Violent
Property
Total
Chelmsford, MA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 36,795
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Chelmsford, Massachusetts Safe?
Chelmsford has a safety score of 77/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,250.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Chelmsford ranks #132 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #1050 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 65th percentile for safety — safer than 65% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Chelmsford are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Chelmsford's total crime rate increased by 15.1%, with violent crime rising 6.8%.
Chelmsford Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 45 | 122.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 6 | 16.3 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 2.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 38 | 103.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 415 | 1,127.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 43 | 116.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 359 | 975.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 13 | 35.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Chelmsford vs Massachusetts Average
How does Chelmsford's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | Chelmsford | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 122.3 | 312.0 | -60.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,127.9 | 1,086.7 | +3.8% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,250.2 | 1,398.7 | -10.6% |
Chelmsford Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 36,795 | 1,250.2 | 122.3 | 1,127.9 |
| 2023 | 35,807 | 1,086.4 | 114.5 | 971.9 |
| 2022 | 35,630 | 842.0 | 112.3 | 729.7 |
| 2021 | 35,985 | 761.4 | 100.0 | 661.4 |
| 2020 | 35,369 | 947.2 | 93.3 | 853.9 |
| 2019 | 35,218 | 1,223.8 | 96.5 | 1,127.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chelmsford, Massachusetts safe?
Chelmsford has a safety score of 77/100. With a total crime rate of 1,250.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Chelmsford is relatively safe compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Chelmsford, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, Chelmsford has a violent crime rate of 122.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,127.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Chelmsford compare to the national average?
Chelmsford's total crime rate of 1,250.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 36,795.
What types of crime are most common in Chelmsford?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Chelmsford include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Chelmsford safe to visit?
Like any city, Chelmsford has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 77/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.