Posted in Massachusetts Need To Know July 16, 2022 by

Here Are The 10 Most Dangerous Places In Massachusetts After Dark

There are certain places that you just avoid after dark. Every state has areas known as the most dangerous places, and Massachusetts is no exception. To determine the most dangerous places in Massachusetts, we focused on rates of violent crime over property crime for this list. However, a combination of crime statistics were considered, such as violent crime (including rape), arson, property crime and theft. Poverty rates were also factored into the rankings. All data used is from the most recent FBI Crime Report.

Please note: this list is for general interest purposes only. There are beautiful and valuable spots in all of these cities!

1. Holyoke
John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
This city ranked #1 in terms of crime across the board when it comes to looking for places to avoid in Massachusetts. You have a 1 in 15 chance of being the victim of any crime in Holyoke. Residents also have a 1 in 100 chance of being attacked, raped or killed for each year that they stay in Holyoke. That's pretty horrifying. The city also includes woods that do no less than send a chill down your spine, like Eyrie House Ruins. Take a hike away from downtown Holyoke and into the woods to take a look for yourself.
Holyoke, MA, USA
2. Chelsea
Wikimedia Commons
Chelsea may be the smallest city in the state, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. You have a 1 in 18 chance of being the victim of a crime in Chelsea, which is pretty scary considering the entire city is only 2.5 square miles in area. There were 250 aggravated assaults in Chelsea in 2013.
Chelsea, MA 02150, USA
3. Brockton
John Phelan, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Your chances of being a victim of violent crime in Brockton are just over 3 in 250. Brockton was the site of nine murders, 87 rapes and 838 violent assaults in 2014.
Brockton, MA, USA
4. New Bedford
Wikimedia Commons
As with all larger cities, parts of New Bedford have a reputation for being a bit sketchy after dark. There were 1,039 violent crimes here in 2013, including six murders, 100 rapes, 256 robberies and 677 violent assaults. There were also 20 reports of arson, which is much higher than in surrounding areas.
New Bedford, MA, USA
5. Springfield
Flickr/MOTT
Springfield comes in 5th on our list with a lower assault rate than some other cities, but a much higher murder rate than most: there were 22 murders in Springfield in 2013. Your chances of being the victim of a robbery, arson or theft are also pretty high in this area. The odds are 1 out of 21, making Springfield a dangerous place to avoid in Massachusetts.
Springfield, MA, USA
6. Fall River
Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Fall River is a beautiful city, but safety here can go downhill after dark. In 2013, there were 73 rapes and 225 robberies in Fall River. There were also 646 reported cases of aggravated assault. Unemployment hovers around 12%, which certainly doesn’t help.
Fall River, MA, USA
7. Lawrence
John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Lawrence has the second highest high school dropout rate in the state, with 4 out of 10 students failing to get their diplomas. This is thought to contribute to the high crime rate that plagues the city and its place as one of the dangerous cities in Massachusetts. There were 776 violent crimes in 2013, with 473 aggravated assaults.
Lawrence, MA, USA
8. North Adams
Flickr/Tyson Luneau
The town of North Adams may be an unlikely addition to this list, but its low population (about 13,500 people) belies its comparatively high crime rate. In 2013, there were two murders, 21 rapes, eight robberies and 103 aggravated assaults. Top that off with 175 reported burglaries. North Adams also has the lowest housing prices in the state, which may understandable given the above statistics.
North Adams, MA 01247, USA
9. Worcester
Terageorge, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Worcester is a pretty big place with a population that comes around 183,400. Even given its size, however, Worcester can still be a little scary after dark and one of the dangerous places to avoid in Massachusetts. There were 1,750 total reported violent crimes in 2013, which included nine murders, 22 rapes, 483 robberies and a staggering 1,236 aggravated assaults.
Worcester, MA, USA
10. Lynn
Flickr/maliciousmonkey
Lynn has a bit of a reputation for crime, though things have been improving over the last decade. However, it still ranks as one of the most dangerous cities to wander after sundown. There were two murders in Lynn in 2013, as well as 39 rapes, 189 robberies and 584 aggravated assaults.
Lynn, MA, USA

In recent years, cities and towns in Massachusetts has seen a decline in serious crimes across the state, and some point to a faster fall in crime in the state compared to the United States as a whole. This is good news for both locals and tourists, as there is much more to the state than crime.

If you’d rather not dwell on the negative, there are some wonderful places to live in Massachusetts.

Address: Chelsea, MA 02150, USA
Address: New Bedford, MA, USA
Address: Springfield, MA, USA
Address: Lynn, MA, USA
Address: North Adams, MA 01247, USA
Address: Holyoke, MA, USA
Address: Brockton, MA, USA
Address: Fall River, MA, USA
Address: Lawrence, MA, USA
Address: Worcester, MA, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

most dangerous places in Massachusetts

July 21, 2022
Christina Arrascaeta

What are the worst things about living in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is a popular state located in the northeastern part of the United States. During the winters, the state is known to be a magnet for dangerous nor’easters. On average, about 51 inches of snow amasses in Massachusetts each year, making it the eight-snowiest state in the country and not ideal for those who are not accustomed to long and harsh winters. Also, from a financial perspective, the state has a higher-than-average cost of living with it being 127.2 overall.

What is Massachusetts known for?

Massachusetts is known for being the home to many colleges and universities, including some of the top in the nation. The state is also known for its popular baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. Boston is the most popular city in the state, drawing tourists from around the world to renowned museums and historic attractions.

Is Massachusetts a great place to live?

According to a 2021 report by Wallethub.com, Massachusetts is the second-best state to live in. Based on affordability, economy, education and health, and the overall quality of life, the state scored a 62.60, above New York but lower than New Jersey. When it comes to affordability, the state falls short as the median home price reaches around half a million dollars.

Address: Chelsea, MA 02150, USA
Address: New Bedford, MA, USA
Address: Springfield, MA, USA
Address: Lynn, MA, USA
Address: North Adams, MA 01247, USA
Address: Holyoke, MA, USA
Address: Brockton, MA, USA
Address: Fall River, MA, USA
Address: Lawrence, MA, USA
Address: Worcester, MA, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.