Connecticut is a state in southern New England with a 2021 population that exceeded 3.6 million and is ranked among the states with the highest per capita income.
Connecticut’s capital, Hartford, situated along the Connecticut River, is among the oldest cities in the country and the Constitution State’s fourth largest city.
Connecticut is the third-smallest state in terms of total area but is fourth in density when one considers its population.
Its coast along the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean offers 300 miles of unique shorelines and towns to visit.
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The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Connecticut
As of 2021, there were 169 cities in Connecticut, which is considered, from an overall perspective, a relatively safe state.
Based on recent crime statistics, the following list of cities includes some of the more dangerous locations in Connecticut.
New Haven (New Haven County)
Population – 135,081 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 6.03 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 32.88 per 1,000 residents.
New Haven is the home to the main campus of Yale University and a city located on the coast between Bridgeport and New London.
The violent crime rate for Connecticut is less than half the national average; however, the crime rate in New Haven is nearly four times the state average.
While the downtown comes alive at night, stay away from some of the rougher parts of Fair Haven and the Hill neighborhoods.
Bridgeport (Fairfield County)
Population – 148,333 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 5.39 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 14.67 per 1,000 residents.
Bridgeport ranks as Nutmeg State’s largest city.
Bridgeport is strategically located on the Long Island Sound as well as the Pequannock River’s mouth.
Like most large urban areas, Bridgeport has its share of crime; however, its rate of violent crimes has become a far worse problem than property crimes.
After dark, the risk of mugging in Bridgeport increases, so be alert and try to avoid traveling at night, especially alone.
Hamden (New Haven County)
Population – 61,422 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 3.89 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 23.54 per 1,000 residents.
Hamden is a smaller city in south-central Connecticut and is home to the Mill River and the Quinnipiac River, which flow to the Long Island Sound.
Both violent and property crime rates in Hamden exceed both the state and national average.
Hamden’s crime per mile is three times the state’s average.
Waterbury (New Haven County)
Population – 113,811 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 3.03 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 29.29 per 1,000 residents.
Waterbury is Connecticut’s second-largest city.
It is situated on the Naugatuck River, about 80 miles north of NYC and 30 southwest of Hartford.
It has primarily been an industrial town, but its location and connections to NYC through Metro North make it a bedroom community as well.
Residents of Waterbury have nearly twice the chance of being a property crime victim than the state average, which happens to fall below the national mean level.
Hartford (Hartford County)
Population – 120,576 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate –4.80 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 21.64 per 1,000 residents.
Hartford, which is among the oldest cities in the United States, was established in 1635 and is home to the oldest newspaper that has been published continuously.
While property crime is above the state average, violent crime is a more serious issue as it is nearly three times the state’s violent crime rate statistic.
In terms of the number of crimes per square mile, Hartford’s rate is approximately 10 times the state average.
New Britain (Hartford County)
Population – 73,841 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 4.06 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 26.35 per 1,000 residents.
New Britain, which is only a few miles to the south of the city and west of the capital city, Hartford, is known as Hardware City because ‘Stanley Black and Decker is headquartered there.
The violent crime rate/statistic in New Britain is 2.5 times that of the state average, and the overall crime per square mile exceeds the state average ninefold.
Meriden (New Haven County)
Population – 60,517 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate –3.59 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 21.08 per 1,000 residents.
Meriden is a small to moderate size city located in north New Haven County.
Meriden is of historical note as it was a stop on Lincoln’s 1860 campaign trail.
Meriden has a high property crime rate but is also among the highest in the category of murders.
Its crimes per square mile statistic is above the state average but among the lowest on this list of dangerous Connecticut cities.
Norwich (New London County)
Population – 40,014 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 3.07 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 15.44 per 1,000 residents.
Norwich is a small city located in the eastern part of the state in New London County.
Norwich’s violent crime data is near twice the state average, and its crime per-mile statistics exceed Connecticut’s state average.
The most dangerous neighborhoods in Norwich are City Centre West, Center City East, and Mile Cross.
New London (New London County)
Population – 27,635 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – 2.79 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 17.95 per 1,000 residents.
New London is a Connecticut seaport city that is situated where the Thames River meets the Long Island Sound.
This smaller city is home to several schools and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Both violent and property crime statistics in New London equal state averages, although the crimes per mile in New London are four times higher than the state average.
Norwalk (Fairfield County)
Population – 91,194 (2021).
Violent Crime Rate – .58 per 1,000 residents.
Property Crime Rate – 12.86 per 1,000 residents.
Norwalk is a moderately large city in Connecticut, located in the northern tier of the state.
It is best known as the site where the Chamber Music Festival is held by Yale’s Summer School of Music.
Norwalk crime rates tend to fall in line with the rest of the state averages, although its crime per square mile is three times the Connecticut crimes per square mile average.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Connecticut
- Research scams for your destination.
With its powerful digital applications, the modern world has also become ripe for scams that target unsuspecting individuals – especially those who are less aware when on vacation. Scams take on all forms, so do some light research before traveling and be mindful of scams that are designed to surprise the target. - Don’t keep your travel plans a secret.
Before you leave on vacation, be certain at least one – or a few people who have a written itinerary should you need to be reached while traveling on vacation. It also helps others have a place to begin to look for you when they have not heard from you and are facing concerns about your safety while traveling. - Carry and hide emergency cash.
If you do get robbed, you don’t want to be complete without any means. Hide some cash in your luggage somewhere to help protect you in the event of an emergency. A little cash could go a long way in a crisis. - Remain alert and vigilant.
The simplest way to avoid becoming a target or victim of thieves in the Constitution State is to NOT look or act like a target. It is best not to wander about, looking confused while reading a map. The best way to avoid being a target for potential thieves in Connecticut is to not behave like one. Don’t wander around with your head on a map trying to find out where you are going. Project confidence, as this will send a message to a would-be-thief that it is best to leave you alone and find another target. - Drive the speed limit as state police monitor speeding throughout the state. Speeding is dangerous and against the law. Pay attention to posted speed limits which may change based on the road and location.
Connecticut Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Connecticut Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the coastline in Connecticut?
Connecticut has nearly 100 miles of coastline along the Long Island Sound as well as the Atlantic Ocean.
However, Connecticut’s beaches tend to be rocky and not the sandy type one expects.
Can you visit Connecticut and get around by train?
Connecticut is part of the comprehensive train network, so visiting some of the most engaging attractions is available by train.
Plus, trains are available to visit Boston, Providence, RI, New York, and Washington, DC.
What is a top attraction in Connecticut?
While many Connecticut attractions are worthy of a trip, one of the most popular is located in southern Connecticut along the Long Island Sound.
This attraction is the nation’s largest maritime museum an near the funky downtown and Mystic Aquarium.
It’s worth nothing that safety conditions can vary greatly within cities, and being informed about specific neighborhoods is essential when living in or visiting these areas.
These lists help highlight areas that require attention and resources to improve safety, making them an important conversation starter for the community.