Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Needham, MA has a Safety Score of 85/100 — safer than 85% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 698.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #440 of 2,971 US cities and #68 of 186 in Massachusetts.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Needham, Massachusetts Safe?
Needham, a suburban town in Norfolk County, is home to the first-ever American-made baseball. Located just west of Boston, it boasts a highly educated population and a charming town center.
Needham has a safety score of 85/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 698.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Needham ranks #68 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #440 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 85th percentile for safety — safer than 85% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Needham are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Needham's total crime rate decreased by 14.2%, with violent crime declining 33%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Needham Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 17 | 51.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 4 | 12.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 13 | 39.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 212 | 646.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 24 | 73.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 176 | 536.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 12 | 36.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Needham vs Massachusetts Average
How does Needham's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | Needham | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 51.9 | 312.0 | -83.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 646.8 | 1,086.7 | -40.5% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 698.6 | 1,398.7 | -50.1% |
Needham Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Needham, Massachusetts.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32,779 | 698.6 | 51.9 | 646.8 |
| 2023 | 32,309 | 814.0 | 77.4 | 736.6 |
| 2022 | 32,228 | 602.0 | 80.7 | 521.3 |
| 2021 | 32,159 | 426.0 | 43.5 | 382.5 |
| 2020 | 31,586 | 446.4 | 76.0 | 370.4 |
| 2019 | 31,275 | 463.6 | 32.0 | 431.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Needham, Massachusetts safe?
Needham has a safety score of 85/100, meaning it has less crime than about 85% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 698.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Needham is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Needham, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, Needham has a violent crime rate of 51.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 646.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Needham compare to the national average?
Needham's total crime rate of 698.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 32,779 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Needham?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Needham include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Needham safe to visit?
Like any city, Needham has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 85/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.