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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, New Bedford, MA has a Safety Score of 49/100 — higher crime than 51% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,712.4 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,516 of 2,971 US cities and #162 of 186 in Massachusetts.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is New Bedford, Massachusetts Safe?
New Bedford, once the whaling capital of the world, is a coastal city in southeastern Massachusetts. Its diverse population includes a significant Portuguese American community, contributing to its vibrant cultural fabric and local economy.
New Bedford has a safety score of 49/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,712.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
New Bedford ranks #162 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #1516 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 49th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 51% of US cities.
Year over year, New Bedford's total crime rate decreased by 16.7%, with violent crime declining 29.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
New Bedford Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 362 | 353.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 6.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 45 | 43.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 80 | 78.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 230 | 224.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,393 | 1,359.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 189 | 184.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 954 | 930.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 250 | 243.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
New Bedford vs Massachusetts Average
How does New Bedford's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | New Bedford | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 353.2 | 312.0 | +13.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,359.1 | 1,086.7 | +25.1% |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 2.0 | +244.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,712.4 | 1,398.7 | +22.4% |
New Bedford Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for New Bedford, Massachusetts.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 102,491 | 1,712.4 | 353.2 | 1,359.1 |
| 2023 | 100,876 | 2,056.0 | 503.6 | 1,552.4 |
| 2022 | 101,402 | 2,186.4 | 626.2 | 1,560.1 |
| 2021 | 96,346 | 2,353.0 | 640.4 | 1,712.6 |
| 2020 | 94,886 | 2,398.7 | 627.1 | 1,771.6 |
| 2019 | 94,613 | 2,911.9 | 663.8 | 2,248.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Bedford, Massachusetts safe?
New Bedford has a safety score of 49/100, meaning it has less crime than about 49% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,712.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, New Bedford is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in New Bedford, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, New Bedford has a violent crime rate of 353.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,359.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does New Bedford compare to the national average?
New Bedford's total crime rate of 1,712.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 102,491 residents.
What types of crime are most common in New Bedford?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in New Bedford include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is New Bedford safe to visit?
Like any city, New Bedford has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 49/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.