Hillsborough Township has once again earned recognition for public safety, ranking as the 20th safest city in New Jersey, according to the 2025 Safest Cities report by SafeWise. The ranking is based on the latest FBI crime statistics, population data, and local safety initiatives.
Specifically, Hillsborough reported a violent crime rate of 0.6 and a property crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents. The township, with a population of 43,522, saw a slight increase from its 2024 statistics when it ranked 5th safest. Last year, Hillsborough had a violent crime rate of 0.2 and a property crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents.
Despite the rise in numbers, Hillsborough remains one of the safest municipalities in the state. Mayor John Ciccarelli credited the Police Department and the community for maintaining a safe environment. Police Chief Mike McMahon emphasized that the ranking reflects the dedication of local officers and the cooperation of residents.
In Somerset County, Hillsborough was the second-highest ranked town after Bernards Township, which held the number two spot statewide. Vernon Township in Sussex County was named the safest city in New Jersey for the second year in a row.
To understand how Hillsborough compares, it helps to look at the full top 20 list. Vernon Township, Bernards Township, Sparta Township, Jefferson Township, Hopatcong, Denville Township, Mount Olive Township, West Milford Township, New Milford, and Madison made up the top 10. Hillsborough completed the list at number 20, after towns such as Jackson Township, Dumont, Harrison Township, Barnegat Township, Montville Township, Manchester Township, Florham Park, South River, and Ridgewood.
SafeWise analyzed 128 New Jersey cities for its 2025 report. Cities like Bernards Township and Denville Township reported zero violent crimes, while Vernon Township, Sparta Township, Jefferson Township, Madison, Denville Township, and Harrison Township reported no murders, rapes, or robberies. In addition, Sparta Township and West Milford Township reported zero motor vehicle thefts.
Across New Jersey, safety remains a growing concern. SafeWise’s State of Safety survey found that only 47% of New Jersey residents said they feel safe, compared to the national average of 48%. This marked a small improvement from 46% the year before but still reflects overall unease.
Violent crime rates statewide remain lower than the national average. New Jersey’s violent crime rate is 2.8 incidents per 1,000 people, while the national rate is 4.0. Even with lower rates, concern about violent crime increased sharply. Fifteen percent of New Jersey residents reported experiencing a violent crime in the eight months before the survey, up from 9% the year prior. Daily worry about violent crime rose from 48% to 64%.
Property crime also drew attention. Twenty-one percent of New Jerseyans reported experiencing a property crime, up from 19%. Concern about property crime jumped from 46% to 64%. The national experience rate for property crime is higher at 27%.
Package theft became a particular issue. Forty-four percent of residents reported package theft incidents, up from 31%, placing New Jersey among the top states for this type of crime. Concern about package theft also rose from 53% to 59%.
Residents responded by increasing home security. Forty-five percent reported using security cameras, 43% have security systems, and 25% use guard dogs. In terms of personal protection, pepper spray, pocket knives, stun guns, and self-defense keychains are preferred, rather than firearms. Only 2% of New Jersey residents reported using a firearm for personal protection, much lower than the national rate of 15%.
Gun violence continues to cause significant concern. Sixty-nine percent of residents said they worry about gun violence daily, a rise from 52% the previous year. New Jersey ranks third in the country for concern about gun violence, behind only Maryland and Texas. Although mass shootings dropped from 12 incidents in 2023 to 3 in 2024, the fear remains strong.
Natural disasters also remain a major worry. Fifty-two percent of New Jersey residents reported concern about hurricanes, double the national average. Similarly, 52% expressed fear of flooding, one of the highest rates in the country. Earthquake concern stands at 36%, compared to the national average of 18%. Despite these worries, only 6% of residents reported evacuating due to a natural disaster in the past year.
Returning to the rankings, the numbers show that Vernon Township had a violent crime rate of 0.1 and a property crime rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residents, with a population of 22,743. Bernards Township, with 28,151 residents, had zero violent crime and a property crime rate of 2.3. Sparta Township, with 20,321 people, reported a violent crime rate of 0.1 and property crime at 3.1. Jefferson Township, Hopatcong, and Denville Township also posted very low crime rates.
Comparatively, Hillsborough’s numbers show a modest increase but remain well within the range of top-performing towns. With continued community involvement, police dedication, and proactive safety programs, Hillsborough is likely to remain one of New Jersey’s safest towns for years to come.
As 2025 progresses, Hillsborough can be proud of its record while continuing to address challenges, knowing that safety requires constant attention and teamwork.
