12 Most Dangerous Cities in Connecticut
- New Haven
- Derby
- Waterbury
- New London
- Bridgeport
- New Britain
- Hartford
- Norwalk
- Meriden
- Norwich
- West Haven
- Hamden
1. New Haven
The most dangerous city in Connecticut is New Haven. This University city is located along the New Haven Harbor and is part of the New York City metropolitan area. New Haven has a population of 135,081, as well as the highest crime rate in Connecticut of 3,917 per 100,000 residents, which is 65% higher than the national average. The most common types of crime are assaults, robberies, thefts, and vehicle theft. There were 27 murders in New Haven in 2022. Despite having a high crime rate, New Haven is the home of Yale University and is an important economic hub in Connecticut.
2. Derby
Derby is another one of the most dangerous cities in Connecticut. Situated at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers, Derby is a small city with a population of 12,325 residents. It’s known for its historic downtown area and for being home to the first electric trolley system in New England. However, Derby is also fairly dangerous and features a total crime rate of 3,416 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 48% higher than the rest of the US and 107% higher than the rest of Connecticut. The violent crime rate is 140% higher than the rest of the state, and property crime is 103% higher. Your odds of being the victim of a crime are 1 in 30.
3. Waterbury
Waterbury is also one of the cities in Connecticut for violent crime. Waterbury is located along the Naugatuck River and is a short drive from New York City. The city has a population of 110,403 and has a crime rate that is 47% above the national average. Waterbury has faced many economic issues since the 1970s and has consistently ranked as having an extremely low quality of life. Waterbury offers few job opportunities, especially when compared to nearby New York City and Boston.
4. New London
New London is another one of the worst places to live in Connecticut due to its crime problem. New London is a port city located at the mouth of the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut. With a population of 27,367, New London has a total crime rate that is 46% above the national average, making it one of the worst cities in Connecticut for crime. The most common types of crime in New London are thefts, assaults, and robberies. There were nine murders recorded in 2022. While the local economy may not be robust, New London still has a great sense of community and an active arts scene.
5. Bridgeport
Bridgeport is the most populous city in Connecticut and a major economic hub in the state. It's also one of the most dangerous cities in Connecticut. With a population of 148,654, Bridgeport's violent crime rate is 44% above the national average. The most common types of crime in Bridgeport are robberies, assaults, thefts, and vehicle thefts. Much of the crime in Bridgeport is related to drug trafficking and addiction.
6. New Britain
New Britain is a dangerous city in Hartford County and is home to Central Connecticut State University. The city's population is 74,135, and it has a total crime rate that is 31% higher than the national average. Property crime is New Britain's biggest concern, with crimes like theft, burglary, and vehicle theft being common. New Britain's crime mainly stems from local poverty and drug activity in the city.
7. Hartford
Hartford is the capital of Connecticut and the fourth largest city in the state. It has a population of 121,054 and a crime rate that is 14% above the national average. The most common types of crime in Hartford include burglary, theft, and assault. Violent crime is also a major concern in Hartford, being 23% above the national average. The high violent crime rate makes Hartford one of the worst cities in Connecticut for safety.
8. Norwalk
Norwalk is a city in western Connecticut just outside of Long Island. Norwalk's population is 91,184, with a violent crime rate that is 9% above the national average. The most common types of crime include assault, robbery, theft, and vehicle theft. Norwalk is overall a safe city and has an active arts scene with many festivals hosted annually. The median home price in Norwalk is $551,968.
9. Meriden
Meriden is a historic city located between New Haven and Hartford. It has a population of 60,850 and a total crime rate that is 8% above the national average. Property crime is the biggest concern in Meriden, with theft, vehicle theft, and burglary being commonplace. The violent crime rate is slightly below the national average, with assaults being the most common. Even with some concerns over theft, the area around Meriden is known for its scenic natural views and colonial history.
10. Norwich
Norwich is a city in New London County that sits near Long Island Sound. The city's population is 40,125, and the crime rate is only slightly above the state average. Although crime isn't that prevalent, Norwich is still one of the most dangerous cities in Connecticut. The most common types of crime in Norwich are property crimes by far, with theft and burglary being the most prevalent. Norwich struggles with a stagnant economy, but the city is generally considered safe. The median home price in Norwich is $240,656.
11. West Haven
West Haven is also a dangerous city in Connecticut. Located within the South Central Connecticut Planning Region on the coast of the Long Island Sound, West Haven is a city in New Haven County with a population of 55,584. It’s known for being home to the longest stretch of publicly accessible shoreline in Connecticut, which contains nearly 25% of the state’s public beaches. The total crime rate is 2,193 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 33% higher than the rest of Connecticut. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in West Haven are 1 in 46.
12. Hamden
Hamden is a city in New Haven County near the famous Sleeping Giant Mountain. The city's population is 61,169, and the property crime rate is 7% above the national average. The most common types of crime in Hamden are burglaries, thefts, and vehicle thefts. Overall, crime isn't a major issue in Hamden, with a violent crime rate that is much lower than the national average.