Watchung, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 69% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Watchung Safe?
Yes — Watchung has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Watchung has a crime rate that is 35% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 267.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 267
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
2% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 112
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
51% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Watchung 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
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
104 | +4% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
84 | -16% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Watchung Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Watchung Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Watchung zip codes.
Watchung Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Watchung, NJ?
Watchung, NJ has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 35% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 267 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 112 chance for property crime. Watchung has lower crime than 69% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Watchung, NJ safe to live in?
Watchung is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Watchung is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Watchung?
The estimated violent crime rate in Watchung is 374.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 2% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 267 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.8 per 100K (63% below average); aggravated assault at 278.7 per 100K (4% above average); robbery at 62.0 per 100K (16% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Watchung?
The estimated property crime rate in Watchung is 889.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 51% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 112 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 89.7 per 100K (67% below average); larceny/theft at 664.2 per 100K (53% below average); vehicle theft at 135.2 per 100K (58% below average).
How does Watchung crime compare to the national average?
Watchung's overall crime rate is 35% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (4% above average), while burglary is 67% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Watchung has lower crime than 69% of them.
Is Watchung safe to visit?
Watchung is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 51% 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 Watchung crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Watchung's crime rate is 35% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Watchung?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Watchung, with an estimated rate of 664.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 53% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (889 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (374 per 100K) in Watchung, which is consistent with national trends.