Chatham, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Chatham Safe?
Yes — Chatham is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Chatham has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 424.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 424
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 71
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
23% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Chatham 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
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
15 | -85% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
108 | +8% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Chatham Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Chatham Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Chatham zip codes.
Chatham Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Chatham, NJ?
Chatham, NJ has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 54% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 424 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 71 chance for property crime. Chatham has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Chatham, NJ safe to live in?
Chatham is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Chatham is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Chatham?
The estimated violent crime rate in Chatham is 235.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 424 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.2 per 100K (55% below average); aggravated assault at 187.8 per 100K (30% below average); robbery at 41.0 per 100K (45% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Chatham?
The estimated property crime rate in Chatham is 1,407.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 23% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 71 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 117.6 per 100K (56% below average); larceny/theft at 944.6 per 100K (33% below average); vehicle theft at 345.4 per 100K (8% above average).
How does Chatham crime compare to the national average?
Chatham's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (8% above average), while rape is 85% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chatham has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Chatham safe to visit?
Chatham is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 23% below 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 Chatham crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Chatham's crime rate is 54% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Chatham?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Chatham, with an estimated rate of 944.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 33% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,408 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (236 per 100K) in Chatham, which is consistent with national trends.