Essex, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Essex Safe?
Yes — Essex is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Essex has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 605.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 605
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
57% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 363
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
85% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Essex 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
|
34 | -66% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
10 | -90% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
12 | -88% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
29 | -71% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
11 | -89% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
13 | -87% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Essex Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Essex Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Essex zip codes.
Essex Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Essex, MA?
Essex, MA 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 605 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 363 chance for property crime. Essex has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Essex, MA safe to live in?
Essex 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 Essex is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Essex?
The estimated violent crime rate in Essex is 165.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 605 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.7 per 100K (66% below average); aggravated assault at 152.1 per 100K (43% below average); robbery at 7.4 per 100K (90% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Essex?
The estimated property crime rate in Essex is 275.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 85% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 363 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 79.3 per 100K (71% below average); larceny/theft at 154.5 per 100K (89% below average); vehicle theft at 41.8 per 100K (87% below average).
How does Essex crime compare to the national average?
Essex's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (43% below average), while robbery is 90% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Essex has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Essex safe to visit?
Essex is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 85% 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 Essex crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Essex's crime rate is 54% below the national average, making it safer the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in Essex?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Essex, with an estimated rate of 154.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 89% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (276 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (165 per 100K) in Essex, which is consistent with national trends.