Dorchester Neighborhood, Dorchester
Crime Rate & Statistics
Good safety — crime rates are below the national average
Safer than 50% of neighborhoods in Dorchester
Safety at a Glance
Check a specific address
in Dorchester
Is Dorchester Safe?
Yes — this neighborhood has good safety. Dorchester in Dorchester, MA has a safety grade of B. The overall crime index is 115, which is 15% above the national average of 100. Dorchester is safer than 50% of neighborhoods in Dorchester.
Compared to the Dorchester average (crime index 130), Dorchester is 15% lower in overall crime.
Looking at specific crime types, vehicle theft is the most elevated concern (index: 126, 26% above average), while burglary is the lowest risk (index: 71).
Dorchester Crime Breakdown
Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Dorchester city average. Higher values mean more crime.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
103 | +3% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
114 | +14% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
118 | +18% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
103 | +3% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
126 | +26% | Moderate | |
How Dorchester Compares
Crime index by category: Dorchester vs Dorchester average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
Dorchester Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
See the crime score for a specific address
Dorchester Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Dorchester, Dorchester?
Dorchester in Dorchester, MA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime index is 115, which is 15% above the national average. Compared to the Dorchester average, crime in Dorchester is 15% lower. Dorchester is safer than 50% of neighborhoods in Dorchester.
Is Dorchester a safe neighborhood in Dorchester?
Dorchester is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Dorchester, earning a crime grade of B. The highest concern is Vehicle Theft (index: 126), while Burglary is the lowest risk (index: 71). It is one of the safest neighborhoods in Dorchester.
How does Dorchester compare to the rest of Dorchester?
Dorchester's overall crime index is 115, compared to the Dorchester average of 130. This means crime in Dorchester is 15% lower than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 103, and for property crime it is 100. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.
What type of crime is most common in Dorchester?
The most prevalent crime type in Dorchester is Vehicle Theft, with a crime index of 126 (26% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.
What are safer neighborhoods near Dorchester?
Nearby neighborhoods include Roxbury. Check their individual crime statistics pages for detailed safety information.
What are the demographics of Dorchester?
Dorchester has a population of approximately 125,424. The median household income is $63,837. The median home value is $612,000. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does Dorchester crime compare to the national average?
Dorchester's overall crime rate is 15% above the national average (index 115 vs 100). Within Dorchester, it is safer than 50% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.
Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.