New Jersey is known for its proximity to major cities and diverse communities.

There are many pluses and some downsides, too.

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Some New Jersey towns experience higher crime rates compared to others.

Several cities in the state have gained notoriety for being among the most unsafe, mainly due to higher incidences of violent crime, property crime, and socio-economic challenges.

A new article covering the most dangerous towns in New Jersey is, well, complicated.

It's all about the data used.

Norada Real Estate Investments is behind this ranking. Here's how they described the methodology.

The crime index values presented in this article are based on data provided by USA.com, a reputable source for crime statistics and information. These values are calculated using a complex algorithm that considers various factors, including violent crime, property crime, and other criminal activities. A higher crime index value indicates a higher crime level in the region.

This is all well and good, but the size of these towns in terms of their crime level is critical.

The number one town has a crime index of over 36,000, leaps and bounds ahead of town number two.

However, the city has a population of just 56. This will sway the numbers.

Some towns made the list, but not where they should rank.

For example, you would think that Camden, with its poverty, unemployment, and gang violence, would be on the top. Nope. Not on this ranking.

Newark is New Jersey’s largest city and faces a reputation for crime.

Newark’s issues with violent crime, such as shootings and assaults, are often tied to gang activity, drug trafficking, and economic issues.

Newark is not even in the top 10 here.

How about our state capital, Trenton?

Trenton has been battling gun violence and crime for decades, and the problems continue.

Even Trenton is not in the top 10.

Let me be clear. This is not my ranking of New Jersey towns.

All I'm doing here is showing how a little data manipulation can give excellent and safe towns a bad wrap.

The Most Unsafe Towns in New Jersey

Gallery Credit: Matt Ryan

LOOK: States sending the most people to New Jersey

Stacker compiled a list of states where the most people are moving to New Jersey using data from the Census Bureau.

Gallery Credit: Stacker