Highland Park, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Highland Park Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Highland Park has a crime rate that is 40% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 195.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 195
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 31
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
77% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Highland Park 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
|
163 | +63% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
141 | +41% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
135 | +35% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
128 | +28% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
171 | +71% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
157 | +57% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Highland Park Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Highland Park Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Highland Park zip codes.
Highland Park Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Highland Park, NJ?
Highland Park, NJ has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 195 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 31 chance for property crime. Highland Park has higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Highland Park, NJ safe to live in?
Highland Park has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Highland Park is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Highland Park?
The estimated violent crime rate in Highland Park is 513.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 195 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.1 per 100K (63% above average); aggravated assault at 379.0 per 100K (41% above average); robbery at 100.0 per 100K (35% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Highland Park?
The estimated property crime rate in Highland Park is 3,246.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 77% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 31 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 345.7 per 100K (28% above average); larceny/theft at 2,400.5 per 100K (71% above average); vehicle theft at 500.1 per 100K (57% above average).
How does Highland Park crime compare to the national average?
Highland Park's overall crime rate is 40% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (71% above average), while rape is 22% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Highland Park has higher crime than 85% of them.
Is Highland Park safe to visit?
Visitors to Highland Park should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 77% above 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 Highland Park crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Highland Park's crime rate is 40% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Highland Park?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Highland Park, with an estimated rate of 2,400.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 71% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,246 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (513 per 100K) in Highland Park, which is consistent with national trends.