Dorchester, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Dorchester Safe?
Yes — Dorchester is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Dorchester has a crime rate that is 50% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 575.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 575
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
54% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 808
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
93% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Dorchester 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
|
36 | -64% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
50 | -50% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
32 | -68% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
31 | -69% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
2 | -98% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
2 | -98% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Dorchester Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Dorchester Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Dorchester zip codes.
Dorchester Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Dorchester, NJ?
Dorchester, NJ has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 50% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 575 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 808 chance for property crime. Dorchester has lower crime than 94% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Dorchester, NJ safe to live in?
Dorchester 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 Dorchester is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Dorchester?
The estimated violent crime rate in Dorchester is 173.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 54% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 575 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.8 per 100K (64% below average); aggravated assault at 134.4 per 100K (50% below average); robbery at 23.3 per 100K (68% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Dorchester?
The estimated property crime rate in Dorchester is 123.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 93% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 808 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 83.9 per 100K (69% below average); larceny/theft at 32.5 per 100K (98% below average); vehicle theft at 7.4 per 100K (98% below average).
How does Dorchester crime compare to the national average?
Dorchester's overall crime rate is 50% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (50% below average), while larceny/theft is 98% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Dorchester has lower crime than 94% of them.
Is Dorchester safe to visit?
Dorchester is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 93% 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 Dorchester crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Dorchester's crime rate is 50% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Dorchester?
Aggravated assault is the most common crime in Dorchester, with an estimated rate of 134.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 50% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (124 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (174 per 100K) in Dorchester, which is consistent with national trends.