Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, North Reading, MA has a Safety Score of 93/100 — safer than 93% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 471.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #213 of 2,971 US cities and #42 of 186 in Massachusetts.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is North Reading, Massachusetts Safe?
North Reading, a Middlesex County town, is largely residential, with its center near the Ipswich River. Incorporated in 1853, it retains a semi-rural character, despite its proximity to Boston.
North Reading has a safety score of 93/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 471.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
North Reading ranks #42 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #213 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 93rd percentile for safety — safer than 93% of US cities.
All major crime categories in North Reading are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, North Reading's total crime rate increased by 5.2%, with violent crime declining 42.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
North Reading Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 11 | 66.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 1 | 6.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 6.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 9 | 54.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 67 | 405.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 8 | 48.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 56 | 338.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 18.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
North Reading vs Massachusetts Average
How does North Reading's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | North Reading | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 66.5 | 312.0 | -78.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 405.3 | 1,086.7 | -62.7% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 471.8 | 1,398.7 | -66.3% |
North Reading Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for North Reading, Massachusetts.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16,531 | 471.8 | 66.5 | 405.3 |
| 2023 | 15,607 | 448.5 | 115.3 | 333.2 |
| 2022 | 15,197 | 454.0 | 92.1 | 361.9 |
| 2021 | 16,134 | 440.1 | 93.0 | 347.1 |
| 2020 | 15,886 | 346.2 | 69.2 | 277.0 |
| 2019 | 15,687 | 484.5 | 102.0 | 382.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Reading, Massachusetts safe?
North Reading has a safety score of 93/100, meaning it has less crime than about 93% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 471.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, North Reading is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in North Reading, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, North Reading has a violent crime rate of 66.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 405.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does North Reading compare to the national average?
North Reading's total crime rate of 471.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 16,531 residents.
What types of crime are most common in North Reading?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in North Reading include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is North Reading safe to visit?
Like any city, North Reading has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 93/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.