Union City, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 39% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Union City Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Union City has a crime rate that is 9% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 408.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 408
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
36% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 54
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
1% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Union City 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
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
107 | +7% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Union City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Union City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Union City zip codes.
Union City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Union City, NJ?
Union City, NJ has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 9% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 408 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 54 chance for property crime. Union City has lower crime than 39% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Union City, NJ safe to live in?
Union City 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 Union City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Union City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Union City is 245.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 36% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 408 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.8 per 100K (4% below average); aggravated assault at 174.8 per 100K (35% below average); robbery at 46.9 per 100K (36% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Union City?
The estimated property crime rate in Union City is 1,858.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 54 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 198.1 per 100K (27% below average); larceny/theft at 1,318.6 per 100K (6% below average); vehicle theft at 341.9 per 100K (7% above average).
How does Union City crime compare to the national average?
Union City's overall crime rate is 9% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (7% above average), while rape is 45% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Union City has lower crime than 39% of them.
Is Union City safe to visit?
Visitors to Union City should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 1% 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 Union City crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Union City's crime rate is 9% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Union City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Union City, with an estimated rate of 1,318.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 6% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,859 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (245 per 100K) in Union City, which is consistent with national trends.