Tiny Matawan Crowned New Jersey’s Safest Community

In stark contrast to New Jersey’s high-crime urban centers, a small Monmouth County borough with fewer than 9,000 residents has emerged as the state’s safest community. Matawan, located about 40 miles south of New York City, recorded just 10 crimes per 100,000 people in the latest comprehensive crime analysis, establishing it as New Jersey’s most secure municipality.

This remarkable safety record places Matawan 90% below the state’s average crime rate and represents a statistical anomaly even in a state that ranks among the nation’s safest. According to data compiled by AreaVibes, a resident’s chance of becoming a crime victim in Matawan is approximately 1 in 9,629—odds that most communities across America can only dream of achieving.

Top Five Safest Communities

Following Matawan in the safety rankings is Union Beach, a small coastal community of 5,362 residents that reported just 105 crimes per 100,000 people. The borough recorded zero homicides, rapes, or robberies, with its minimal crime consisting primarily of property offenses like burglary and theft.

Hopatcong, a lakeside community in Sussex County with 14,228 residents, secured the third position with 178 crimes per 100,000 people—85% below New Jersey’s average. The municipality’s commitment to community policing and engagement has been cited as a significant factor in maintaining its low crime environment.

Rounding out the top five are Bergen County’s Emerson (221 crimes per 100,000) and Passaic County’s Wanaque (228 crimes per 100,000). Both communities have implemented comprehensive safety strategies that focus on preventative measures and community involvement rather than reactive policing alone.

Different Rankings, Similar Results

A separate analysis by SafeWise, which uses a different methodology based on FBI crime statistics, produced somewhat different rankings but reinforced the overall pattern of exceptionally safe communities throughout the Garden State. Their report named Vernon Township, Bernards Township, Jefferson Township, and New Milford as the state’s four safest municipalities.

“What’s remarkable is how these communities maintain such low crime rates despite their proximity to high-crime urban areas,” noted criminal justice analyst Dr. James Winfield. “It demonstrates that effective community governance and proactive policing strategies can create safe environments even within a densely populated state.”

Common Characteristics

The safest communities in New Jersey share several common characteristics, according to public safety experts. These include well-funded police departments with strong community connections, active neighborhood watch programs, and high levels of resident engagement in local governance.

“There’s no single approach that guarantees safety,” explained former New Jersey State Police Captain Elena Rodriguez. “These communities have developed comprehensive strategies that combine traditional law enforcement with community involvement, youth programming, and mental health resources.”

Economic factors also play a role, as many of the safest communities enjoy relatively low unemployment rates and higher median incomes compared to state averages. However, experts emphasize that economic advantage alone doesn’t ensure safety without proper community investment and engagement.

Statewide Safety Improvement

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the new rankings is the overall improvement in safety across New Jersey. According to SafeWise’s analysis, statewide violent crime has decreased by 59% year-over-year, placing New Jersey as the fourth-lowest state for violent crime in the nation.

The Garden State’s violent crime rate of 2.8 incidents per 1,000 people remains well below the national average of 4.0, while its property crime rate of 15.7 incidents per 1,000 people ranks as the tenth-lowest nationwide.

Not all news is positive, however, as resident concerns about gun violence have increased from 47% to 52% year-over-year, corresponding with a rise in mass shooting incidents from nine in 2022 to twelve in 2023.

Lessons for Higher-Crime Areas

Public safety experts suggest that higher-crime communities in New Jersey might benefit from studying the successful strategies employed by these exceptionally safe municipalities. While acknowledging the different challenges faced by urban areas, they point to transferable approaches like community engagement programs and targeted youth services.

“The striking difference between New Jersey’s safest and most dangerous communities offers both a challenge and an opportunity,” said urban policy specialist Maria Hernandez. “These safe communities demonstrate what’s possible with the right combination of resources, leadership, and community involvement.”

Residents of the safest communities cite peace of mind as a major quality-of-life factor. “You don’t realize how much mental energy is consumed by safety concerns until you live somewhere where you simply don’t have to worry about crime,” said Hopatcong resident Thomas Jensen. “It fundamentally changes how you experience your community.”