According to Propertyclub, Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top five safest states in the nation. Although crime may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about this state, there are certain cities that have areas best avoided due to their higher crime rates and lower quality of life. Here are the ten most dangerous cities in Massachusetts, ranked based on their crime rates and overall livability.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in Massachusetts
This Article Includes
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- Holyoke
- Springfield
- North Adams
- New Bedford
- Chicopee
- Bostonย
- Chelsea
- Fall River
- Webster
- Haverhill
1. Holyoke
Holyoke, located near East Mountain, is considered the most dangerous city in Massachusetts. With a population of 38,238, the city has a crime rate that is 195% higher than the national average. Residents of Holyoke face a 1 in 25 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime, making it a concerning statistic. In 2021 alone, the city witnessed a total of 367 incidents of violent crime, including two murders, 63 robberies, and 285 assaults. Property crime was even more prevalent, with 1,301 incidents reported during the same year.
2. Springfield
Springfield, located in Hampden County, is notorious for being one of the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts. With a population of 155,929, its crime rate surpasses the national average by a staggering 150%. In fact, Springfield holds the title for the most dangerous city in the state. The total crime rate stands at 3,403 per 100,000 residents, giving individuals a 1 in 30 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. Notably, robbery, assault, and burglaries rank among the most prevalent crimes in Springfield.
3. North Adams
North Adams, situated in Berkshire County, is known as one of the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts. With a population of 12,961, the city has a high crime rate of 3,114 per 100,000 residents. Shockingly, individuals in North Adams face a 1 in 33 chance of falling victim to a crime. The year 2021 alone witnessed 138 violent crimes and 309 property crimes, with prevalent offenses being assault, burglary, and theft.
4. New Bedford
New Bedford, situated along Massachusetts’ South Coast, is recognized as one of the most perilous cities in the state. With a population of 102,882, the city has a total crime rate of 3,089 per 100,000 residents, which is 129% higher than the Massachusetts average. The likelihood of individuals falling victim to any form of crime in New Bedford stands at 1 in 33. In 2021 alone, the city witnessed four murders, 84 robberies, and 476 assaults. Additionally, New Bedford experiences a high rate of property crimes, with over 1,200 incidents of theft reported during the same year.
5. Chicopee
Chicopee stands out as one of the most crime-ridden cities in Massachusetts. Situated in Hampden County along the Connecticut River, it is home to a population of 55,560. The crime rate in Chicopee is alarmingly high, with a total of 2,626 incidents per 100,000 people. This figure is 93% higher than the state average and 12% higher than the national average. Shockingly, residents of Chicopee face a 1 in 39 chance of falling victim to any form of criminal activity. Among the prevalent crimes in this city are robbery, assault, and vehicle theft.
6. Boston
Boston is one of the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts, but it’s also known as the state’s cultural and economic capital. There are 675,647 people living in Boston. Compared to other big towns, Boston is pretty safe, and crime depends mostly on where you live. The crime rate in Boston is 2,366 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 74% higher than the state average. There is a 1 in 43 chance that a Boston person will become a victim. In Boston in 2021, there were over 12,000 property crimes and almost 4,000 serious crimes. When the number of people living in the city is taken into account, Boston is not very dangerous.
7. Chelsea
Chelsea, a city located in Suffolk County and adjacent to Boston, has gained a notorious reputation as one of the most crime-ridden cities in Massachusetts. With a population of 40,787, Chelsea experiences a high total crime rate of 2,048 incidents per 100,000 people, surpassing the state average by 50%. This means that residents face a 1 in 49 chance of falling victim to various crimes. As of 2021, the prevalent criminal activities in Chelsea include robbery, assault, burglary, and theft.
8. Fall River
Fall River is another of Massachusetts’ worst cities, with a high percentage of violent crime. It is also the ninth-largest city in Massachusetts, with a population of 94,000. Fall River’s total crime rate is 1,989 per 100,000, 46% higher than the state average. Residents have a one-in-51 risk of becoming victims of any form of crime. In 2021, there were 853 violent crimes, with robbery and assault being the most prevalent.
9. Webster
Webster is in Worcester County and has 17,776 people living there. It is 1 in 57 likely that someone in Webster will be a victim of a crime. The total crime rate is 1,766 crimes per 100,000 people. 123% of all crimes in 2021 were violent. There were 108 assaults and six thefts. Fourty homes were broken into, and fourteen cars were stolen in the same year. Webster is not as risky as some other cities in the country, but it does have a higher crime rate than the rest of Massachusetts.
10. Haverhill
Haverhill, a city in Massachusetts situated in Essex County near the New Hampshire border, is known for its high crime rates. With a population of 67,787, the city has a total crime rate of 1,472 per 100,000 people, which is 8% higher than the state average. This means that residents of Haverhill have a 1 in 68 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. In 2021 alone, there were 377 incidents of violent crimes and 545 cases of property crimes reported. The most common types of crimes in the city include robberies, assaults, burglaries, and thefts.
