The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In New Hampshire


The most dangerous places in New Hampshire are Manchester and Berlin for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Most dangerous cities in New Hampshire research summary. We analyzed the most recent FBI crime data using Saturday Night Science to determine the most dangerous cities in New Hampshire.

We examined the violent and property crime per capita statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. In total, we analyzed 73 New Hampshire cities. Here are the results of our analysis:

  • The most dangerous city in New Hampshire is Manchester based on the most recent FBI crime data.

  • The violent crime rate in New Hampshire is 411 per 100k people.

  • The property crime rate in New Hampshire is 2,489 per 100k people.

  • The safest city in New Hampshire is Rye.

  • New Hampshire is the 50th most dangerous state in the United States.

Most Dangerous Cities In New Hampshire Map


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Methodology | FAQs | References


You may want to avoid some of the most dangerous places to live in New Hampshire when you’re planning your next move.

New Hampshire has some pretty dangerous places, and we’re here to tell you where those places are.

How’d we do it? We used Saturday Night Science to analyze the FBI’s latest crime report for violent crime and property crime statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. We discovered that although New Hampshire’s overall violent and property crime numbers are safer than the national average, the crime rates in the most dangerous places in New Hampshire could be better.

The Most Dangerous Cities In New Hampshire For 2024

  1. Manchester
  2. Berlin
  3. Claremont
  4. Rochester
  5. Keene
  6. Plymouth
  7. Farmington
  8. Conway
  9. Laconia
  10. Newport

What city is the most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire for 2024? According to the FBI data, the most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire is Manchester.

Those living in New Hampshire’s most dangerous places witness high crime and deal with unemployment, low wages, and a lack of rehabilitation programs. This is shocking
because New Hampshire is one of the wealthiest states in the country.

For more New Hampshire reading, check out:

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In New Hampshire For 2024

Manchester, NH

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 114,650
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 411 (Most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,489 (Second most dangerous)
Murders: 5
More on Manchester: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Compared to the other safe cities in New Hampshire, Manchester is the most dangerous. It is one of the most populous cities in the state, with 114,650 current residents. In 2022, there were 2,381 cases and 2,854, making it a place where your residence or stuff are in danger.

In the state of New Hampshire, Manchester is highest in violent crimes. Its central location along the Merrimack River puts it within an hour or so of Boston, Massachusetts. While it might also have a reputation for small business and successes with new retailers in downtown, its nickname of Queen City underplays the danger of living there.

Berlin, NH

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 9,717
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 185 (Ninth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,770 (Eighth most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Berlin: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Berlin is the second most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire. With a population of 9,717, this city in Coos County has experienced 18 violent crimes, including 3 rapes and 2 robberies. The property crime count stands at 172 incidents, including 13 burglaries.

Located along the Androscoggin River in northern New Hampshire, Berlin is the northernmost city in the state. Despite its scenic surroundings, Berlin has struggled economically, experiencing a decline in population over the years. The city’s history includes industrial challenges, such as bankruptcy filings and mill closures, contributing to higher crime rates.

Claremont, NH

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 13,153
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 167 (14th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,258 (Third most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Claremont: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Claremont, the third most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire, has a concerning crime rate. With a population of 13,153, the city experienced22 incidents, including 7 robberies and 10 aggravated assaults. This puts Claremont at the 14th highest rank for violent crime in the state.

Located in Sullivan County, Claremont is the only city in the county. Historically, it was home to Native American tribes before European settlement. The city was named after Claremont, the country mansion of Thomas Pelham-Holles, Earl of Clare. While Claremont has a rich history, its current crime statistics make it dangerous to live in New Hampshire.

Rochester, NH

Source: Wikipedia User Jon Platek | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 33,098
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 190 (Eighth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,734 (Ninth most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Rochester: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Rochester is the fourth dangerous city in New Hampshire. Although its overall murder rate is low, it has a significant number of property crimes, violent crimes and aggravated assaults. You have a 1 in 52 chance of being involved in a violent or property crime here.

It is so dangerous that it outranks both larger cities and smaller towns in its overall crime rate. In reporting year 2022, Rochester had 63 crimes and 574 crimes in. Not all of this crime is centered downtown.

Located in the southeast part of the state, the Lilac City is one of the largest in New Hampshire. It is located close to the White Mountains.

Keene, NH

Source: Wikipedia User Jon Platek | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 23,271
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 171 (13th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,140 (Fifth most dangerous)
Murders: 1
More on Keene: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Keene, New Hampshire is known for repeating its world record for setting the most jack o lanterns on display at once during New Hampshire’s annual pumpkin festival. However, the city is also known as one of the most dangerous. At the time of this writing, Keene ranks fifth highest for total crime in all of New Hampshire.

Overall, Keene is more dangerous than most of the other cities in New Hampshire, although not that dangerous for the country overall. This college town will still feel safe for the students of the two colleges located there: Keene State College and Antioch University New England. Despite the relative safety risk, there are a lot of things to do in Keene that keep tourists visiting the area, such as Mount Monadnock and the unique Hannah Grimes Marketplace.

Plymouth, NH

Source: Wikipedia User P199 | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 6,658
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 195 (Seventh most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,366 (14th most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Plymouth: Data | Crime

Plymouth ranked as the sixth most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire. With a population of 6,658, this rural town in Grafton County has seen a notable crime rate, including instances of violent crime.

Although Plymouth’s ranking suggests a level of danger, it is important to note that improvements can be made with concentrated efforts. As the economic, medical, commercial, and cultural center for the predominantly rural Plymouth area, this town plays a vital role in the region. The town is home to Plymouth State University, Speare Memorial Hospital, and Plymouth Regional High School.

Farmington, NH

Source: Wikipedia User User:Magicpiano | GFDL

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 6,872
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 363 (Second most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,135 (19th most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Farmington: Data | Crime

Farmington sounds rural. Like, if you were creating a video game for little kids and needed a name for your farming town, you’d probably call it “Farmington.” And yes, the community has a small-town charm today — sporting a population of just 6,872.

But, despite the name, the community actually has something of an industrial past, at one time selling itself as “The Shoe Capital of New Hampshire.” It’s even the birthplace of a vice president of the United States — Henry Wilson, who served under Ulysses S. Grant in the 1870s.

These days? Well, shoe production has mostly moved overseas and the town’s reputation has shifted somewhat. Today, it’s known as the number 7 most dangerous spot in New Hampshire. This comes with a high rate of burglaries and violent crime.

Conway, NH

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 10,334
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 164 (15th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,070 (Sixth most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Conway: Data | Crime

Despite New Hampshire’s reputation for being a safe place to live with your family, Conway might be an exception. Its large tourism industry and seasonal resident population contribute to its growing crime rate, as many of the crimes are committed against out of town visitors. In 2022, Conway ranked number 17 for rapes, 6 for property crimes, and as sixth highest for overall crimes.

It is the most populous community in Carroll County, with around 20% of the county’s population living there. It is located near the White Mountain National Forest and the popular Echo Lake State Park. Visiting climbers like to visit Cathedral Ledge.

Laconia, NH

Source: Wikipedia User FlickreviewR | CC BY 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 17,109
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 146 (20th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,747 (Most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Laconia: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Located near lakes and mountains, the picturesque beauty of Laconia, New Hampshire hides the fact that it is the ninth most dangerous city in the state. With a whopping 470 per year, there is a very large number of property crimes for its relatively small population of 17,109. This makes Laconia #1 in property crimes and #2 in overall crimes for 2024.

While most of the crime is centered in the downtown area and its surroundings, this doesn’t make the other parts of town particularly safe. The town continues to try to clean up its crime rate but it hasn’t been successful. Combined with an overall lack of employment opportunities, you probably won’t find Laconia on our best places to live in New Hampshire list.

Newport, NH

Source: Wikipedia User User:Magicpiano | GFDL

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 6,411
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 202 (Sixth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,247 (17th most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Newport: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Located in Sullivan County, Newport is ranked as the tenth most dangerous place to live in the state. With a population of 6,342, Newport has experienced a concerning level of crime.

While the town’s murder rate remains at 0, the overall crime rate per capita stands at 1,450/100k. This places Newport at a high rank for both violent and property crime, among other places in New Hampshire. However, it is essential to note that with dedicated efforts from law enforcement and community members, there is potential for improvement in Newport’s safety.

Crime By City In New Hampshire

Rank City Population Total Crimes Per 100K Violent Crimes Per 100K Property Crimes Per 100K Murders
1 Manchester 114,650 2,901 411 2,489 5
2 Berlin 9,717 1,955 185 1,770 0
3 Claremont 13,153 2,425 167 2,258 0
4 Rochester 33,098 1,924 190 1,734 0
5 Keene 23,271 2,311 171 2,140 1
6 Plymouth 6,658 1,562 195 1,366 0
7 Farmington 6,872 1,498 363 1,135 0
8 Conway 10,334 2,235 164 2,070 0
9 Laconia 17,109 2,893 146 2,747 0
10 Newport 6,411 1,450 202 1,247 0
11 Lebanon 15,702 1,885 159 1,725 0
12 Seabrook 8,974 2,328 122 2,206 0
13 Portsmouth 22,513 1,430 177 1,252 0
14 Barnstead 5,024 1,134 179 955 0
15 Hillsborough 6,001 1,116 183 933 0
16 Concord 44,305 1,491 137 1,354 3
17 Nashua 91,027 1,226 157 1,068 4
18 Somersworth 12,160 2,105 90 2,014 0
19 Salem 30,712 1,514 94 1,419 0
20 Epping 7,274 1,278 96 1,182 0
21 Pembroke 7,684 754 221 533 0
22 Belmont 7,425 1,616 80 1,535 0
23 Hooksett 15,313 1,044 137 907 1
24 Swanzey 7,468 723 227 495 0
25 Jaffrey 5,495 764 309 454 0
26 Derry 34,290 944 119 825 0
27 Franklin 8,850 1,163 90 1,073 0
28 Meredith 6,786 1,149 88 1,061 0
29 Londonderry 26,340 812 121 690 0
30 Wakefield 6,315 696 158 538 0
31 Raymond 10,996 727 145 582 0
32 Hampton 16,384 860 115 744 0
33 Gilford 7,880 1,484 50 1,434 0
34 Goffstown 18,375 734 92 642 0
35 Henniker 5,870 596 153 442 0
36 Alton 6,054 644 115 528 0
37 Hudson 25,530 857 62 795 1
38 Dover 33,453 1,055 38 1,016 0
39 Exeter 16,155 662 80 581 0
40 Wolfeboro 6,710 700 74 625 0
41 Plaistow 7,856 814 50 763 0
42 Hanover 11,778 602 84 517 0
43 Newmarket 9,417 584 84 499 0
44 Amherst 11,876 858 33 825 0
45 Littleton 6,058 693 33 660 0
46 Peterborough 6,479 493 77 416 0
47 Barrington 9,531 482 62 419 0
48 New Ipswich 5,333 656 18 637 0
49 Loudon 5,781 536 34 501 0
50 Pelham 14,364 584 27 556 0

Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in New Hampshire for 2024?

Every year the FBI release two crime datasets on cities in New Hampshire. First a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in New Hampshire, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.

For our analysis, we focused on the 2022 data, specifically the 2022 Crime In The United States Report for New Hampshire.

So what criteria did we use? Have a look:

  • Violent Crimes Per Capita
  • Property Crimes Per Capita

In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered New Hampshire cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 73 cities in New Hampshire.

We then ranked each city from 1 to 73 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.

Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.

Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in New Hampshire — Manchester. Any ties went to the smaller city.

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. It is our tenth time ranking the most dangerous places to live in New Hampshire and is updated for 2024.

Most Dangerous Places To Live In New Hampshire FAQs

No, New Hampshire is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #1 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in New Hampshire ranks 49th most dangerous in the United States — 60.42% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Granite State ranks 49th most dangerous in the United States — 43.77% better than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022.

No, Manchester is not a dangerous city. Manchester ranks as the #155 safest out of 328 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Manchester might be considered safe you still need to be aware of where you are.

Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Manchester ranks 189th highest in America — 25.62% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 173rd highest in the United States — 8.78% better than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022 and that no city in America is ‘dangerous’. Despite the uptick in murders, it’s nothing like you’d see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.

Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In New Hampshire

Most Dangerous Cities In New Hampshire Graph

Click To Enlarge

Summary: Locking It All Up In New Hampshire

So what is the most dangerous city in New Hampshire? After analyzing 73 cities in New Hampshire, Manchester takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in New Hampshire based on the most recently reported FBI data — 2022.

The latest FBI crime data shows that Manchester ranks as the most dangerous city in New Hampshire for 2024.

The most dangerous cities in New Hampshire are .

We want to point out again that there’s still safes places in Manchester and that this isn’t a comment on the people that live there. So please don’t beat us up.

What city is the most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire for 2024? According to the FBI data, the most dangerous place to live in New Hampshire is Manchester.

Those living in New Hampshire’s most dangerous places witness high crime and deal with unemployment, low wages, and a lack of rehabilitation programs. This is shocking
because New Hampshire is one of the wealthiest states in the country.

Learn more about the safest places in New Hampshire.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.

Here are the safest cities in New Hampshire:

  1. Merrimack (Pop. 27,403)
  2. Auburn (Pop. 6,090)
  3. Sandown (Pop. 6,575)
  4. Kingston (Pop. 6,231)
  5. Nottingham (Pop. 5,281)
  6. Newton (Pop. 5,030)
  7. Hopkinton (Pop. 6,079)
  8. Litchfield (Pop. 8,556)
  9. Stratham (Pop. 7,844)
  10. Rye (Pop. 5,550)

For more New Hampshire reading, check out:

References

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

10 thoughts on “The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In New Hampshire

  1. The only reason my hometown of laconia even registers on this list is the fact that bike week is held here every year. Our population doubles from tourists and everyone gets drunk and stupid.

    1. The biggest reason laconia is on here is because of the drug problem, along with unemployment and lazy people on disability that dont need it. Dont blame bike when most of the crime happens the rest of the year not during bike week.

      1. I live in Meredith N.H. just wondering how many of these crimes happen during bike week and the pond hockey tournament.

    2. Yah okay , Born and raised in Laconia. Crime that happens on “THAT” week is done mostly by the people who live in the area. Dad’s a police officer.

  2. You obviously missed Pittsfield. Property & Violent crime are high due to the fact that when people are released from the NH State Prison and the NH State Hospital, they generally go to Concord, Pembroke (Suncook), Franklin and “Pittsfield”.

  3. “Science”. You mean you plugged values into a spreadsheet and created a scatter chart? Also, why dont you provide the complete table? People might be interested in seeing where their town ranks…

  4. If Seabrook is on the list of the 10 most dangerous cities in NH, why did you put a picture of the former Seabrook Library to illustrate the town? Libraries aren’t supposed to be dangerous!

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