Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and just 3.7 miles north of Boston, Lynn is a city in Massachusetts. First settled by Europeans in 1629, Lynn has a rich history. The city got the nickname “City of Sin” due to its high levels of crime and violence during the prohibition area. This reputation has many people wondering if Lynn, MA is a safe place to live.
If you are considering moving to Lynn, then you may be wondering how safe the area is. Despite its history, Lynn is a very safe place to live. The crime rates are decreasing every year, and Lynn is now known for its public artwork, incredible real estate, and beautiful public parks. Here’s what you need to know about the crime rate in Lynn and the safest and most dangerous neighborhoods in the area.
Understanding the Lynn MA Crime Rate – How Crime Rates Are Calculated
The first step many people take when determining whether or not Lynn is a safe place to live is to look at the overall crime rates. Before you do this, however, you should understand how crime rates are calculated and what they are (and are not) telling you. Crime rates can be very useful, but they are not always the most accurate portrayal of a city.
Crime rates are determined by the FBI by using data collected from law enforcement agencies. These rates are broken down into overall crime, property crime, and violent crime. To calculate these rates, the FBI takes the total number of crimes committed in an area and then divides it by the total population of the area. Then, those numbers are multiplied by 100,000. This is why you see crime rates reported as “X” number of crimes per 100,000 people.
These reports can be very helpful for people to get a general idea of how safe a city is or for law enforcement to work on improving the numbers. However, there are also many ways that this system fails. Crime rates are objective and do not explain that there are some parts of a city that are more dangerous than others. This is true for Lynn, as most of the crime is contained in specific neighborhoods where gang activity is higher.
Data reporting is also voluntary, so law enforcement is not required to share their information. This means that some areas will come across as safer, when in reality, their law enforcement is just not reporting the information.
What Is the Lynn MA Crime Rate?
Comparing the Lynn, Massachusetts crime rate to the state and national averages can help you to get a better idea of how safe the area is.
The national crime rate is:
- 2,346 crimes per 100,000 people
- 388 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- 1,158 property crimes per 100,000 people
- 1 in 43 chance of being a victim of a crime
The Massachusetts crime rate is:
- 1,362 crimes per 100,000 people
- 309 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- 1053 property crimes per 100,000 people
- 1 in 73 chance of being a victim of a crime
Based on the information above, you can see that the crime rate in Massachusetts is lower than the national average. How does Lynn compare to these numbers?
The Lynn, MA crime rate is:
- 1,409 crimes per 100,000 people
- 444 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- 966 property crimes per 100,000 people
- 1 in 71 chance of being a victim of a crime
The Lynn, Massachusetts crime rate is 3.5% higher than the state average and 39.9% lower than the national average. Lynn’s crime rate is well below the national average and just hardly above the state average, making Lynn a very safe place to live.
Lynn Crime Map & Crime Reports
This Lynn, MA crime map gives you an idea of where most crimes are committed in the city. The darker areas are said to be the most dangerous, while the lighter areas are considered the safest.
As you can see from the map above, the more dangerous areas of Lynn are concentrated in the southwest region of the city. This area is closer to the downtown area, where there is a more active nightlife scene as well as a higher level of gang activity.
Another great way to assess the crime in the area is to take a look at the Lynn police reports. These crime reports can give you an idea of the types of crimes that are being committed in different areas of the city.
Violent Crime in Lynn MA
Violent crimes include murder, homicide, assault, battery, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, robbery, and kidnapping.
Lynn, MA Violent Crime Statistics:
- Murders in Lynn, MA: 6 per 100,000 people
- Lynn violent crime rate: 444 per 100,000 people
- Total number of violent crimes in Lynn (2020): 418
- Chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Lynn: 1 in 225
The violent crime rate in Lynn is 43.8% higher than the state average and 14.5% higher than the national average. Although these percentages are high, Lynn has been making incredible progress over the past few years. As seen in the graph below, the violent crime rate in Lynn has been declining since 2016 and has only continued to go down.
There are also many organizations in Lynn, such as ROCA, that are dedicated to engaging young adults, police, and systems at the center of urban violence in relationships to address trauma, find hope, and drive change.
Property Crime in Lynn MA
Property crimes include theft, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, shoplifting, and vandalism.
Lynn, MA Property Crime Statistics:
- Lynn property crime rate: 966 per 100,000 people
- Total property crimes in Lynn (2020): 910
- Chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Lynn: 1 in 104
The property crime rate in Lynn, MA, is 8.3% lower than the state average and 50.7% lower than the national average.
As you can see, property crimes are less of a threat in Lynn. Nearly all of the property crimes committed in 2020 were categorized as theft. Although frustrating, theft generally does not pose any harm to your safety. The best way to prevent property crime when living in Lynn is to lock up your belongings and try not to leave valuable items in your vehicle.
High Crime Areas of Lynn MA
Although most areas of Lynn are safe, there are some neighborhoods with a higher crime rate than others. Here are a few of the most dangerous areas in Lynn.
Downtown Lynn
Downtown Lynn is where a majority of the crime in Lynn takes place. Downtown Lynn has a very active nightlife scene. Because of this, alcohol and drug use contribute to much of the crime in the area. Downtown Lynn is generally safe during the day, with lots of shops and restaurants to explore. The city is also working hard to revitalize the area and was just awarded $500,000 to improve the downtown art scene.
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Lynnway
Lynnway is a suburban neighborhood located southwest of the downtown area. The poverty rate in this area is very high, per capita income of the residents being lower than 96.6% of the neighborhoods in America. This high poverty rate, combined with poor living conditions, makes this one of the least sought-after places to live in Lynn.
Central Lynn West
Central Lynn West is just outside of Downtown Lynn. This area is generally safe during the day, but at night there is not much to do, and the gang activity picks up. This neighborhood does not have any tourist attractions, so staying out of this area is not hard to do.
Safest Neighborhoods in Lynn MA
There are many amazing places to live in Lynn, MA where you won’t have to worry about a high crime rate. Here are just a few of the safest neighborhoods in Lynn.
Lynn Woods
Lynn Woods is one of the best places to live in Lynn. This neighborhood is great for families and contains some of the best schools in the area, such as Shoemaker Elementary School and Lynn Woods Elementary School. Lynn Woods is also home to the beautiful Lynn Woods Reservation, which is a beautiful forest park with gardens, caves, and ponds.
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Indian Ridge
Indian Ridge is a quiet neighborhood with amazing waterfront properties. The area is surrounded by Sluice Pond and Browns Pond, which are both great for fishing and other water activities. This area is home to some of the best real estate in the city, and the median home price in Indian Ridge is $469,500.
West Lynn South
If you want to stay close to the downtown area without fear of high crime rates, then look no further than West Lynn South. West Lynn South is just outside of downtown and has many incredible apartment living options. This area is very walkable and includes a lot of cute coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Lynn Massachusetts Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Lynn
- Be cautious when walking at night, especially in areas where there aren’t many people.
- If walking alone, make sure to be aware of your surroundings.
- If you are on a college campus such as North Shore Community College, then keep an eye on your valuable belongings. Many property crimes happen on campuses where students leave their valuables in cars or on desks.
- Think about downloading apps such as WalkSafe that will help you find the safest route home.
Lynn Police Department
When living in Lynn, MA, you will be served by the Lynn Police Department, which is led by police chief Christopher P. Reddy. The creation of the police department dates back to 1636 when watchmen were appointed to be certain that the residents of the town were rising and going to bed at appropriate hours. Today, there are 177 officers on the force. This is 2 police officers for every 1,000 citizens.
The Lynn Massachusetts police reports are public information and can be accessed on the City of Lynn Police Department’s website. You can find the Lynn Police Department at 300 Washington St, Lynn, MA 01902 or call them at (781) 595-2000
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Lynn Crime Rate FAQ
Is Lynn, MA Safe?
Yes, Lynn MA is a safe place to live.
What Is the Crime Rate in Lynn, MA?
The crime rate in Lynn, MA is 1,409 crimes per 100,000 people.
What Is the Lynn, MA Murder Rate?
The murder rate in Lynn, MA is 6 per 100,000 people.
Lynn Massachusetts has a low crime rate and many safe areas to choose from, making it a wonderful place to live. If you are thinking about moving to Lynn, then contact LynnMovers today at (978) 587-3775 for a free moving estimate!
