Is Greenwich Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

The upscale community of Greenwich, Connecticut, is a place where the rich come to play or live a luxurious life outside of the hustle in New York City.

This area is known as “The Gold Coast” of Connecticut.

While most seafront cities dedicate their shorelines to tourism, Greenwich does no such thing.

Most of the shoreline is taken up by incredible mansions in private neighborhoods tourists can only see by boat.

There are some public beaches I found for you, so don’t give up your beach dreams in seaside Connecticut.

There are a wide variety of dining and shopping options in Greenwich, including Greenwich Avenue, which is considered the “Rodeo Drive of the East Coast.”

You won’t find Old Navy on this prestigious road as it is more for Hermes couture.

This is a town so particular about things that even “For Sale” signs are banned from being placed in yards because it’s believed they ruin the aesthetics of the neighborhoods.

If this name rings a bell to you True Crime fans, it’s no wonder why.

This is where Martha Moxley was killed in 1974 – a case that has gone global for people fascinated with the details and the Kennedy family connection.

Be sure to put “Connecticut” on your “Greenwich” search, as this is not the only Greenwich in the world and a lot of other options, like in England and New York, might pop up.

For those who don’t already know, Greenwich is pronounced “grehn-ITCH” not “GREEN-witch”.

Warnings & Dangers in Greenwich

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's an extraordinarily low risk here. It's a community where the average home price is nearly $1.4 million with most communities being gated with security. The only downside to the low crime numbers for a tourist is that there will be a lot of places you can't go to unless you have friends or family in the area.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Norwalk Transit is the bus service in town. You'll ride the Metro-North rail line to get to New York City and back. There are taxis and rideshares too, and some water shuttles to get you to islands or beach areas.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk. Just one pickpocket was reported in 2020.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here but that doesn't mean there aren't any risks. The area is used to cold winters with about 30 inches of snow a year. A hurricane or tropical storm can make its way up the coast and hit there. During hurricane season from June through November the risk might be closer to medium, but you'll have plenty of warning if a storm is on the way.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Only one of the six robberies in Greenwich was against a stranger in 2020, so there's another very low-risk category.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Due to the proximity to New York City, it's a medium risk here. Any of the large cities on the Eastern Seaboard could be at risk of an attack and Greenwich would have a ripple effect of people escaping or looking for help.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk of a scam here. The most-reported scams are the typical ones against locals, like someone calling to tell a grandma their grandson needs money.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women aren't only safe here, they will be in retail heaven. This is the lap of luxury items. There were eight violent crimes in 2020 and only one was against a stranger and only 1/3 were against women.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The water here is safe and meets or exceeds all standards of the EPA and Connecticut law.

Safest Places to Visit in Greenwich

I’m going to share safe places to visit that are open to the public and none of the private properties.

You’d have to know someone to get into many places anyway, and I’m sure they could give you all the details of their yacht club or whatnot.

Island Beach is a couple of miles south of the harbor and has a ferry service in the summer.

Greenwich Point Park is another place visitors can get into and, from November 1 through April 30, it’s free to enter.

Great Captain’s Island is going to require a boat or ferry trip to get to it but it’s worth the ride.

The landscape here is largely untouched and there’s a regal lighthouse for exploring as well.

In town, check out Greenwich Avenue for some high-end retail therapy, even if you’re just window shopping.

There is everything from a Starbucks to a fine dining option on this road as well.

There are so many historical places in and around Greenwich, but one of the top draws is the Bush-Holley House.

The home was built in the 1730s and is open for tours free with admission to the Historical Society Museum.

When you get to town, ask for a driving map of the most beautiful mansions.

There are road trips you can take to see some of the best housing America offers.

Just be sure you don’t go through a security gate.

Stick to the mansions on public roads.

Places to Avoid in Greenwich

Crime maps show the majority of crimes happen north of the I-95 corridor to Highway 101.

Remember, this is a city with only eight violent crimes, so the “dangerous” parts of town are sometimes safer than someone’s backyard.

(Joking, but not really.)

It’s important to know that Connecticut residents get a lot of discounts on some parking and park access points.

Don’t lie about being from somewhere else, you will need proof of being a Connecticut resident.

Even the CT license plate on a rental car isn’t enough to get park access at a resident rate.

This is a rich, pretentious town where people like to boast and brag about money.

If you’re wealthy, don’t get into a money battle with a local.

They’re very particular here about new money vs old money.

Just keep your finances to yourself.

People here will be dressed up even while running everyday chores.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid dressing as casually as you want, but you might get some snooty looks if you do.

I don’t let that bother me and you shouldn’t either, but for some people, it’s important to blend in with the crowd.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Greenwich

So... How Safe Is Greenwich Really?

It’s one of the safest cities in the country.

Several times in the past decade, it has ranked as America’s safest city.

The wealth of this city infuses some of the best public services available.

There’s no public housing or dangerous neighborhoods here.

There have only been three homicides in this city since 2010 and none of those were in 2020.

The city has had fewer robberies in the past decade than nearby Bridgeport had in all of 2021.

There were 110 motor vehicle thefts in Greenwich in 2020.

You still want to lock your car and remove your belongings.

Though I’m not sure your 2019 Honda CRV rental is going to be the first car chosen to steal in this luxurious town.

How Does Greenwich Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

The Visa requirements are handled at the airport. You won't need anything else to get into Connecticut.

Currency

You will use the U.S. Dollar here and everything can be paid for by credit card. Especially if you're buying luxury items on Greenwich Avenue, you want to back up the purchase with the protection of your credit card instead of a debit card or cash. (You STILL should not walk around with large sums of cash easily seen.)

Weather

All four seasons make Connecticut a popular place for different reasons during different times of the year. Fall is a great time to see the foliage turn, but you'll want to bring a coat for a potential cold snap. In winter you'll need all the layers and probably some snow boots. Summer is warm but not too hot. The average high is 84°(F). Lows in the 60s with a breeze of the ocean will mean you'll still want to bring a shawl or jacket.

Airports

The biggest and best choices are the New York City airports, like JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. They are all less than an hour's drive or train ride away.

Travel Insurance

The rich and famous can't control the weather, and that's why travel insurance is a good idea for Greenwich, especially in the snowy winter months.

Greenwich Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Connecticut - Safety by City