Clayton, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Clayton Safe?
Yes — Clayton has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Clayton has a crime rate that is 36% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 545.
100% of Clayton neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety, while 0% have high crime rates.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 545
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
52% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 104
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
48% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Clayton 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
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
35 | -65% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
32 | -68% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Clayton Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Clayton?
Safety varies dramatically across Clayton's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Clayton
All Clayton Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camp Salute Apartments | A- | 114 |
Clayton Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Clayton zip codes.
Clayton Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Clayton, NJ?
Clayton, NJ has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 36% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 545 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 104 chance for property crime. Clayton has lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Clayton, NJ safe to live in?
Clayton is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Clayton is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Clayton?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Clayton are Camp Salute Apartments. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What is the violent crime rate in Clayton?
The estimated violent crime rate in Clayton is 183.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 52% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 545 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (42% below average); aggravated assault at 144.3 per 100K (46% below average); robbery at 25.6 per 100K (65% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Clayton?
The estimated property crime rate in Clayton is 960.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 104 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 130.2 per 100K (52% below average); larceny/theft at 693.7 per 100K (51% below average); vehicle theft at 136.1 per 100K (57% below average).
How does Clayton crime compare to the national average?
Clayton's overall crime rate is 36% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (42% below average), while rape is 68% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Clayton has lower crime than 70% of them.
Is Clayton safe to visit?
Clayton is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 48% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Camp Salute Apartments.
How does Clayton crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Clayton's crime rate is 36% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Clayton?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Clayton, with an estimated rate of 693.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 51% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (960 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (183 per 100K) in Clayton, which is consistent with national trends.