Is Boonton Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Boonton, New Jersey, is a historical town on the Rockaway River.

Its slogan is “Small Town.

Big Heart,” yet it’s just 35 miles from New York City.

The town has an incredible history that shaped industry, aviation, and slavery abolition.

In fact, you can’t even visit the original Boonton without going to the bottom of the nearby Boonton Reservoir.

It became the first chlorinated water supply in the country.

Boonton is a town neighboring Boonton Township.

They are separate entities, with the town having a historic district and the township being more rural and residential.

NOTE:

You’ll find this is common in New Jersey that there will be a town/city with a name and then a township with the same name.

The town/city and township are either border towns or one circles the other.

Main Street in Boonton is downright charming.

It is a long stretch of road with historic buildings, shops, and restaurants lining the way.

The age of the historic district shows, but don’t let that distract you from the elements within.

Boonton Falls is one of the best waterfalls you’ll see bordering a town and doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

Whether you’re visiting for a day or just driving through, a stop at the falls will be well worth your time.

Warnings & Dangers in Boonton

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk on both Boontons. Crime rates are low, and there are a lot of family-friendly and safe places to explore.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

NJ Transit has a Boonton station. Taxis and rideshares are easy to find. Rental cars are readily available at airports or vendors in town. All options have a low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Just three pickpockets or purse snatchings have been reported between both towns over the past five years. That's a low risk, but your smart safety precautions will keep the risk low.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

You'll need to treat this as a medium risk due to the potential for flooding, severe weather, hurricanes, nor'easters, and winter storms. It's as simple as staying weather aware and taking necessary precautions when bad weather is approaching.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here, with just a handful of robberies each year, most of which are in private homes. A bank robbery has also been reported in the past few years.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There's a low risk that Boonton would be a target, but any city this close to New York City should always be on alert. You can check the latest Terrorism Advisory Bulletin anytime on the Homeland Security website.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Scams here are mostly targeted at residents, so there's a low risk. However, don't let the charm of this town give you a false sense of safety. Avoid panhandlers or anyone promising a deal that seems too good to be true.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Nothing in the crime data suggests women are at any greater risk than men when visiting Boonton. The risk is low, but use all the standard precautions you would as a tourist in any city.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows two violations. One was a reporting error, and the other was connected to turbidity, which doesn't have any adverse health effects on its own. It's more important to check local media and government websites when you visit to see if there are boil orders or flooding impacts on tap water. If you're staying at an older hotel or home, let the tap water run for two minutes to clean out any debris from the stagnant faucet.

Safest Places to Visit in Boonton

MorrisTourism.org is the official tourism website for Morris County, which includes Boonton and Boonton Township.

You can download a free visitor’s guide with one click, and no personal information is required.

Learn more about the historic district at BoontonMainStreet.org.

The Boonton Historical Museum is a great place to start.

Here you can learn about Boonton’s pivotal role in the Underground Railroad and its influence on aviation and industry during the adolescence of America.

Guided tours are offered throughout the year.

You can also take a self-guided walking tour of the historical area, including two Octagon Homes from the 1850s.

The Boonton Opera House should also be on your list of places to see.

Explore the works of local artists at the Speakeasy Art Gallery or shop for a new print to take home.

There are even art classes available for kids and adults.

You can be a farmer’s market in the Garden State will be worth your time, and it’s a great addition to a downtown Boonton visit on Saturdays from June through November.

At Grace Lord Park, walk the pathway along the river and soak in the sights and sounds of the falls on Rockaway River.

Informational panels line the route to learn the history and evolution of this town.

Check for events at the Sheep Hill Astronomical Association to get incredible views of the night skies.

Tourne County Park is right next door in Denville, and among the nearly 11 miles of hiking trails is a scenic view of the New York City skyline.

This is a four-season destination that offers sledding and cross-country skiing trails in the winter and beautiful wildflowers in spring.

You simply must see the Boonton Falls, with the best season being late spring and early summer.

The falls drop 25 feet into a gorge that also has a walking trail.

One of the most prominent parts of the falls (other than the falls) is the Stone Arch Bridge, built in 1866.

In Boonton Township, visit Brookhollow’s Barnyard for tractor rides, mini-train rides, goat yoga, and a petting zoo.

Places to Avoid in Boonton

You don’t have to worry about bad parts of town or dangerous neighborhoods in Boonton or Boonton Township.

While you should always stick to main roads and avoid cutting through neighborhoods, you’re not going to end up in a place where it’s too dangerous to be.

I’ve written dozens of articles about waterfall safety in my career, but I never feel like I’m *really getting the message through about how dangerous these beautiful locations can be.

Officials warn, “Do not approach the rocks — they are often slippery.

Unfortunately, every few years, youngsters try to swim in the maelstrom, and several have drowned.”

In 2021, a mother drowned trying to save her 11-year-old son, who also drowned.

The woman’s 6-year-old son watched it happen.

Whether it’s snow and ice or just slippery rocks, there’s no reason to climb or walk on the waterfall.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Boonton

So... How Safe Is Boonton Really?

Once I saw that Boonton had more updated and detailed data than other New Jersey cities, I didn’t even have to look at the specifics to know this is one of the safer cities in New Jersey.

Of course, I did look at the specifics.

Boonton hasn’t seen more than 11 violent crimes in a year since 2011.

Boonton Township was at seven or fewer in the past decade.

Larceny rates are low, but the two largest categories are shoplifting and car break-ins.

Even trying to find big news headlines that would impact a visitor isn’t easy.

There was domestic murder that shocked the community and several accidents involving people who died near the river or in lakes.

This just isn’t part of New Jersey where crime is widespread, and you should have no reservations about visiting here.

Of course, this information doesn’t hold up for all of New Jersey, which is why it’s important to read reviews of each New Jersey town you’ll visit.

Crime rates will go up exponentially in Newark.

How Does Boonton Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

A visa is required to enter the country unless you qualify for a visa waiver. A list of those countries is on the U.S. State Department website. You will also need a passport that isn't within six months of expiring.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the only currency you can use in America. I would recommend taking care of that at home or at the airport since Boonton is a small town. Using a credit card will always offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

You'll be close to a lot of parks and outdoor preserves, so bring hiking boots and clothing that can get dirty and sweaty. It will be humid here in the summer. Winter outdoor lovers should bring all their cold weather accessories as it can be snowy and cold here. You'll also want bug spray and sunscreen. Other than that, with four distinct seasons, you can pack accordingly.

Airports

Newark Liberty Airport is closest at just 27 miles away from Boonton. You can also get to LaGuardia or JFK. They are each about 50 miles away. Plan extra travel time for traffic.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance just makes sense in a location that is so prone to winter or severe weather.

Boonton Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

New Jersey - Safety by City