Is Quincy Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Quincy, Massachusetts, is on Boston’s South Shore and known as the “City of Presidents.”

A huge celebration is being planned in 2025 for the 400th anniversary of the city’s settlement.

Quincy is a growing diverse community with a 10% population increase since 2010.

The Asian community continues to grow, making up 30% of the population in 2020, and that number increases every few months.

The diverse and inclusive community also welcomes LGBTQ+ individuals through a volunteer organization.

Even tourism activities encourage multicultural visitors, with some tours being offered in Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

Quincy Asian Resources helps visitors and immigrants familiarize themselves with the community.

The city’s history is notable for being the birthplace of presidents, including John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and John Hancock.

While the city embraces its current cultural diversity, it also honors its rich history in granite, shipbuilding, and aviation.

If all that doesn’t impress you enough, how about this being the home to Dunkin’ Donuts?

While primarily a residential community, it does boast 30 miles of shoreline and views of Boston Harbor Islands National and State Parks.

Warnings & Dangers in Quincy

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Quincy has a low risk, with below-average crime rates across the board. We do need to talk about a handful of outrageous crimes near the end of 2022, but it's nothing that should keep you from visiting. Plus, the rich history and diverse list of things to do make it a great place to visit close to Boston with more of a suburban feel.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

MTBA is the public transportation system here, but it's referred to as "The T." Buses, subways, trains, and ferries can get you around anywhere in the Boston area, and there are four "T" stops in Quincy. Taxis, rideshares, and rental cars are easily available options too.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

18 pickpockets were reported in 2021 out of 806 thefts. The risk is low but not unheard of, especially when riding the "T." Minimize how much you carry by only bringing what you need and keep high-tech items like mobile devices and smartwatches hidden.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Tropical, severe, or winter weather can impact this community. The risk of a hurricane or nor'easter covers every calendar month. Winter storms are common, with heavy snow and high winds. Flooding and storm surge is always a risk in a coastal community. The city's emergency management department has preparation and safety information for every risk online.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery risk is low at just 30% of the national average. On top of that, just 25% of those robberies were person-to-person. Random and shocking acts of crime can happen here, so don't ever get too comfortable that you forget the importance of situational awareness.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Being this close to Boston should prompt you to sign up for National Terrorism Advisory Alerts through the Department of Homeland Security. As sad as it is to say, a diverse community could also mean a risk of hate crimes. While it's not something to lose sleep over with worry, it should be noted that you should not only watch out for yourself but also the minority residents who live here.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

No tourist scams are being reported as of early 2023, but scammers were smart enough to steal $3.5 million from the Quincy Pension Fund. If you're visiting or moving here as an immigrant, here are a few tips: o The Better Business Bureau lists nationwide scams, and the Quincy Police Department will post new scam reports online. o No bank, law enforcement officer or government worker will call, text, or email you with pressure to provide personal information over the phone. When in doubt, hang up and contact the local police. o You can report suspected scams or fraud by calling QPD at (833)537-1855.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

While not an overwhelming risk here, I need to note a scary situation that happened at a T stop in Quincy on a November Saturday morning in 2022. A man allegedly first attempted to kidnap a woman who fought him off, then found a 64-year-old woman and kidnaped her. He duct-taped her face and eyes before raping her repeatedly and then dumping her behind a local store. The woman survived, and the evil man reportedly told police he was tired of online dating and chose to consider the horrendous thing he did as "his way of dating." It just goes to show you that even safe communities require situational awareness.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations. People with questions are encouraged to email the water authority at Ask.MWRA@mwra.com. Since the city is old, lead pipes can be a problem in older buildings. You can reduce the risk by letting a stagnant facet run for a minute before using the water. Boiling water won't get rid of lead.

Safest Places to Visit in Quincy

DiscoverQuincy.com is a wonderful tool for visitors with specific information about historical places, outdoor spaces, and contact information for diverse and inclusive community groups.

A free visitor’s guide is available for download without sharing personal information.

You can also download the Discover Quincy app from Google or Apple stores.

If you want to visit Quincy for the 400th-anniversary celebration, visit quincy400.com.

QuincyAsianResources.org and QuincyPride.com are two other niche tourism and community groups.

Quincy’s Historic Landmarks on the Presidents Trail offers 10 sightseeing options, ranging from a stone tower to restored homes to bronze statues of notable figures.

Use The Clio history tour to learn more about each location as you visit.

Adams National Historic Park is part of the National Park Service (NPS), and you can download its app to cover this and other national parks in the region.

Seven city beaches and one state beach are located in Quincy, with the top two visitor beaches being Wollaston Beach, Avalon Beach, and Nickerson Beach.

Be advised many beaches here are tucked into residential areas.

Blue Hills Ski Area is just 15 minutes away from Quincy, with eight trails, a rental shop, and a ski lift or magic carpet to move people around.

Manmade snow will cover the slopes if mother nature doesn’t bring it herself, as long as the temperatures are below freezing.

Boat tours and ferries are available seasonally from one of the marinas in town, but the ferry to Boston Harbor Islands National Park departs from Boston.

It’s well worth the trip to see the lighthouses, Civil War fort, tide pools, and waterfront.

That NPS app will come in handy here too.

Quincy Quarries Reservation was the birthplace of the granite industry in Quincy and provided materials that built Bunker Hill (10 miles away in Somerville).

Rock climbers will love the more than 20 sheer cliffs, but this isn’t a place for first-timers.

Rocks are covered with graffiti, and it isn’t an outdoor oasis by any means.

I genuinely struggled with if this is a place to visit or avoid.

Places to Avoid in Quincy

Quincy doesn’t have dangerous neighborhoods or places to avoid, but it’s always wise to stick to the main streets and highways instead of cutting through neighborhoods.

I-93 is the main interstate between Quincy and Boston and is prone to heavy traffic with aggressive and impatient drivers.

This is one of several reasons why people here prefer The T over driving.

Many of the beaches in Quincy have limited or no parking options, so you’ll need to figure out a way to get there and back.

Be advised each city and state beach has specific parking requirements and costs, with visitors having to pay more and some communities having residents-only beached.

The Quincy city website details each beach, size, and parking limits.

When you’re researching Quincy, be sure to add “Massachusetts” to any search since Quincy is a common city name.

Believe me, you don’t want to accidentally book a room in Quincy, Illinois, instead of the Coastal haven outside Boston.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Quincy

So... How Safe Is Quincy Really?

Quincy has managed to keep stable crime rates at a time it’s growing fast, and many other American cities are dealing with increases in violent crime.

The average violent crime rate is 396 incidents per 100,000 people, but in Quincy, that number is 298 per 100,000.

Just 9% of violent crimes happen against strangers here, and 55% of them happen in private homes.

31% of all thefts were car breakings, but there’s still a theft rate almost half the national average.

The aforementioned kidnappings and sexual assault rocked Quincy, while around that same time, a hate crime resulted in an Asian man being dragged by a car after the driver made racial slurs.

While even the Quincy Asian Resources organization insists this isn’t a reflection of the attitude in Quincy and this was a rare, random act, it still made nationwide headlines.

Please don’t let these awful crimes taint your opinion.

These things can happen in any community, and it’s more important to look at yearly or five-year crime rate averages in a community.

When you do that, you’ll see that Quincy is a place where crime is at its lowest level since 2014.

It’s important to research other cities or neighborhoods near Boston, as you must go through some more dangerous neighborhoods to get to Boston.

South Boston and Roxbury have notably higher crime rates.

You’re more likely to be in a more dangerous neighborhood when you leave Quincy.

How Does Quincy Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Tourist visas have been largely delayed on long waiting lists since the height of the pandemic, but the U.S. State Department vows to improve processing time in 2023 and beyond. You can read the updated requirements on the department's website, along with the detailed process. Check if you are from a country that has a Visa Waiver eligibility, too.

Currency

Exchange currency to the U.S. Dollar (USD) before you arrive, as you'll get lower fees at your own bank than you'll find in America. Purchases can largely be made with credit cards, offering the best fraud protection. If you carry cash, keep it concealed, and don't bring large amounts with you at a time.

Weather

Quincy and the Boston area has four distinct seasons, with weather ranging from snowy and bitterly cold winters to scorching summer days. Pack warm layers of clothing, a waterproof or water-repellant coat, and snow boots for winter. Bug spray and sunscreen will be needed from late spring through fall. Bring water shoes to protect your feet from sharp shells if you visit a beach.

Airports

You can drive to Boston Logan International Airport in 30 minutes or take "The T" in less than an hour. Check the water ferry schedule as well to see if there's a Quincy route.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can prevent financial losses if severe, tropical, or winter weather causes delays or cancelation. The policies go into effect as soon as you make a purchase. Get the best value by purchasing it when you reserve the flight and hotel.

Quincy Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Massachusetts - Safety by City