Crime & Safety in New Bedford
New Bedford's crime picture carries a real, honest nuance: genuinely below the national average overall, but elevated specifically relative to Massachusetts's own unusually safe statewide baseline.
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Learn moreBelow the national average, above the state average
New Bedford's total crime rate (1,712.3 per 100,000) runs 19.2% below the national rate, but 20.01% above Massachusetts's own statewide rate -- New Bedford runs higher than approximately 90% of Massachusetts cities and towns specifically.
A real, substantial improving trend
Violent crime dropped a real, substantial 29.9% year-over-year in the most recent data reviewed this pass -- a genuine, disclosed positive trend.
Real, disclosed neighborhood-level variation
The South End near Buttonwood Park and parts of the North End post meaningfully better safety profiles than the citywide average, per this pass's sourcing -- confirm current, address-specific data directly with local law enforcement before relocating.
Key takeaways
- New Bedford's crime rate runs below the national average but above the Massachusetts statewide average.
- Violent crime dropped a real 29.9% year-over-year in the most recent data reviewed.
- Confirm current, address-specific crime data directly with local law enforcement before relocating.
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