Is Chatham (Chatham Township) safe?
Chatham Township, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Chatham (Chatham Township) as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Chatham (Chatham Township)
“Go. Chatham Township is an exceptionally safe, prosperous suburban community with virtually non-existent violent crime rates and immaculate residential neighborhoods. Visitors can explore local nature reserves and parks with complete peace of mind, provided they adhere to basic precautions regarding vehicle security.”
About the area
Chatham Township is a quintessential Morris County suburb characterized by expansive single-family homes, manicured estates, and large swathes of protected nature including the Great Swamp. While predominantly residential, it offers peaceful green spaces and easy access to shopping hubs and neighboring historic downtowns.
- Affluent Suburban
- Peaceful / Wooded
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Chatham (Chatham Township)
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 34/100
There are no public bike-share systems, but the township offers scenic, low-traffic residential roads and access to recreational dirt trails around the Great Swamp borders for hybrid or gravel bikes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low violent and property crime rates well below state and national medians
- High median household income exceeding $200,000 with pristine public infrastructure
- Direct access to over 7,000 acres of protected nature at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
- Consistently well-funded emergency services and rapid police response times
Cons
- Occasional targeted luxury vehicle thefts and home entry attempts for car keys
- Car-dependent layout with minimal sidewalk connectivity outside specific subdivisions
- Limited standalone retail and dining within township borders compared to neighboring Chatham Borough
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Chatham Township, and there are no encampments or panhandling hot spots in the area.
What Chatham (Chatham Township) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet and bright as joggers, dog walkers, and school commuters navigate calm residential avenues.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Peaceful and safe, with light local traffic near neighborhood schools and shopping plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Serene and residential with minimal activity; neighborhoods remain completely safe for an evening stroll.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and quiet with very low road traffic; streets remain safe, though standard suburban awareness applies.
Transit, parking and getting around
Chatham Township is primarily served by the NJ Transit Morris & Essex Lines via the adjacent Chatham Borough or Madison train stations (a 5- to 10-minute drive), offering direct Midtown Direct service to New York Penn Station and Hoboken.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with large free surface lots at local shopping centers and parks, as well as ample, unrestricted curbside parking across residential streets.
Things to do in Chatham (Chatham Township)
- Walk the scenic boardwalks and observe wildlife at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
- Hike and picnic through the wooded trails along the Passaic River County Park
- Visit the historic copper mines and trailheads near the Green Village edge of the township
Local favorites
- Mitsuba Japanese Cuisine · Japanese Restaurant · 4.5★ (240)A popular neighborhood spot in Hickory Square serving fresh sushi rolls, sashimi, and classic teriyaki entrees.
- Hickory Tree Delicatessen · Deli · 4.6★ (185)Long-running local deli renowned for hearty breakfast sandwiches, subs, and traditional New Jersey pork rolls.
- Sorriso Kitchen · Breakfast & Brunch · 4.7★ (430)Beloved nearby eatery offering creative farm-to-table breakfast dishes with a strong community mission.
Neighborhoods near Chatham (Chatham Township)
Common questions about Chatham (Chatham Township)
Is Chatham (Chatham Township) safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Chatham (Chatham Township) a good place to live?
On safety, Chatham (Chatham Township) scores 96/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Chatham (Chatham Township)?
Walk score 28/100 and bike score 34/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Chatham (Chatham Township) are safer?
Chatham (Chatham Township) scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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