What Are The 9 Safest Neighborhoods In New Haven, CT?

Paige Hanawalt
by Paige Hanawalt

New Haven, Connecticut is a bustling city located along the New Haven Harbor. The third-largest city in the state, it is actually a part of the New York City metropolitan area. From outdoor adventures to an active nightlife scene, and with a menagerie of culture, history, and breweries to enjoy, there is no end to fun to be had in New Haven.

The top 5 safest neighborhoods in New Haven, Connecticut are: East Rock, Westville, Wooster Square, East Shore, and Prospect Hill. These neighborhoods boast lower crime rates than the New Haven City average, and particularly have low violent crime rates, making them very safe places to live. Among these neighborhoods are those with high median household incomes, low unemployment rates, and low costs of living compared to that of greater Connecticut.

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9 Safest Neighborhoods in New Haven

Crime in New Haven has remained consistent over the past few years, decreasing by about 1%. It is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country, with crime rates 89% higher than the national average. However, this does not mean that every area in New Haven is unsafe. Any of the below neighborhoods are safer than the New Haven average and are excellent places to live in and visit.

1. East Rock

  • Population: 9,783
  • Median Income: $60,655
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 1,878 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 7.1%

The #1 safest neighborhood in New Haven, Connecticut is East Rock. It is a little over a mile away from the city and nestled along Mill River.

The crime rate in East Rock is less than half of that seen in New Haven. Crime rates are actually lower than the national average as well, and it is safer than 68% of the cities in Connecticut.

Unemployment in East Rock is higher than the national and Connecticut average, but on par with what is seen in the city. The median household income is higher than the surrounding city as well as the U.S average.

Cost of living is high on all accounts. The average home value is $329,155 and rental prices hover around $1,289.

2. Westville

  • Population: 8,106
  • Median Income: $77,388
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 2,471 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.3%

The Westville neighborhood 2.8 miles to the west of New Haven City. This neighborhood is surrounded by parks and is home to a few public schools and parks.

Westville has a lower crime rate than both the New Haven and national average. In this neighborhood, you have a 1 in 41 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Residents of Westville enjoy a median income that is high even by Connecticut standards, which has an extremely high average MHI. It is over twice the New Haven average income. Unemployment is also very low.

Cost of living is high by U.S standards, though lower than the Connecticut average. The median home value is $233,733 and the median rental price is $1,349.

3. Wooster Square

  • Population: 1,664
  • Median Income: $54,724
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 2,662 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.2%

Half a mile from New Haven City is the neighborhood of Wooster Square, along route 91. It is conveniently located close to many shopping centers and restaurants.

Wooster Square is significantly safer than the city of New Haven. It experiences over 1,500 fewer instances of property crime and almost 400 fewer instances of violent crime than New Haven. The median household income in Wooster Square is $54,724. This is lower than the Connecticut and U.S averages, though higher than the surrounding city. Additionally, unemployment is much lower than the rates in New Haven and Connecticut.

The average home value is $218,975 and median rental costs are $1,276, both higher than the national averages. However, both are below the Connecticut average.

4. East Shore

  • Population: 3,636
  • Median Income: $68,615
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 2,700 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 4.2%

The East Shore neighborhood is the fourth safest neighborhood in New Haven. This neighborhood is on the other side of the New Haven Harbor and is ideal for those that love the water and the outdoors.

East Shore is a relatively safe area. Violent crime occurs at an estimated rate of 515 incidents per 100,000 people. The East Shore neighborhood is safer than 58% of the cities in Connecticut. Residents have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

This area has a low unemployment rate and high median household income for the New Haven area. Additionally, the cost of living is lower than the average Connecticut city. The median home value is $205,980. The average monthly rental cost is $1,464.

5. Prospect Hill

  • Population: 4,674
  • Median Income: $52,223
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 3,032 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

Just under a mile from the New Haven city center is Prospect Hill. It is a historic district and home to several public schools.

Both violent and property crime rates are lower in the Prospect Hill neighborhood than in New Haven City. With 3,032 estimated incidents per 100,000 people, you have a .3% chance of becoming a victim.

Though the MHI in Prospect Hill is lower than the Connecticut and U.S average, it is still higher than the New Haven MHI of $38,126. Unemployment is impressively low in this area.

The cost of living is a bit lower for renters than previous entries on this list, averaging $1,187 per month. The average home value, however, is high at $271,660.

6. Downtown

  • Population: 6,416
  • Median Income: $55,183
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 3,619 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.4%

The #6 safest neighborhood in New Haven is its Downtown neighborhood. Downtown has all of the conveniences that New Haven has to offer, and all of the hustle and bustle of the city.

You have a 1 in 28 chance of becoming a victim of a crime in Downtown New Haven. Property crime is significantly more likely than violent crime, which occurs at an estimated rate of 690 incidents per 100,000 people.

Unemployment in Downtown is low at a rate of 2.4%. The MHI is higher than the surrounding area.

As for housing, the cost of living in Downtown is similar to the average New Haven neighborhood. The median home value is $205,533. Rentals are a bit cheaper at an average of $1,136 per month.

7. Edgewood

  • Population: 4,305
  • Median Income: $35,166
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 3,813 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 7.8%

Edgewood is 1.4 miles west of New Haven and is the seventh safest neighborhood in the area. It boasts natural beauty as well as modern conveniences, near ponds and its namesake park.

The crime rate in Edgewood is estimated to be 3,813 per 100,000 people. This is lower than the New Haven City average. In Edgewood, you have a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

The median household income in the Edgewood neighborhood is low, even by New Haven standards. At $35,166, it is lower than the city, state, and national median household income.

The median home value in Edgewood is $248,240 and the median rental price is $1,127, on par with other neighborhoods in the area.

8. Long Wharf

  • Population: 857
  • Median Income: $37,247
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 4,110 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 9.5%

The eighth safest neighborhood in New Haven is 1.3 miles away from the center and sits along the New Haven Harbor. Long Wharf is the least populated neighborhood on this list.

Violent crime in Long Wharf occurs an estimated 784 times per 100,000 people. Property crime is far more likely at an estimated 3,327 incidents. This is lower than the overall crime rate in New Haven.

Both the unemployment rate and median household income come in below par for the surrounding area.

The cost of living in Long Wharf is attractive for renters. The median rental price is $882 per month, lower than the U.S average. Real estate prices are low for Connecticut as well at $201,050 on average.

9. Annex

  • Population: 6,291
  • Median Income: $46,529
  • Crime Rate Per 100,000 People: 4,400 (estimate)
  • Unemployment Rate: 3.1%

The #9 safest neighborhood in New Haven, Connecticut is Annex. This neighborhood is a little over 2 miles from the city, on the other side of New Haven Harbor. Along the highway, it has many of the amenities common for long drives, such as food restaurants, shopping centers, and a few public parks.

The crime rate in Annex is close to that seen in New Haven City. Both violent and property crimes are similar to the city average. In Annex, you have a 1 in 23 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

The cost of living in Annex is the lowest among the safest New Haven neighborhoods. The median home value is $188,180 and the median rental price is $896 per month.

Staying Safe in New Haven, CT

Crime is relatively evenly dispersed throughout the New Haven area. However, areas of higher crime density are located along the river and harbor neighborhoods, as well as surrounding downtown. There are also areas of high crime rates near Yale University.

Therefore, it is important to remain alert in any New Haven neighborhood. Learn the layout of your destination and take proper traveling precautions when entering the city, such as securing your belongings and traveling in a group.

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Summing It Up

New Haven is a relatively dangerous area by national and state standards, and crime has remained consistent in the city in recent years. Crime is not concentrated in any one area. However, there are a number of safe neighborhoods to live in and visit in New Haven. These are the top 9 safest neighborhoods in the New Haven City area, and vary in their proximity to the city, cost of living, and average income.

Paige Hanawalt
Paige Hanawalt

Paige is an elementary school librarian with a passion for writing. Her hobbies include reading an exorbitant amount of fantasy, slowly teaching herself to draw, and home decor. While she isn't the most talented artist or interior designer, what she lacks in skill she more than makes up for in enthusiasm. When she's not curled up with a book, you can certainly find her curled over the keyboard.

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