Two new jersey towns ranked among safest cities in america in 2026 report

Two Bergen County communities have landed on a national list highlighting the lowest crime rates in the country, according to newly released data.

Bergen County, NJ – Emerson and Allendale have been named among the 10 safest cities in the United States for 2026, according to a new SafeWise report analyzing FBI crime data. The rankings place both New Jersey towns alongside communities in New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts with some of the lowest reported crime rates nationwide.

Key Points

Emerson and Allendale ranked in top 10 safest U.S. cities for 2026
Rankings based on FBI crime data from calendar year 2024
Report cites significantly lower crime rates than national averages

The annual report, now in its 12th year, compares cities using per capita violent and property crime rates. SafeWise said the communities on this year’s list reported an average of 0.2 violent crimes per 1,000 people and 2.2 property crimes per 1,000—well below national averages of 4.43 and 22.89, respectively.

Low crime rates drive national recognition

Emerson and Allendale were the only New Jersey municipalities to make the top 10 list, which was led by Shawangunk, New York. The report emphasizes that qualifying cities must meet specific population thresholds, which can affect whether a town appears on state versus national rankings.

Despite broader national data showing a decline in crime, public perception remains mixed. According to SafeWise, “only 16% of our State of Survey respondents agree that crime is decreasing—and only about half (52%) said they felt safe in their home state in 2025.”

Report highlights limits of crime data

The analysis relies on self-reported FBI data from law enforcement agencies and focuses strictly on reported incidents. Researchers noted that while crime statistics provide a standardized comparison, they do not capture all aspects of community safety.

“Crime rates and other statistics give us one way to measure ‘safety’ across cities, but this data only scratches the surface,” the report states, pointing to broader social and economic factors that influence how safe residents feel.

The full list of the 100 safest cities includes communities across multiple states, with smaller towns continuing to dominate the rankings due to consistently lower crime rates.

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