Crime in Massachusetts 2025
Massachusetts continues to demonstrate its commitment to public safety through comprehensive crime reporting and evidence-based interventions. The Commonwealth’s approach to crime prevention combines robust law enforcement partnerships with community-based strategies that address root causes of criminal activity. According to early data submitted to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), Part One crimes in Massachusetts declined in 2024 by 4.4% compared to 2023, with total NIBRS offenses dropping by 6.5%. This downward trend provides a solid foundation as Massachusetts moves through 2025.
The crime statistics in Massachusetts reflect the state’s multifaceted approach to public safety, encompassing everything from traditional law enforcement to innovative community programs. In 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration invested more than $45 million in targeted public safety initiatives that have contributed to a measurable decline in crime in communities statewide. These investments continue into 2025, focusing on violence prevention, reentry services, emerging adult initiatives, and comprehensive strategies to combat human trafficking and substance use disorders.
Key Crime Stats & Facts in Massachusetts 2025
| Crime Fact | Data Point |
|---|---|
| Homicide Rate Change (2024) | -11.4% decrease |
| Total Part One Crime Change (2024) | -4.4% decrease |
| Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting (2024) | 394 agencies |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Decline (2024) | -16.1% decrease |
| Robberies Decrease (2024) | -8.6% decrease |
| Aggravated Assault Decline (2024) | -5.7% decrease |
| Firearm Homicides Reduction (2024) | -21.82% decrease |
| Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Increase (2024) | +20.5% increase |
| Fatal/Non-Fatal Shootings Tracked (2024) | 400 incidents |
| Public Safety Investment (2024) | $45+ million |
In 2024, Massachusetts experienced notable declines across multiple major crime categories, reflecting improved public safety efforts statewide. The homicide rate fell by 11.4%, with an even more substantial 21.82% reduction in firearm-related homicides, signaling progress in addressing violent crime. Overall, Part One crimes—which include serious offenses such as murder, robbery, and aggravated assault—dropped by 4.4%. Robberies decreased by 8.6%, aggravated assaults by 5.7%, and motor vehicle thefts saw the sharpest drop at 16.1%. These figures are based on reports from 394 law enforcement agencies across the state, providing comprehensive coverage of crime trends.
While violent and property crimes generally fell, some areas of concern remain. Anti-Semitic hate crimes increased by 20.5%, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing bias-related offenses. Additionally, law enforcement tracked 400 shooting incidents—both fatal and non-fatal—underscoring the persistent need for targeted gun violence prevention strategies. The state’s response has included a significant $45+ million investment in public safety initiatives, aimed at crime reduction, community engagement, and technology-driven policing. These measures, combined with continued interagency collaboration, aim to sustain the downward trend in most crime categories while addressing emerging threats.
Violent Crime Statistics in Massachusetts 2025
| Violent Crime Category | 2023 | 2024 | Change | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder and Non-Negligent Homicide | 149 | 132 | -17 | -11.4% |
| Forcible Rape Total | 1,956 | 1,920 | -36 | -1.8% |
| Robbery Total | 2,631 | 2,406 | -225 | -8.6% |
| Aggravated Assault Total | 17,835 | 16,813 | -1,022 | -5.7% |
Violent crime in Massachusetts 2025 continues the positive trends established in 2024, with significant reductions across all major categories. Homicides decreased by 11.4% with 132 reported incidents. This figure is below the five-year average of 146. The -11.4% reduction in homicides represents one of the most substantial improvements in public safety, reflecting the effectiveness of targeted intervention programs and enhanced law enforcement coordination.
The decline in robbery statistics in Massachusetts demonstrates the success of community policing initiatives and economic opportunity programs. Robberies fell by 8.6%, aggravated assaults dropped by 5.7%, indicating broader improvements in community safety and violence prevention. These reductions are particularly significant given national trends and demonstrate Massachusetts’ proactive approach to violent crime prevention. The aggravated assault statistics show a decline of 1,022 incidents, representing meaningful progress in reducing interpersonal violence across the Commonwealth.
Property Crime Statistics in Massachusetts 2025
| Property Crime Category | 2023 | 2024 | Change | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary Total | 9,506 | 8,688 | -818 | -8.6% |
| Larceny-Theft Total | 61,086 | 60,153 | -933 | -1.5% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Total | 8,558 | 7,182 | -1,376 | -16.1% |
Property crime in Massachusetts 2025 shows remarkable improvement, particularly in motor vehicle theft prevention. Motor vehicle thefts saw a sharp decrease of 16.1%, representing the most significant decline among property crimes. This -16.1% reduction translates to 1,376 fewer vehicle thefts, demonstrating the effectiveness of enhanced vehicle security measures and law enforcement strategies.
Burglary rates in Massachusetts declined by 8.6%, with 818 fewer incidents reported in 2024 compared to 2023. This substantial reduction reflects improved home security awareness, community watch programs, and targeted law enforcement efforts in high-risk areas. The larceny-theft statistics show a more modest but still positive -1.5% decline, with 933 fewer incidents. While this represents the smallest percentage decrease among property crimes, it still demonstrates progress in reducing theft-related offenses across the Commonwealth.
Firearm-Related Crime Statistics in Massachusetts 2025
| Firearm Offense Category | 2023 | 2024 | Change | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Homicide with a Firearm | 110 | 86 | -24 | -21.82% |
| Robbery with a Firearm | 595 | 501 | -94 | -15.80% |
| Aggravated Assault with a Firearm | 2,508 | 2,241 | -267 | -10.65% |
| Weapon Law Violations | 3,648 | 3,214 | -434 | -11.90% |
Firearm crime statistics in Massachusetts 2025 reflect significant progress in reducing gun violence across the Commonwealth. Homicides with a Firearm were down nearly 22%, Robberies with a Firearm were down by nearly 16%, and Aggravated Assaults with a Firearm were down by 10.65%. The -21.82% reduction in firearm homicides represents 24 fewer deaths, demonstrating the life-saving impact of comprehensive gun violence prevention strategies.
Gun violence prevention in Massachusetts has achieved measurable success through coordinated enforcement and community intervention programs. The -15.80% decrease in armed robberies shows 94 fewer incidents, while aggravated assaults with firearms dropped by 267 cases, representing a -10.65% decline. Massachusetts began tracking data on fatal and non-fatal shootings by adding “Gunshot Wound” as an injury type in its NIBRS collection. This new data initiative, implemented in the summer of 2024, makes Massachusetts the first state-in-the-nation to collect this data point. This innovative approach to firearm violence tracking captured information on 400 fatal and non-fatal shootings in 2024, providing unprecedented insight into gun violence patterns.
Hate Crime Statistics in Massachusetts 2025
| Hate Crime Category | 2024 Data | Regional Context | State Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Semitic Incidents (MA) | 438 incidents | 68.7% of New England total | $15.5 million in security grants |
| Anti-Jewish Bias Change | +20.5% increase | 5th highest state nationally | HART Team launched |
| Total New England Anti-Semitic | 638 incidents | 5th consecutive record year | Legislative Task Force active |
| Anti-Transgender Bias | Decreased from 2023 | Positive trend | Civil Rights Symposium held |
| School Anti-bias Funding | $460,000 allocated | Concord-Carlisle case | OCR Investigation ongoing |
Hate crime statistics in Massachusetts 2025 reveal both progress and concerning trends requiring immediate attention. While overall hate crime incidents decreased in 2024, the 2024 data identified a troubling 20.5% increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes. For the first time since tracking began in 1991, anti-Jewish bias incidents surpassed anti-Black incidents as the most reported hate crime in Massachusetts. This +20.5% increase in anti-Semitic incidents represents a significant challenge requiring targeted intervention and community support. According to the ADL, of 638 acts of assault and vandalism targeting Jewish communities in New England in 2024, 438 of them were recorded in Massachusetts, making it the fifth-highest number of incidents per state in the country following New York, California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The shift in hate crime patterns in Massachusetts demands comprehensive response strategies. Additionally, Massachusetts experienced a decrease in anti-transgender bias incidents from 2023 to 2024, showing progress in protecting transgender community members. The state’s response includes enhanced hate crime reporting mechanisms, specialized law enforcement training, and community education programs designed to promote understanding and prevent bias-motivated incidents. Healey said her administration is deeply committed to embracing diversity, upholding its values, and combatting incidents of hate crimes through launching the State Police Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HART), the awarding of over $15.5 million in security grants for high-risk nonprofits and hosting statewide educational forums.
Crime Reporting and Law Enforcement Participation in Massachusetts 2025
| Reporting Metrics | 2023 | 2024 | Change | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participating Agencies | 384 | 394 | +10 agencies | State & Local |
| Participation Growth | Baseline | 2.6% increase | Enhanced transparency | Full Year reporting |
| Data Collection Methods | UCR/NIBRS | Enhanced NIBRS | Gunshot tracking added | First in nation |
| Reporting Compliance | High | Record high | Improved coordination | Statewide |
| Fatal/Non-Fatal Shootings | Not tracked | 400 incidents | New data point | Summer 2024 launch |
Crime reporting in Massachusetts 2025 reaches unprecedented levels of participation and transparency. Participation in crime data reporting also reached a new milestone in 2024, with 394 state and local law enforcement agencies submitting a full year of statistics, up from 384 in 2023. This increase of 10 additional agencies participating in comprehensive crime reporting represents a 2.6% improvement in statewide data collection. Massachusetts began tracking data on fatal and non-fatal shootings by adding “Gunshot Wound” as an injury type in its NIBRS collection, making Massachusetts the first state-in-the-nation to collect this data point.
The enhanced participation demonstrates Massachusetts’ commitment to data-driven public safety decision making. This growth in participation demonstrates an increasing statewide commitment to transparency, accountability, and data-informed public safety efforts. The 394 law enforcement agencies now participating in comprehensive reporting provide a more complete picture of crime patterns across urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout the Commonwealth, enabling more targeted and effective public safety strategies. The innovative tracking system captured information on 400 fatal and non-fatal shootings in 2024, providing unprecedented insight into gun violence patterns.
Drug and Substance-Related Crime Statistics in Massachusetts 2025
| Substance Crime Category | 2021 Data | 2024 Trends | Change Pattern | State Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUI Arrests | 7,486 cases | Continued monitoring | 43% increase (2020-2021) | Treatment programs |
| Drug/Narcotic Violations | 10,057 violations | Declining trend | 13% increase (2020-2021) | Harm reduction |
| Youth Drug Use (12-17) | 13% (2014) | 3.4% (2024) | -73.8% decrease | Prevention focus |
| Adult Drug Use Rate | 12.12% past-month | Above national average | vs 8.82% national | Treatment access |
| Fraud-Related Offenses | Baseline | Double-digit declines | Significant reduction | Economic programs |
Drug crime statistics in Massachusetts 2025 reflect the ongoing challenges of substance use disorders and their connection to criminal activity. In 2021, DUI arrests nearly doubled from the previous year with 7,486 cases (a 43% increase from 2020). In 2021, there were 10,057 drug/narcotic violations, a 13% increase from the previous year. However, fraud-related offenses, including identity theft and welfare fraud, experienced double-digit declines in 2024, which often correlate with reduced drug-related desperate criminal behavior. The state’s comprehensive approach includes treatment-oriented responses to substance use disorders rather than purely punitive measures.
Substance abuse prevention in Massachusetts integrates public health and criminal justice approaches to address the root causes of drug-related crime. Youth illicit drug use among adolescents declined from 13% in 2014 to 3.4% in 2024, contrasting with the rise seen in older demographics. The state’s investment in treatment programs, harm reduction strategies, and reentry services aims to break the cycle of addiction and criminality. 12.12% of residents reported past-month illicit drug use (national average: 8.82%) 4.24% report using illicit drugs other than marijuana (national average: 3.6%) These evidence-based interventions contribute to the overall crime reduction trends observed in 2024 and continuing into 2025.
Public Safety Investment and Crime Prevention in Massachusetts 2025
| Investment Category | 2024 Amount | Program Type | Target Outcomes | Agencies Involved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Public Safety Investment | $45+ million | Comprehensive initiatives | Crime reduction | EOPSS coordination |
| Violence Prevention | Significant portion | Community-based programs | Youth engagement | Shannon Initiative |
| Nonprofit Security Grants | $15.5+ million | High-risk organizations | Hate crime prevention | Faith-based partners |
| Reentry Services | Multi-million | Adult & emerging adult | Recidivism reduction | Commonwealth Project |
| School Anti-bias Programs | $460,000 | Educational institutions | Bias prevention | School districts |
Public safety funding in Massachusetts 2025 builds upon the substantial investments made in 2024. In 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration invested more than $45 million in targeted public safety initiatives that have contributed to a measurable decline in crime in communities statewide. This $45+ million investment supports diverse programs from violence prevention to reentry services. The administration has also allocated $460,000 specifically to confront bias-motivated incidents in schools, demonstrating targeted response to emerging challenges.
The crime prevention strategies in Massachusetts encompass multiple evidence-based approaches. This robust funding administered by the Office of Grants and Research has supported a wide range of programs, including violence prevention efforts, reentry services, emerging adult initiatives, nonprofit security enhancements, and strategies to combat human trafficking and substance use disorder. Programs like the Shannon Community Safety Initiative and the Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhood demonstrate the state’s commitment to collaborative, community-based solutions to crime prevention. The awarding of over $15.5 million in security grants for high-risk nonprofits specifically addresses the rising threat of hate crimes against vulnerable communities.
Regional Crime Trends in Massachusetts 2025
| Regional Area | Crime Characteristics | Specific Challenges | Response Strategies | Data Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Metro | Highest absolute numbers | Urban density issues | Enhanced patrols | BPD reporting |
| Rural Areas | Lower overall rates | Drug trafficking corridors | Interstate cooperation | State Police |
| Suburban Communities | Property crime focus | Vehicle theft concerns | Neighborhood watch | Local departments |
| College Towns | Student-related incidents | Alcohol violations | Campus partnerships | University police |
| Border Regions | Interstate crime | Trafficking routes | Multi-state coordination | Joint task forces |
Regional crime analysis in Massachusetts 2025 reveals variations across different areas of the Commonwealth. Urban centers like Boston continue to report the highest absolute numbers of crimes, while rural areas generally maintain lower overall crime rates but may face specific challenges such as drug trafficking along interstate corridors. Suburban communities often experience property crimes related to their higher concentrations of valuable assets, with motor vehicle theft being a particular concern that saw a significant -16.1% decrease statewide in 2024.
Metropolitan area crime statistics show the effectiveness of regional coordination among law enforcement agencies. The 394 participating agencies work together through information sharing, joint task forces, and coordinated response strategies. This collaborative approach enables smaller departments to benefit from resources and expertise typically available only to larger agencies, improving public safety outcomes across all communities regardless of size or location. College towns face unique challenges related to student populations, while border regions require specialized attention to interstate crime patterns and trafficking routes.
Technology and Crime Statistics in Massachusetts 2025
| Technology Initiative | Implementation | Innovation Level | Data Collection | Impact Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunshot Wound Tracking | Summer 2024 | First in nation | 400 incidents tracked | Enhanced analysis |
| Enhanced NIBRS | Fully operational | Advanced reporting | 394 agencies | Detailed patterns |
| Predictive Analytics | In development | AI-assisted | Historical trends | Resource optimization |
| Real-time Data Sharing | Active systems | Multi-agency | Instant updates | Faster response |
| Crime Mapping | Geospatial analysis | Interactive platforms | Public access | Community awareness |
Crime data technology in Massachusetts 2025 represents cutting-edge approaches to public safety analysis. Massachusetts began tracking data on fatal and non-fatal shootings by adding “Gunshot Wound” as an injury type in its NIBRS collection. This new data initiative, implemented in the summer of 2024, makes Massachusetts the first state-in-the-nation to collect this data point. This innovative gunshot wound tracking system provides unprecedented detail about firearm violence patterns, having captured information on 400 fatal and non-fatal shootings in 2024.
The state’s commitment to advanced crime analytics extends beyond basic reporting to predictive modeling and resource allocation optimization. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) implementation provides far more detailed information than traditional summary reporting, enabling more sophisticated analysis of crime patterns, victim characteristics, and offender behavior. This enhanced data collection supports evidence-based policy making and more effective resource deployment across the Commonwealth. The 394 participating agencies now utilize standardized reporting systems that enable real-time data sharing and coordinated response strategies, representing a technological infrastructure that positions Massachusetts as a national leader in crime data management.
Future Outlook for Crime Statistics in Massachusetts 2025
Crime trends projections for Massachusetts 2025 suggest continued improvement based on current data patterns and sustained public safety investments. The consistent downward trends in most crime categories, combined with enhanced reporting and community-based prevention strategies, indicate that Massachusetts may continue to see reductions in overall crime rates throughout 2025. The -4.4% decline in Part One crimes and -6.5% decrease in total NIBRS offenses provide a strong foundation for optimistic projections, supported by the state’s $45+ million annual investment in evidence-based public safety initiatives.
Long-term crime prevention in Massachusetts focuses on addressing underlying social determinants of crime while maintaining effective law enforcement responses. The state’s approach recognizes that sustainable crime reduction requires comprehensive strategies including education, economic opportunity, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. The evidence-based interventions implemented through the state’s substantial annual investment in public safety initiatives position Massachusetts as a national leader in effective crime prevention and community safety enhancement. With 394 law enforcement agencies participating in detailed reporting, innovative tracking systems for firearm violence, and targeted responses to emerging challenges like hate crimes, Massachusetts continues to set standards for transparent, effective, and community-centered approaches to crime reduction that serve as models for other states nationwide.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
