11 Worst Neighborhoods in Boston

Boston is a beautiful city with a lot to offer its residents and visitors. However, like any city, it has its share of dangerous neighborhoods. Here are some of the worst areas in Boston, based on crime rates:

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In Boston

1. Central

Central, an area in Boston, poses significant risks to its residents. With a crime rate of 5,452 incidents per 100,000 people, which is a stagg­ering 321% higher than the national average, it has gained notoriety as the most dangerous neighborhood in the city. Although property crimes are prevalent in Central, violent offenses also contr­ibute to their worrisome reput­ation.

2. Roxbury

Roxbury is another one of Boston’s most dangerous neighborhoods. It has a total crime rate of 4,727 per 100,000 residents, 273% higher than the national average. Like Central, most of the crime in Roxbury is property crime, but violent crime is also a problem.

3. Dorchester

Dorch­ester, a large neighborhood in Boston, houses a population of over 130,000 residents. While the northern region of Dorch­ester remains relat­ively safe, the southern part stands out as one of the city’s most dangerous areas. In fact, South Dorch­ester exhibits a stagg­ering total crime rate of 3,295 per 100,000 resid­ents—a discon­certing statistic that exceeds the Massac­husetts state average by 142%.

4. Mattapan

Mattapan, a small neighborhood in Boston, has an appro­ximate population of 30,000 people. It is recognized for its high crime rate, surpa­ssing the state average by 138% and exceeding Boston’s average by 27%. Mattapan faces prevalent property crimes, including theft, car break-ins, and larce­ny.

5. South End

The South End, a trendy district in Boston, is home to numerous eateries and stores. While it offers various dining options and shopping experiences, it also harbors one of the city’s most dangerous neighbo­rhoods. With a total crime rate of 2,996 per 100,000 residents – exceeding the state average by 129% – certain sections of the South End are infamous for street-related crimes while others provide a safe haven suitable for families.

6. North Dorchester

Dorch­ester, a city with around 130,000 resid­ents, is where almost one-fifth of all Bosto­nians call home. Its total crime rate stands at 2,823 per 100,000 residents, which exceeds the state average by 121%.

Based on crime maps provided by the Dorch­ester Reporter, the more dangerous areas within Dorch­ester are situated west of Columbia Road. Criminal activity tends to be concen­trated around the vicinity of Blue Hill Avenue.

7. Hyde Park

Hyde Park, a neighborhood located in Boston’s South End, has a total crime rate of 2,888 per 100,000 residents. This rate exceeds the state average by 124%. Despite this higher rate, Hyde Park is generally considered relat­ively safe with regard to violent crime. Most incidents in the area are property-related offenses like thefts and burgl­aries, although assaults can occur.

8. Jamaica Plain

Jamaica Plain is generally considered to be a safe neighborhood in Boston. However, like any city, it has its share of crime. According to the Boston Police Department, the crime rate in Jamaica Plain is 1,852 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. The majority of crime in Jamaica Plain is property crime, such as burglaries and thefts. Violent crime is also a problem but is less common than property crime.

9. Back Bay-Beacon Hill

Back Bay-Beacon Hill is one of the bad areas of Boston. The crime rate here is 4,041 crimes per 100,000 residents, almost 140% higher than the state average. Living in Back Bay-Beacon Hill means you have a 1 in 25 chance of becoming a victim of crime.

10. South Dorchester

South Dorchester stands tall among the worst parts of Boston. According to Areavibes, the crime rate here is 40% higher than the national average, with the violent crime rate standing at 119% and the property crime rate 24% higher than the U.S. average.

11. East Boston

East Boston wraps up our list of bad areas of Boston. In terms of overall crime rate and property crime rate, the neighborhood is considered safe; however, the violent crime rate, standing at 8% higher than the national average, is a concern for the residents.

Is South Boston Safe?

South Boston is widely regarded as a secure neighborhood within the city. However, like any urban area, it does experience some criminal activity. The crime rate in South Boston stands at 1,728 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is approximately 15% lower than the national average.

When considering safety levels within South Boston itself, the western and central parts of the neighborhood are considered to be the most secure areas. On the other hand, the southern and eastern sections of the neighborhood tend to have higher rates of crime.

Worst Parts of Boston: Takeaway