Petersham, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Last updated: May 7, 2026
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated May 2026
Summary: Petersham, MA Crime Rate (2026)
Petersham, MA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 53% below the national average. Petersham has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) & local law enforcement agencies. Last updated: May 7, 2026.
Is Petersham Safe?
Yes — Petersham is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Petersham has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 593.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 593
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
56% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 957
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
94% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Petersham 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
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
19 | -81% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
2 | -98% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
7 | -93% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Petersham Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Petersham Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Petersham zip codes.
Petersham Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Petersham, MA?
Petersham, MA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 53% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 593 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 957 chance for property crime. Petersham has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Petersham, MA safe to live in?
Petersham 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 Petersham is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Petersham?
The estimated violent crime rate in Petersham is 168.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 56% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 593 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (54% below average); aggravated assault at 107.2 per 100K (60% below average); robbery at 41.6 per 100K (44% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Petersham?
The estimated property crime rate in Petersham is 104.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 94% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 957 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 51.9 per 100K (81% below average); larceny/theft at 30.6 per 100K (98% below average); vehicle theft at 22.0 per 100K (93% below average).
How does Petersham crime compare to the national average?
Petersham's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (44% below average), while larceny/theft is 98% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Petersham has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Petersham safe to visit?
Petersham is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 94% 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 Petersham crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Petersham's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in Petersham?
Aggravated assault is the most common crime in Petersham, with an estimated rate of 107.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 60% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (105 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (169 per 100K) in Petersham, which is consistent with national trends.