Hillsborough Named 20th Safest City In New Jersey: Report

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Once again, Hillsborough Township has landed on the list of the safest cities in New Jersey, according to a new study done by Safewise.

For 2025, the township has landed as the 20th safest city in New Jersey.

"That's a big shout out to our police department in keeping the town safe," said Hillsborough Mayor John Ciccarelli at the Tuesday Township Committee meeting. "We fully support them in the efforts that they endeavor on."

SafeWise used the most recent FBI crime data, population, and other ranking factors,like unique safety initiatives and security programs implemented within the past few years.

For 2025, Hillsborough Township, which boasts a population of 43,522 earned top marks with a 0.6 violent crime rate and a 5.7 property crime rate per 1,000 people.

In 2024, the Township was ranked as the fifth safest in the state. The violent crime rate is up from 0.2 in 2024 and the property crime is up from 3.0 in 2024.

Hillsborough was the second-highest-ranked Somerset County town. Vernon Township in Sussex County was the top-ranked city on the list.

Here are how other towns ranked in New Jersey under the top 20:

1. Vernon Township
2. Bernards Township
3. Sparta Township
4. Jefferson Township
5. Hopatcong
6. Denville Township
7. Mount Olive Township
8. West Milford Township
9. New Milford
10. Madison
11. Jackson Township
12. Dumont
13. Harrison Township
14. Barnegat Township
15. Montville Township
16. Manchester Township
17. Florham Park
18. South River
19. Ridgewood
20. Hillsborough Township

SafeWise, a security product review platform, looked at FBI crime statistics for cities in the state to compile its annual Safest Cities report. A total of 128 cities met the criteria to be considered for ranking, including municipalities like Bernards Township and Denville Township that reported zero violent crimes.

"This is not only due to the men and women who serve on the Police force, but also the Hillsborough Community who continues to take pride of ownership," said Ciccarelli.

"We are proud to be recognized as one of the safest municipalities in NJ once again," said Hillsborough Township Police Chief Mike McMahon. "This is a direct result of the hard work that our officers put in every day to serve our community.”

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