Is Lambertville Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Lambertville, New Jersey, is an idyllic riverside community at the Pennsylvania border on the outskirts of the Philadelphia metro area.

It’s known as the “Antiquing Capital of New Jersey,” and as someone who visited this town at the peak of fall foliage, I can tell you it’s outright stunning that time of year.

The Delaware River separates the states with the equally charming town of New Hope, Pennsylvania, across the way.

In the early days, this was an industrial and transportation boomtown, being the final stop on the road that connected Philadelphia and New York City.

After the industrial revolution, Lambertville struggled but reemerged as a funky, hip art town with charm and sophistication wrapped in a pastoral setting that is unmatched.

The town is home to 4,100 people with an average age of 51.

Fair warning, however, since the town is bursting at the seams on busy weekends throughout the year, especially in fall and summer.

It’s easy to escape the crowds and travel the countryside to see where George Washington crossed the Delaware River or explore many of the covered bridges throughout the region.

Warnings & Dangers in Lambertville

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here with low crime rates and so many things to do. It's also surrounded by more safe towns.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You have a mix of transportation options to get to and from Lambertville and around town. NJ Transit, SEPTA (Pennsylvania) and Hunterdon County LINK are three options to explore. Taxis and rideshares will be easy to find. Having a rental car really opens the options to explore the scenic routes in this beautiful region.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but the potential is there with big weekend crowds. Limit what you carry and have a plan for storage and shipping ahead of time if you'll be antique shopping.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

This is a medium risk due to the potential every month of the year. Hurricanes that move onshore can drop insane amounts of rain. Nor'easters can cause severe or winter storms. Severe thunderstorms can spawn tornadoes, though they aren't as common here as in other parts of the country.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Lambertville hasn't had a robbery since 2017, as of the official crime data from 2022. The risk is low.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is another low risk. As much as this is a tourist destination, this area is a collection of small towns with rural land in between. As you get closer to Philadelphia, that risk will increase.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The risk is low here, but the population here is older, which means there's an elevated risk of senior scams. You can help by reporting anything suspicious, even a spam phone call related to your trip.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is a safe area for women with the bonus of tight-knit communities that will help a stranger in need. I walked around with two of my female friends, and the biggest issue we had was finding a place to park. The beauty was that even when we had to park far away, it was still a safe walk.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Veolia is the company that managed the tap water here. You can call at any time to ask specific questions about water quality at 1-877-565-1456. The 2022 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations.

Safest Places to Visit in Lambertville

The tourism website for this region is Lambertville Alive.

The Lambertville Chamber website also has great information about new businesses and local events.

Both websites have newsletters you can sign up for to get new information on local events.

Downtown Lambertville has more than 10 antique stores, earning the name the Antique Capital of New Jersey.

The shops are mixed between an idyllic weaving of streets through old-town charm and some of the most friendly people you can meet in America.

Lambertville also has nearly two dozen art galleries and studios to explore, with several performance art venues around the community.

Also, look for the schedule of performances in New Hope, Pennsylvania, across the river.

Have dinner at the Lambertville Station Restaurant right on the water.

It’s tucked into a 19th-century train station.

Sunday brunch, romantic dinners inside, or an al fresco meal on the canal are all available at this local historic treasure.

Explore the Howell Living History Farm just three miles from Lambertville.

Different events are held each Saturday, from ice cream churning to a four-acre corn maze to tapping the maple trees for sugar in late winter.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail runs right along the river in Lambertville, just one part of the 73-mile trail.

Visit the Bucks County Alive website to see a full list and interactive map of all the covered bridges in Bucks, Lehigh, and Hunterdon Counties.

This would be a great road trip, especially in the fall.

Places to Avoid in Lambertville

You won’t need to worry about bad neighborhoods or dangerous parts of town here.

This is a safe community on both sides of the river.

Some might be surprised to hear that Lambertville was devastated by Hurricane Ida in 2021 since it’s 60 miles inland.

However, that storm dropped a fast 11 inches of rain in the town, and many homes and businesses were destroyed.

It was the worst flooding in recent history, and some parts of town are still being rebuilt.

That’s a solemn reminder to take any tropical weather risks seriously here.

Winter storms can also drop snow by the feet, like in 2016 when 39 inches of snow fell—that’s more than three feet!

You just have to stay weather aware here.

If you’re taking Route 202 between Lambertville and New Hope, that’s a toll road.

The cash price is $3, but those with an EZ Pass will pay $1.25.

You can take Bridge Street without paying a toll, but the road is just one lane in each direction and goes right into the heart of the business districts, which could lead to more traffic.

The bridges are walkable so that you can avoid the toll and traffic altogether.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Lambertville

So... How Safe Is Lambertville Really?

Of nearly two dozen New Jersey cities I’ve researched, Lambertville is the only one with updated crime data for the most recent year in 2022.

While it wasn’t reflected in the FBI crime data summary, it was posted in full transparency on the police department’s website.

Lambertville had 21 crimes in 2022, and 20 of those were thefts.

That brings the theft rate to one-third of the national average, but in towns this small, it’s those numbers can feel worse than they are.

That’s one theft every 18 days in 2022.

It’s also down 300% since 2017.

The one violent crime was a sexual assault, and that was between an adult male and a juvenile who knew each other.

As someone who spent time in the New Hope/Lambertville area for a week, I had absolutely no concerns walking around as a solo woman.

Even when I was working out in the morning or walking back at night after dinner, I didn’t feel the least bit threatened.

My only real challenge was dealing with slow elderly drivers on the main roads.

This might be a place where residents feel safe leaving their doors unlocked, but no town in America is THAT safe.

Lambertville is nothing like you’d expect in the Jersey towns closer to New York City, and that’s just why this is such a popular place to visit.

How Does Lambertville Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You will need a passport that isn't within six months of expiring and a visa or visa waiver to get through Customs and Border Patrol. You can start that process by reviewing the latest updates on the U.S. State Department website.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar can be used here, and use a credit card as much as possible to get the best fraud protection. Exchange currency at the airport or your home bank, so you aren't trying to figure it out in a small town.

Weather

Bring layers of clothing in fall and spring, as the temperatures fluctuate often. Winter will be cold and snowy, and you'll need cold-weather accessories. For summer, wear loose, light-colored clothing as it will be humid here. Bug spray is strongly recommended.

Airports

The Philadelphia International Airport is about an hour from Lambertville. Trenton Mercer Airport is just 12 miles away, but you can only get flights through Frontier Airlines.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a wise investment for a trip to a place that gets a lot of intense weather. You also get the benefit of immediate coverage when you purchase insurance, which means last-minute cancelations would get you a full refund.

Lambertville Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

New Jersey - Safety by City