Is Athol or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Athol (Safety Score 100/100 vs 67/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,184 for Athol — 99% lower. Athol has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Worcester is 17.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Athol — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Athol, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Athol | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,183.7 | 16.5 | +1,167.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 452.1 | 16.5 | +435.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 57.5 | 0.0 | +57.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 394.6 | 8.0 | +386.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 731.6 | 0.0 | +731.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 106.9 | 0.0 | +106.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 616.5 | 0.0 | +616.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.2 | 0.0 | +8.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athol or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,184 for Athol — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Athol has a violent crime rate of 452.1 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Athol, MA
Athol, "Tool Town," is a small manufacturing community in north-central Massachusetts, bisected by the Millers River. Its population of around 9,000 has seen a slight decline in recent decades. The town once boasted a thriving shoe industry. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 12,165, Athol has a total crime rate of 1,183.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Worcester, MA
Worcester, a city of hills in Central Massachusetts, boasts a rich industrial past, home to the first American-made Valentine's Day cards. It's the second-most populous city in New England outside of Boston. With a safety score of 100/100 and a population coverage of 212,425, Worcester has a total crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 residents.