7 Safest Small Communities To Settle In New Jersey
As one of the original 13 colonies, New Jersey has a long, storied history, which is heavily influenced by its proximity to the megalopolis of New York City. However, it is also nicknamed the "Garden State" due to the numerous gardens found throughout the state, both at universities like Rutgers University and in many small towns. In addition, New Jersey's violent crime rate is 39.4% lower than the U.S. national average, meaning there are many safe communities one can settle down in.
These safe communities also offer many pleasant attractions, such as an 18th-century homestead, mountain ski courses, majestic wildlife sanctuaries, an Ice Age-era pond, and a room that is so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat. Read on to learn about the seven safest small communities to settle in New Jersey.
Sparta
Named after the Greek city, Sparta evokes images of fierce Greek warriors clashing in battle. The town itself has a much calmer vibe, with no homicides reported over the last five-year period and an aggravated assault rate that falls well below the national and state average. It's situated next to the lovely Lake Mohawk, which can be walked along via the Lake Mohawk Boardwalk. Visitors can also gain picturesque views of the lake by ascending the hills of Sparta Glen Park. If you're looking to see a historical overview of Sparta, you can find it within the Van Kirk Museum, named after Thomas Van Kirk, who built the Homestead in 1780. It remained in the family for 200 years. Within the museum, you can see the years pass by with rooms focused on the Civil War, a Victorian Parlor, and a Colonial Kitchen. Lastly, residents can find all manner of lovely local restaurants from American diner food at the Sparta Diner to European fare at the Café Pierrot.
Vernon
This gentle mountain community is a hidden treasure in New Jersey. Vernon is located within the Kittatinny Mountains and possesses several outdoor attractions to refresh the soul. For one, skiers love to come to Mountain Creek Winter-Skiing for its 167 acres on four mountain peaks or to try out the fun Zip Tours. Cyclists also have a lot to love here with the mountain biking trails at Mountain Creek Bike Park, while families enjoy the Mountain Creek Waterpark during the summer. The town is also home to one of the top-rated cafes and coffee shops in New Jersey: The Daily Bean. Vernon is only 50 miles away from New York City, but it has one of the lowest crime rates in New Jersey, with no homicides reported in the last 5 years and a minuscule rate of aggravated assaults.
Bernardsville
Bernardsville is located within Somerset County, which is largely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in New Jersey. It's easy to see why once you arrive in Bernardsville, with its mixture of well-maintained gardens, ponds, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Nervine Memorial Park is a perfect locale to go for a hike and see weeping willows over Borough Pond, while the Cross Estate Gardens proudly display a mixture of native and formal gardens and a shaded walkway called a pergola. Another popular spot is the 276-acre New Jersey Audubon's Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to more than 200 species of birds like the Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and Great-horned Owl. Bernardsville has a number of casual places to grab a bite to eat, such as at the Claremont Tavern. This township has barely any violent crime to speak of, with no homicides over the last five years and the last aggravated assault reported in November 2024.
Ridgewood
Just under 27,000 people call Ridgewood home, which is just 20 miles from Manhattan. Despite this close proximity to the big city, Ridgewood has a slower pace of life, along with a safer environment. It has no reported homicides within the past five years. Although it did have a spike in aggravated assaults in August 2025, the overall trend line remains below the New Jersey and U.S. averages. For things to do, Ridgewood has cute historic sites such as The Schoolhouse Museum, a 1872 structure that hosts artifacts from life throughout Ridgewood's history, including its time as a Dutch settlement in the late 1600s. For cute outdoor attractions, go for a walk at Graydon Park, which also features a spring-fed swimming pool. There's also Twinney Pond Park, which has a kettle pond that was formed in the last Ice Age. For those willing to drive, Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area is located in Boonton and is named after its unique pyramid shape.
River Edge
River Edge has held a rich historical significance for the United States. During the American Revolution, George Washington escaped with his army across the New Bridge in the community in 1776, saving his army from certain destruction. This would later be called the bridge that saved America. Today, there are several Revolutionary War era buildings to see, including the 1774 Campbell-Christie House, which would serve first as a store and later as a smithy. Another is the 1752 Steuben House, which would serve as George Washington's headquarters in September 1780. If you're looking for a hike, go to River Edge Arboretum or Cherry Blossom Park, named for its cherry blossoms. The community of River Edge enjoys a peaceful existence, with no homicides to speak of and only a few incidents of aggravated assaults over the last five years.
Mahwah
Nestled on the Ramapo River, Mahwah is the ideal place for anyone looking for a naturally rich community to settle in. It is renowned for its woodland parks like the Campgaw Mountain Reservation, offering hiking trails, skiing, archery, snowboarding, and other fun activities. It also contains the biggest park in Bergen County, the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, home to more than 4,000 acres of hiking trails over hills, valleys, and ponds. The Mahwah Museum preserves its history from its pioneer days in 1700 to the railroad, the Gilded Age, and beyond. For artistic performances, Mahwah has the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts. Mahwah hasn't seen a homicide since 2021, and its aggravated assault level is below the New Jersey and U.S. average. In fact, it's listed as one of the towns with the lowest violent crime rates in the U.S.
New Providence
Puritans first settled the area around New Providence in 1720, initially calling it Turkey Town due to the large numbers of wild turkeys. The name of the town was changed to New Providence when the local church's balcony collapsed in 1759, but miraculously, no one was injured. Today, the town is equally free of disaster, as it's only seen three spikes in aggravated assaults over the past five years and no homicides reported. For residents or visitors in New Providence, there are a number of intriguing spots to visit. One is the Bell Labs Anechoic Chamber, located just outside New Providence in Murray Hill, which was constructed in 1947 to eliminate all echoes, creating a room so quiet that you can hear your own heartbeat.
Another spot is the Salt Box Museum, which was originally two different 19th-century houses that were joined together and moved to its current location in 1967. Today, it contains many intriguing artifacts, including photos from the late 18th to early 19th centuries. Other fun spots include the Untied Brewing Company and the indoor golfing center GolfCave. For outdoor activities, check out the Watchung Reservation, which offers trails, skiing, fishing, and more, located in nearby Mountainside.
When choosing a great place to settle down, many believe you have to choose between an unsafe community with plenty of things to do or a safe place with nothing to do. These small towns prove that dichotomy wrong, with their low violent crime rates and rich natural and cultural landmarks. For example, one can spend time exploring the many mountain spots in Mahwah or explore Revolutionary War history at Rivers Edge. In addition, many of these safe communities are within driving distance of New York City, making it easy to take a family trip to the Big Apple. These seven safe communities are a great option for anyone looking to set down roots in The Garden State.
