Understanding the safety of a state is crucial, whether you are planning to move, live temporarily or permanently, work, or simply visit. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the crime data of Massachusetts, shedding light on the state’s overall crime rate and offering valuable insights to aid you in making well-informed decisions.
Within the diverse landscape of Massachusetts, various types of criminal activities occur. To offer you a clear picture, we will categorize these offenses into three primary groups: Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, and Other Crimes.
Total number of crimes in Massachusetts. The information may differ from what we’ll discuss below¹.
Is Massachusetts Safe? Crimes Breakdown
| Violent | Property | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 21,865 | 105,288 | 14,436 |
| Rate per 1000 | 3.15 | 15.18 | 2.08 |
Based on NIBRS data², there are approximately 19 different types of crimes recorded in Massachusetts. These crimes vary in severity, with some considered less serious, such as simple assaults, forgery, and ATM fraud, while others are treated with utmost seriousness, including murder and rape. In our analysis, we have focused on the most significant crimes, particularly those that have a direct impact on people’s safety and lives.
Massachusetts’s Violent Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents)
Massachusetts has a lower violent crime rate compared to the national average. In Massachusetts, the rate of violent crimes is 3.15 incidents per 1000 residents, and the national average is 4 incidents per 1000 residents.
Comparison of Violent Crime Rates: Massachusetts vs. National Average
Examining the violent crime rate in Massachusetts compared to the national average enables us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the percentage variance for each specific crime. By conducting this analysis, we can effectively gauge the relative levels of safety and security in Massachusetts in relation to the broader national landscape.
Massachusetts’s Violent Crimes Statistics
| Murder | Rape | Assault | Robbery | Kidnapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 133 | 2,035 | 16,487 | 2,618 | 582 |
| Rate per 1000 | 0.02 | 0.29 | 2.38 | 0.38 | 0.08 |
| Population | 6,937,375 | ||||
United States Violent Crimes Statistics
| Murder | Rape | Assault | Robbery | Kidnapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 23,195 | 145,750 | 939,092 | 207,616 | 36,890 |
| Rate per 1000 | 0.07 | 0.44 | 2.83 | 0.63 | 0.11 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | ||||
Insights into Violent Crimes in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts’s murder crime rate is 0.02, which is significantly lower than the national average of 0.07 by 71%.
- On the other hand, The state’s rape crime rate is 0.29, which is lower than the national average of 0.44 by 34%.
- The assault crime rate of the state stands at 2.38, which is lower than the national average of 2.83 by 16%.
- Robbery is not a concern in Massachusetts, with a crime rate of 0.38, which is lower than the national average of 0.63 by 40%.
- The state’s kidnapping crime rate is 0.08, which is lower than the national average of 0.11 by 27%.
Massachusetts’s Property Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents)
Massachusetts has a lower property crime rate compared to the national average. In Massachusetts, the rate of property crimes is 15.18 incidents per 1000 residents, and the national average for property crimes is 20 incidents per 1000 residents.
Comparison of Property Crime Rates: Massachusetts vs. National Average
Similar to our examination of violent crime rates, analyzing the property crime rates in Massachusetts compared to the national average provides us with valuable insights into the percentage variances for each specific property-related offense.
Massachusetts’s Property Crime Rate Statistics
| Burglary | Arson | Vandalism | Blackmail | Theft | Vehicle Theft | Identity Theft | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 9,582 | 311 | 29,644 | 608 | 55,528 | 6,819 | 2,796 |
| Rate per 1000 | 1.38 | 0.04 | 4.27 | 0.09 | 8 | 0.98 | 0.4 |
| Population | 6,937,375 | ||||||
United States Property Crimes Statistics
| Burglary | Arson | Vandalism | Blackmail | Theft | Vehicle Theft | Identity Theft | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 898,487 | 27,917 | 1,307,229 | 12,270 | 4,630,773 | 888,618 | 187,853 |
| Rate per 1000 | 2.72 | 0.08 | 3.94 | 0.04 | 13.95 | 2.68 | 0.87 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | ||||||
Insights into Property Crimes in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts experiences a burglary crime rate of 1.38, which is lower than the national average of 2.72 by 49%.
- The arson crime rate is 0.04, which is lower than the national average of 0.08 by 50%.
- Vandalism is a concern in Massachusetts, with a crime rate of 4.27, which is higher than the national average of 3.94 by 8%.
- The blackmail crime rate is 0.09, which is significantly higher than the national average of 0.04 by 125%.
- Theft is not an area of focus, with a crime rate of 8 in Massachusetts, which is lower than the national average of 13.95 by 43%.
- On the other hand, motor vehicle theft in the state has a rate of 0.98, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2.68 by 63%.
- Massachusetts faces a lower rate of identity theft, with a crime rate of 0.4, which is 54% lower than the national average of 0.87.
Massachusetts’s Other Crimes Statistics
| Drugs Offenses | Weapon Law Violations | Prostitution | Animal Cruelty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 10,120 | 3,910 | 200 | 206 |
| Rate per 1000 | 1.46 | 0.56 | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Population | 6,937,375 | |||
United States Other Crimes Statistics
| Drugs Offenses | Weapon Law Violations | Prostitution | Animal Cruelty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number | 1,290,858 | 267,955 | 11,565 | 16,497 |
| Rate per 1000 | 3.89 | 0.81 | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| Population | 331,889,360 | |||
Massachusetts’s Other Crimes Data Insights
- Drug offenses are not a significant concern in Massachusetts, with a rate of 1.46, which is significantly lower than the national average of 3.89 by 62%.
- Weapon law violations are not an area of concern in the state. The state’s weapon law violations rate is 0.56, which is lower than the national average of 0.81 by 31%.
Conclusion
Massachusetts has lower crime rates compared to the national averages in several categories. The state has significantly lower rates of murder, rape, assault, robbery, kidnapping, burglary, arson, vandalism, and motor vehicle theft. Massachusetts also faces a lower rate of identity theft. Theft, drug offenses, and weapon law violations are not significant concerns in the state.
Overall, Massachusetts appears to be relatively safer compared to the national average in terms of various crimes. However, it’s essential to continue monitoring and addressing any potential areas of concern to maintain public safety and security.