Is Hamilton Township Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Hamilton Township in Mercer County, New Jersey, is a suburb of the Trenton area and tucked between New York City and Philadelphia.

This township is filled with many different sub-towns and neighborhoods but lacks a central part like a downtown.

It’s rich with parks, history, and gardens.

In spring, you can smell the blooms in the air.

It’s also just 10 miles from the Ivy League Princeton University.

The area exudes history with Revolutionary War sites dotting the landscape, but still making this township feel like home.

Fully exploring Hamilton takes you through many eras of American History and the modern amenities required to compete with such big cities nearby.

The cultural melting pot of the community is reflected in its art and cuisine.

Visiting Hamilton Township is an exciting adventure, but there are stark differences between this town and nearby Trenton.

NOTE:

Hamilton Township is in Mercer County and should not be confused with the other Hamilton Township, 56 miles away in Atlantic County.

Warnings & Dangers in Hamilton Township

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low overall risk here, but that only goes for this particular township. Trenton is a whole different story.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You can use NJ Transit to get around, call a taxi or rideshare, or get a rental car. All options are low-risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, with an average of four pickpockets or purse snatchings a year. Shoplifting is the biggest theft category.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Treat this as a medium risk because devastating weather can happen any time of year. Hurricanes, nor'easters, and winter storms are the main risks, with flash flooding being an issue after periods of heavy rain.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, but not low enough to let your guard down. The robbery rate is about half the national average.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Being so close to major cities, you have to go into it with the assumption of medium risk. Hamilton wouldn't be a likely target. You can always check terrorism concerns through eh Terrorism Advisory Bulletin issued throughout the year by Homeland Security.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

You should check local law enforcement websites and the Mercer County Consumer Affairs website for the most recent scams. While most of the common ones are targeted residents, you should avoid any deal that seems too good to be true.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low risk within the township, but Trenton is definitely a medium risk.

TAP WATER RISK: MEDIUM

I would strongly recommend you don't drink the water here. The water supply here has so many issues that the state took over Trenton Water Works operations, stating, "Based on the DEP assessment, there are significant public health and safety concerns that need to be addressed by TWW and the City of Trenton." One of the hardest hit areas is Hamilton Township, with an outbreak of Legionnaires disease from the water. Visit https://dep.nj.gov/trentonwater to learn more about progress before your visit. Despite the potential risks, the water management agency stated, "We want to set the record straight: our drinking water is safe and, day by day, we are working to make it safer. The health of our customers and residents is our primary concern."

Safest Places to Visit in Hamilton Township

VisitPrinceton.org is the official tourism site offered by the Visit Princeton-Mercer Convention and Visitors Bureau.

You can download a free tourism guide without having to give personal information, which is always a cyber safety victory in my book.

As a nice bonus, there’s an online map that details the places mentioned in the guide.

You can see what’s nearby and what will require a longer drive.

Hamilton Township is huge.

It has several villages within its boundaries and then dozens of unincorporated communities within.

You might be in the township but visiting Hamilton Square or Mercerville, for example.

Most of the hotels are located along Robbinsville Road/Highway 130.

Sayen House & Gardens was built in 1912, and the blooms represent the international travel bug of the original owner.

You’ll be able to tour the museum on site and roam the gardens with influence from China, Japan, and England.

This is a great place for family photos.

The gardens are famous for their azaleas.

Grounds For Sculpture is a renowned sculpture park and museum located across more than 40 acres.

It features over 300 contemporary sculptures exhibited amidst beautifully landscaped gardens.

Time tickets are required, so purchase those in advance.

The exhibits are rotating all the time, so it’s never the same experience twice.

For my travel money, I’d visit the Kuser Farm Mansion.

It’s a Queen Anne-style home that was once the “country home” for a prominent businessman and his family.

Tours are available from March through October on weekends.

With nearly three dozen parks to visit in the township, Veteran’s Park is by far the largest.

There are trails, a pond, and sports fields with playgrounds throughout.

A war memorial is included on the east side.

Be sure to check for ticks after a visit here from spring through fall.

Mercer Lake is another outdoor treasure in this county, with prestigious waters that train the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team.

This is a popular fishing spot and recreational paddle area, but don’t swim in the water.

You’re also just 10 miles from Princeton, where you can walk to the Ivy League University or explore the shops in the charming town.

There are a lot of historic places to visit there.

Just be careful at pedestrian crossings.

The city ramping up pedestrian safety events after nearly 50 people were hit between 2019 and 2022, and 37 bicyclists were injured.

Places to Avoid in Hamilton Township

Hamilton Township doesn’t have neighborhoods that are too dangerous to visit, but the closer you get to Trenton, the higher the risk will be.

Once you cross over Olden Avenue, you’ll be heading to a more dangerous part of the town.

It’s best to put gas in the car and grab a coffee in Hamilton instead of waiting until you get to Trenton.

There’s a QuickChek store at Olden and Cedar that was the sight of two violent attacks after verbal fights in 2023.

In one incident, a person was shot multiple times.

In another, a man pulled out a machete and attacked.

The store was also the target of an armed robbery.

Maybe avoid that place.

At best, it has bad luck.

For every time I feel silly reminding people to avoid driving through a flooded street, there’s a new video showing people driving through a flooded street.

It only takes six inches of water to carry a car away or knock a person over.

Even though Hamilton is 35 miles from the shore, it can still take the brunt of a hurricane or nor’easter.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Hamilton Township

So... How Safe Is Hamilton Township Really?

We could slice and dice all the crime data through 2021, but the question you’re really wanting to know is if Hamilton is safer than Trenton.

That answer is a resounding YES!

The violent crime rate is 40% lower than the national average and more than four times lower than Trenton.

More than half of violent crimes happen in private homes, but this is still not a city where you can let your guard down.

Thefts have been on a steady decline since 2018.

At the same time, New Jersey is seeing a rash of car thefts statewide, so don’t leave your car unlocked or any personal items inside.

Even across all the different neighborhoods, there’s not a place that is more dangerous than another, other than the concerns that start closer to Trenton.

The quaintness of this community shouldn’t erase the proximity to high-crime cities like New York and Philadelphia nearby.

As much as this feels like a more rural area, it’s still a dense suburb, just spread out more so than other suburbs.

As long as you realize the crime risks increase once you leave the township and use common sense, you’ll have a great time in Hamilton Township.

How Does Hamilton Township Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

International guests will go through Customs and Border Patrol at the airport or port of entry. A passport and visa or visa waiver will be required. You can start that process on the U.S. State Department website for the latest updates.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar can be used here. Your home bank will have the best currency exchange rates. Philadelphia's airport also has six currency exchange locations throughout the terminals.

Weather

You'll need to bulk up in winter. Bring snow boots and an insulated coat. Your spring or fall travel bags should have layers of clothing. Summers will be warm and humid. Bring sunscreen and bug spray.

Airports

Philadelphia International Airport is 50 miles south. Newark's airport is 50 miles in the other direction. LaGuardia or JFK in New York will be about 70 miles, but you'll have a lot of traffic, so plan extra time.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance might cost a little more, but it's worry-free protection against any incident. Be sure you have coverage for acts of nature, like hurricanes or winter storms.

Hamilton Township Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

New Jersey - Safety by City