Community Life
Crimes Against People
Decreasing
Crimes Against People
What does this measure?
The number of reported crimes against people, per 1,000 residents. Murder, kidnapping/abduction, forcible and statutory rape, aggravated and sexual assault, and intimidation/stalking are included in this measure.
Why is this important?
Crime detracts from the quality of life of those who directly experience and witness it, but it also impacts the lives of others within the community, as well as housing stability, and a community's attractiveness as a place to live, work, and do business.
How is our region doing?
The rate of reported crimes against people in MetroWest was 7 per 1,000 residents in 2022, significantly lower than the statewide rate of 11. The regional rates has declined 12% since 2013, while the statewide rate have increased about 7% since 2013. Among the region's counties, the rate was highest in Worcester (10 per 1,000) compared to Middlesex and Norfolk (both around 6).
Rates in 2022 were below 5 in most of the region's communities. They were highest in Marlborough (15), Milford (10) and Westborough (8), and lowest in Bedford, Carlisle, Westford, Weston and Wayland (all 1 or below). Framingham (7) and Natick and Waltham (both at 5) were on the higher end of the spectrum, while Harvard was a bit lower (4), by comparison.
Notes about the data
Crime reports are never complete because some crimes, such as rape and assault, are believed to be underreported. Comparable national data was not available. Data for this indicator is expected to be released annually in July.
Crimes Against People
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 10.3 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 11.1 |
| Region | 8.3 | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.3 |
| Middlesex County | 7.4 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 6.6 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.2 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 6.4 |
| Norfolk County | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 6.3 |
| Worcester County | 12.3 | 12.2 | 11.5 | 11.4 | 11.3 | 10.7 | 10.6 | 9.5 | 9.8 | 9.6 |
| Acton town, Middlesex County | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.2 |
| Ashland town, Middlesex County | 5.0 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.3 | 3.6 |
| Bedford town, Middlesex County | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Bellingham town, Norfolk County | 6.5 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 9.0 | 8.4 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 6.0 | |
| Boxborough town, Middlesex County | 4.7 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 5.5 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 2.2 |
| Carlisle town, Middlesex County | 0.4 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | |
| Concord town, Middlesex County | 4.6 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Dedham town, Norfolk County | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 2.7 | |
| Dover town, Norfolk County | 1.7 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.3 | |
| Framingham city, Middlesex County | 6.4 | 6.0 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 7.9 | 6.7 | 7.4 |
| Franklin town, Norfolk County | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 2.7 | |
| Groton town, Middlesex County | 3.4 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 2.4 | 3.0 |
| Harvard town, Worcester County | 3.1 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 3.9 |
| Holliston town, Middlesex County | 2.3 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Hopkinton town, Middlesex County | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.6 |
| Hudson town, Middlesex County | 8.4 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Lexington town, Middlesex County | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 2.2 |
| Lincoln town, Middlesex County | 2.2 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 1.8 |
| Littleton town, Middlesex County | 3.9 | 4.7 | 6.0 | 5.3 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| Marlborough city, Middlesex County | 14.1 | 14.6 | 12.9 | 12.2 | 13.5 | 12.9 | 13.7 | 12.5 | 14.6 | 14.8 |
| Maynard town, Middlesex County | 9.3 | 7.2 | 10.3 | 9.7 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 7.4 |
| Medfield town, Norfolk County | 3.7 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 2.4 | |||||
| Medway town, Norfolk County | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.7 | |
| Milford town, Worcester County | 9.2 | 8.4 | 9.7 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 11.0 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 9.3 | 9.8 |
| Millis town, Norfolk County | 5.0 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 2.8 | |||||
| Natick town, Middlesex County | 5.3 | 6.1 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Needham town, Norfolk County | 1.5 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | |
| Sherborn town, Middlesex County | 3.1 | 6.1 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.8 | |
| Southborough town, Worcester County | 0.7 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| Stow town, Middlesex County | 4.5 | 3.4 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 3.3 |
| Sudbury town, Middlesex County | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 2.2 |
| Walpole town, Norfolk County | 6.9 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 7.4 | 8.2 | 6.9 | 6.9 | |
| Waltham city, Middlesex County | 10.1 | 9.1 | 8.7 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Wayland town, Middlesex County | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | ||
| Wellesley town, Norfolk County | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.6 | |
| Westborough town, Worcester County | 4.4 | 5.4 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 8.8 | 8.3 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Westford town, Middlesex County | 3.3 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.4 |
| Weston town, Middlesex County | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Westwood town, Norfolk County | 5.7 | 5.5 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 2.6 |
Source: Massachusetts State Police
Notes: Rates are per 1,000 residents.
Notes: Rates are per 1,000 residents.
Number of Crimes Against People
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 68,593 | 66,410 | 65,095 | 64,687 | 62,955 | 61,941 | 64,373 | 70,167 | 72,903 | 77,136 |
| Region | 25,343 | 24,673 | 24,511 | 23,849 | 23,731 | 23,091 | 22,892 | 20,651 | 21,370 | 23,269 |
| Middlesex County | 11,506 | 10,832 | 11,106 | 10,438 | 10,154 | 10,142 | 10,089 | 9,161 | 9,355 | 10,304 |
| Norfolk County | 3,869 | 3,937 | 3,989 | 4,071 | 4,266 | 4,108 | 4,039 | 3,577 | 3,915 | 4,608 |
| Worcester County | 9,968 | 9,904 | 9,416 | 9,340 | 9,311 | 8,841 | 8,764 | 7,913 | 8,100 | 8,357 |
| Acton town, Middlesex County | 87 | 99 | 111 | 110 | 110 | 108 | 109 | 79 | 67 | 75 |
| Ashland town, Middlesex County | 85 | 94 | 100 | 89 | 71 | 72 | 67 | 75 | 59 | 66 |
| Bedford town, Middlesex County | 19 | 20 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 17 | 15 | 27 | 15 | 16 |
| Bellingham town, Norfolk County | 109 | 138 | 141 | 153 | 144 | 112 | 120 | 130 | 104 | |
| Boxborough town, Middlesex County | 24 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 33 | 25 | 12 | 25 | 14 | 12 |
| Carlisle town, Middlesex County | 2 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 8 | 6 | |
| Concord town, Middlesex County | 89 | 52 | 50 | 83 | 54 | 65 | 68 | 57 | 75 | 72 |
| Dedham town, Norfolk County | 71 | 70 | 53 | 54 | 43 | 53 | 47 | 40 | 68 | |
| Dover town, Norfolk County | 10 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 2 | |
| Framingham city, Middlesex County | 450 | 423 | 599 | 626 | 600 | 603 | 627 | 588 | 499 | 525 |
| Franklin town, Norfolk County | 54 | 46 | 43 | 67 | 85 | 110 | 81 | 66 | 94 | |
| Groton town, Middlesex County | 38 | 23 | 29 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 39 | 51 | 27 | 33 |
| Harvard town, Worcester County | 20 | 20 | 16 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 9 | 13 | 23 | 27 |
| Holliston town, Middlesex County | 33 | 24 | 37 | 36 | 27 | 33 | 49 | 48 | 32 | 24 |
| Hopkinton town, Middlesex County | 24 | 24 | 34 | 29 | 50 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 36 | 49 |
| Hudson town, Middlesex County | 166 | 79 | 67 | 78 | 56 | 98 | 85 | 51 | 80 | 58 |
| Lexington town, Middlesex County | 27 | 20 | 38 | 33 | 30 | 41 | 51 | 54 | 76 | 73 |
| Lincoln town, Middlesex County | 16 | 23 | 15 | 16 | 23 | 24 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 12 |
| Littleton town, Middlesex County | 36 | 44 | 59 | 53 | 44 | 46 | 55 | 33 | 24 | 23 |
| Marlborough city, Middlesex County | 555 | 577 | 512 | 486 | 538 | 517 | 544 | 493 | 577 | 603 |
| Maynard town, Middlesex County | 97 | 76 | 110 | 104 | 69 | 62 | 64 | 53 | 55 | 77 |
| Medfield town, Norfolk County | 45 | 18 | 12 | 22 | 31 | |||||
| Medway town, Norfolk County | 18 | 20 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 47 | 22 | 10 | 23 | |
| Milford town, Worcester County | 261 | 238 | 276 | 275 | 273 | 319 | 246 | 242 | 269 | 297 |
| Millis town, Norfolk County | 41 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 23 | |||||
| Natick town, Middlesex County | 188 | 218 | 188 | 206 | 189 | 202 | 128 | 153 | 193 | 192 |
| Needham town, Norfolk County | 45 | 49 | 66 | 52 | 52 | 71 | 73 | 71 | 72 | |
| Sherborn town, Middlesex County | 13 | 26 | 18 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 8 | |
| Southborough town, Worcester County | 7 | 10 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 16 | 34 | 13 | 19 |
| Stow town, Middlesex County | 31 | 24 | 36 | 42 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 19 | 12 | 23 |
| Sudbury town, Middlesex County | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 40 | 70 | 42 | 44 | 61 | 43 |
| Walpole town, Norfolk County | 170 | 159 | 168 | 218 | 224 | 187 | 206 | 174 | 174 | |
| Waltham city, Middlesex County | 629 | 573 | 552 | 469 | 434 | 461 | 407 | 344 | 263 | 344 |
| Wayland town, Middlesex County | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Wellesley town, Norfolk County | 65 | 61 | 56 | 48 | 37 | 47 | 51 | 37 | 45 | |
| Westborough town, Worcester County | 81 | 102 | 73 | 105 | 99 | 116 | 169 | 159 | 145 | 164 |
| Westford town, Middlesex County | 77 | 62 | 41 | 57 | 36 | 46 | 38 | 34 | 28 | 34 |
| Weston town, Middlesex County | 25 | 18 | 9 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 29 | 15 | 18 | 16 |
| Westwood town, Norfolk County | 85 | 82 | 67 | 91 | 52 | 43 | 49 | 57 | 43 |
Source: Massachusetts State Police
Community Life Indicators
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| INDICATORS | REGIONAL TREND |
|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Establishments | Increasing |
| Households Without Vehicles | Maintaining |
| Means of Transportation to Work | Not Applicable |
| Households With Internet Access | Increasing |
| Voter Participation Rate | Decreasing |
| Average Charitable Contribution | Maintaining |
| People Without Health Insurance | Decreasing |
| Opioid Overdose Mortality Rate | Increasing |
| Crimes Against People | Decreasing |
| Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity | Not Applicable |
| Tourism Spending | Maintaining |
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Employment | Maintaining |
| Arts Grants Distribution | Maintaining |
| Arts and Culture Attendance | Not Applicable |
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