Is Hammonton Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Hammonton, New Jersey, is the “Blueberry Capital of the World,” centered right between Philadelphia and Atlantic City in the Heartland of New Jersey.

This town is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of history, contemporary delights, and a warm small-town charm.

The downtown has been noted for its hipster vibe and growing food scene.

Hammonton has been around since the early 19th century when the arrival of the railroad transformed it into a bustling center of commerce and agriculture.

Strolling through the Hammonton Historic District feels like taking a step back in time with its well-preserved Victorian and Italianate-style homes.

Summer is blueberry season, and even if you’re just driving by, you shouldn’t miss a chance to take part in the blueberry picking.

Hammonton has also made a name for itself with grape and the wine industry.

Several wineries are in this region, offering unique options and great views to sip the day away before returning to the hip downtown events at night.

Within the nearby Wharton State Forest, you can explore stunning trails, camp under the stars, and explore the history of glassmaking in this part of New Jersey.

There’s a ghost town (and ghost racetrack, for that matter) in the nearby Hammonton Creek Wildlife Management Area.

If you research Amatol Ghost Town, you might just be intrigued enough to take an adventure into the woods.

From Seaside Heights down to the tip of Cape May, the best beaches of Jersey are waiting within an hour’s drive.

Warnings & Dangers in Hammonton

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Hammonton with an engaged community and a vibrant downtown. The outdoor options are plentiful too. It's a great family-friendly spot.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

NJ Transit gets you to and from the major cities. You can use taxis or rideshares in town. The airports will have plenty of rental cars available as well. All options are low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk, with common sense and basic safety steps going a long way. You'll want to use extra caution during big festivals, but it's nothing that should cause you to reconsider a trip here.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The area can get hit hard by the remnants of hurricanes or tropical storms from June through November. Severe weather can happen any time of year, and winter storms can drop a foot of snow in one storm. There's a medium risk just to keep you weather-aware.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Since 2012, there haven't been more than seven robberies in a year, making a low risk in Hammonton.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is another low risk, but you're in between two larger cities that could be more major targets. The latest Terrorism Advisory Bulletin is always available on the Homeland Security website.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The Hammonton police chief released an update of the most common scams in early 2023. Nothing was out of the ordinary, and most targeted residents. However, anyone who is trying to distract you or pressure you into spending money is likely a scammer.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low-risk as a family-friendly and tight-knit community. You still want to stay aware of your surroundings, but this is one of the safer parts of the state.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2022 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations. Any water quality issues that are more time sensitive would be issued by the city on social media.

Safest Places to Visit in Hammonton

Hammonton.com has a list of things to do in the town and the region.

You can also check out Downtown Hammonton’s website for places to visit and activities in the central part of the town.

Be sure to pay special attention to the local events.

There are many of them throughout the year, like food truck festivals and holiday events.

When you’re in the “Blueberry Capital of the World,” you should definitely pick some blueberries.

During the blueberry season (typically June to August), you can visit local farms, such as Hammonton’s Farmers Market or nearby Blueberry Hill Farm, and pick your own fresh blueberries.

Take a stroll through the Hammonton Historic District and admire the beautiful Victorian and Italianate-style homes dating back to the late 19th century.

The downtown area is one of the “hippest” in the state and blends history with trends in an evolving landscape of food, shopping and art.

Explore the historic Batsto Village, which showcases life in the 19th century with its preserved buildings, including a mansion, sawmill, and general store.

You can take a guided tour or walk the self-guided trails.

Hammonton is part of the Outer Coastal Plain American Viticultural Area, known for its wineries.

Visit one of the local wineries, such as Sharrott Winery or Tomasello Winery, for wine tastings, tours, and scenic vineyard views.

The town is also known for its extensive array of breweries.

Places like Three 3’s Brewing allow you to bring your own food while you sample the newest brews on tap.

Explore the nearby Wharton State Forest, New Jersey’s largest state forest.

It offers numerous outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

You can also visit the historic Atsion Recreation Area within the forest.

Places to Avoid in Hammonton

There aren’t bad neighborhoods or parts of town to avoid in Hammonton.

In fact, the biggest complaint from people who live there is that there isn’t much going on.

Of course, they are used to having all the amenities that will be new to you.

One thing to avoid is planning a trip to a beach that requires a beach sticker unless you plan to go through the process to get one.

The free beaches are in the following:

• Atlantic City
• Wildwood
• Wildwood Crest
• North Wildwood
• Corson’s Inlet State Park (with entrance fee)
• Strathmere

NOTE: Please check your preferred beach above to confirm that it is still free, as the communities can change the rules after this publication date.

This area is also in a flood plain, so always avoid any standing or rising water on roadways.

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

Even if the water doesn’t seem that deep, there’s always the risk the road below has been washed away.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Hammonton

So... How Safe Is Hammonton Really?

The latest official crime data from Hammonton is from 2020.

Even at a 10-year crime high, the violent crime rate was still 60% lower than the national average.

Thefts were 30% lower than the national average.

Even doing an exhaustive search of recent news stories, there isn’t much that makes Hammonton stand out from a safety perspective other than a lack of details, which is seemingly a good thing.

There are no major headlines or crime sprees to note.

Of course, there’s also a lack of transparency without ongoing social media posts and updates from the police department.

I did scroll through each incident reported on the crime map, which does have limited input abilities, but in 2022, here’s what came up:

• Vandalism: 33 incidents
• Burglary: 2
• Larceny: 4
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 10
• Robbery: 3 (two businesses)
• Arson: 1

Overall, there’s nothing in the crime data or news reports that show Hammonton is anything but a safe town that’s growing into an even more charming place to visit.

How Does Hammonton Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

International guests should first check to see if they are from a country included in the Visa Waiver Program list. From there, you can see the requirements to be eligible for a less than 90-day trip to the U.S. without a visa. Otherwise, you'll need to go through the standard visa process. Of course, you'll need a passport too.

Currency

Exchange your currency to the U.S. Dollar before you leave home to get the lowest rates. Otherwise, both Atlantic City and Philadelphia's airports have Travelex currency exchange.

Weather

You'll get four robust seasons here. Plan for a lot of outdoor time in any season, so layer up accordingly. Also, summers will be humid. Wear light-colored, loose clothing and comfortable walking shoes. August is the rainiest month. Always check the 10-day forecast before you go to help pack appropriately.

Airports

Since you're right in between AC and Philly, you can choose either one. Philly is 38 miles away, but you'll sit in a lot of traffic. AC is just 20 miles away with a direct route. However, Philadelphia is a bigger airport.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance just makes sense in an area where so much severe or winter weather can impact travel plans.

Hammonton Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

New Jersey - Safety by City