When you’re choosing where to raise a family, safety is at the top of the list. The team at SafeWise dug into the latest FBI crime data, community demographics, and findings from their State of Safety study to rank the safest cities in every state for 2025. The list highlights towns with the lowest overall crime rates based on their detailed methodology.
In New Jersey, 128 cities made the cut—but two towns stood out. Vernon Twp. was named the safest in NJ and Bernards Twp. was named the second safest, both for the second consecutive year.
Bernards Twp. and Denville reported zero violent crimes during the length of the study. Vernon Twp., Sparta, Jefferson Twp., Madison, Denville and Harrison reported zero murders, rapes and robberies. Sparta and West Milford reported zero motor vehicle thefts. Violent crime rates decreased in Sparta, Hopatcong, Mount Olive and Harrison.
The 20 Safest Cities in New Jersey for 2025, according to Safewise:
- Vernon Twp.
- Bernards Twp.
- Sparta Twp.
- Jefferson Twp.
- Hopatcong
- Denville
- Mount Olive Township
- West Milford
- New Milford
- Madison
- Jackson Twp.
- Dumont
- Harrison
- Barnegat Twp.
- Montville
- Manchester
- Florham Park
- South River
- Ridgewood
- Hillsborough
In addition, the annual State of Safety Survey reports that 47 percent of New Jerseyans feel safe here, which is an increase from last year (46 percent) and just below the national average (48 percent).
According to the analysis, 21 percent of New Jersey residents said their property was damaged in the 8 months before the survey. Those experiencing package theft during the same timeframe increased from 31 to 44 percent, which is the fourth highest rate in the U.S.
New Jersey has the lowest use of firearms in the country, but residents of NJ are actually more likely to experience gun violence than the average American. New Jerseyans also report the third-highest level of concern about gun violence nationwide, according to the study.
New Jerseyans are also concerned about natural disasters, with half the population of the state worried about hurricanes, 36 percent thinking about earthquakes, and 52 percent anxious about flooding.
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