89% of them.
Is Carteret safe to visit?
Visitors to Carteret should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 35% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Carteret crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Carteret's crime rate is 52% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Carteret?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Carteret, with an estimated rate of 1,660.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 18% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,475 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (515 per 100K) in Carteret, which is consistent with national trends.