Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Plainfield, NJ has a Safety Score of 40/100 — higher crime than 60% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,020.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,776 of 2,957 US cities and #7 of 7 in New Jersey.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Plainfield, NJ?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Plainfield, New Jersey Safe?
Plainfield, "The Queen City," boasts a rich Victorian architectural heritage and a diverse population. Situated in Union County, it was once a popular resort town for wealthy New Yorkers.
Plainfield has a safety score of 40/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,020.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Plainfield ranks #7 out of 7 cities in New Jersey and #1776 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 40th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 60% of US cities.
Year over year, Plainfield's total crime rate decreased by 8%, with violent crime declining 21.8%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Plainfield Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 230 | 410.9 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 8 | 14.3 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 58 | 103.6 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 164 | 293.0 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 901 | 1,609.7 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 76 | 135.8 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 753 | 1,345.2 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 72 | 128.6 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Plainfield vs New Jersey Average
How does Plainfield's crime rate compare to the New Jersey state average?
| Metric | Plainfield | New Jersey Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.9 | 248.0 | +65.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,609.7 | 1,209.5 | +33.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.5 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,020.5 | 1,457.5 | +38.6% |
Plainfield Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Plainfield, New Jersey.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 55,975 | 2,020.5 | 410.9 | 1,609.7 |
| 2023 | 54,791 | 2,195.6 | 525.6 | 1,670.0 |
| 2022 | 55,494 | 1,769.6 | 452.3 | 1,317.3 |
| 2021 | 52,163 | 2,081.9 | 688.2 | 1,393.7 |
| 2020 | 50,333 | 1,909.3 | 453.0 | 1,456.3 |
| 2019 | 50,576 | 1,971.3 | 379.6 | 1,591.7 |
Plainfield Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Plainfield and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: New Jersey crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plainfield, New Jersey safe?
Plainfield has a safety score of 40/100, meaning it has less crime than about 40% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,020.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Plainfield is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Plainfield, New Jersey?
According to FBI data for 2024, Plainfield has a violent crime rate of 410.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,609.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Plainfield compare to the national average?
Plainfield's total crime rate of 2,020.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 55,975 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Plainfield?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Plainfield are larceny-theft (753 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (164 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 3.9x in the city.
Is Plainfield safe to visit?
Like any city, Plainfield has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 40/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.