Crime in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Property crime

The vast majority of crimes in America are property crimes, accounting for 85% of total crimes in 2019. In Elizabeth, however, property crimes account for only about 81% of all offenses.

Despite accounting for a smaller than average share of total offenses, property crime is more prevalent in Elizabeth than it is nationwide. There were 3,898 property crimes in Elizabeth in 2019, or 3,028 for every 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, the national property crime rate is 2,110 incidents per 100,000 people.

Larceny

Larceny is by far the most common type of property crime in the U.S. It is also the most commonly committed type of property crime in Elizabeth. There were 2,776 larcenies reported in Elizabeth in 2019, or 2,156 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the larceny rate is 1,550 per 100,000.

Burglary

There were 365 break-ins reported in Elizabeth in 2019, or 284 for every 100,000 residents. For reference, there were 341 reported burglaries for every 100,000 people nationwide in 2019.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Across the United States, the annual motor vehicle theft rate is 220 for every 100,000 people. In Elizabeth, meanwhile, there were 757 motor vehicle thefts in 2019, or 588 for every 100,000 people.

Violent crime

Violent crime accounts for a relatively small share of crimes nationwide. These offenses, which are generally more egregious than property crimes, account for about 15% of the nearly 8.2 million offenses reported across the U.S. in 2019. In Elizabeth, however, violent offenses account for a larger 19% share of all reported crime.

At 719 incidents for every 100,000 people, the violent crime rate in Elizabeth is well above the national violent crime rate of 379 offenses per 100,000 people. Law enforcement in Elizabeth reported a total of 926 violent crimes in 2019.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is by far the most common type of violent crime reported in the U.S. It is also the most commonly reported violent offense in Elizabeth. There were 485 aggravated assaults reported in Elizabeth in 2019, or 377 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, the rate is lower, standing at 250 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people.

Robbery

Robbery is the second most common type of violent crime in America. There were 384 robberies reported in Elizabeth in 2019, a rate of 298 robberies for every 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national robbery rate was 82 per 100,000 in 2019.

Rape

There were 50 rapes reported in Elizabeth in 2019, or 39 for every 100,000 people. Nationwide, there were 139,815 rapes in 2019, a rate of 43 per 100,000 people.

Murder

There were 7 homicides committed in the city in 2019. Adjusted for population, the murder rate in Elizabeth is 5.4 murders for every 100,000 people, higher than the national murder rate of 5 per 100,000 people.