Worcester, MA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 212,425
Violent
Property
Total
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Worcester, Massachusetts Safe?
Worcester has a safety score of 99/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Worcester ranks #1 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #4 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 100th percentile for safety — safer than 100% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Worcester is murder, at 7.5 per 100K — 1.2x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Worcester's total crime rate decreased by 99.3%, with violent crime declining 97.3%.
Worcester Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 35 | 16.5 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 16 | 7.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 0 | 0.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 17 | 8.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 0 | 0.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 0 | 0.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 0 | 0.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 | 0.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Worcester vs Massachusetts Average
How does Worcester's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | Worcester | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 16.5 | 312.0 | -94.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 0.0 | 1,086.7 | -100.0% |
| Murder Rate | 7.5 | 2.0 | +280.3% |
| Total Crime Rate | 16.5 | 1,398.7 | -98.8% |
Worcester Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Worcester, Massachusetts.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 212,425 | 16.5 | 16.5 | 0.0 |
| 2022 | 206,575 | 2,270.9 | 603.2 | 1,667.7 |
| 2021 | 186,365 | 2,547.7 | 647.7 | 1,900.0 |
| 2020 | 184,850 | 2,636.2 | 633.5 | 2,002.7 |
| 2019 | 184,945 | 2,680.3 | 629.9 | 2,050.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Worcester, Massachusetts safe?
Worcester has a safety score of 99/100. With a total crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Worcester is relatively safe compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Worcester, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, Worcester has a violent crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Worcester compare to the national average?
Worcester's total crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 212,425.
What types of crime are most common in Worcester?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Worcester include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Worcester safe to visit?
Like any city, Worcester has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 99/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.