Orange County, New York, is classified as a suburban county and is located north of New York City. Approximately 384,000 people live there, and it has an area of 839 square miles.
Even while Orange County is typically thought of as a safe and successful place to live, there are some areas that are more vulnerable to crime and violence than others. Using maps and crime data from several sources, the following paragraphs outline Orange County’s top five dangerous neighborhoods:
1. Middletown
Middletown, which is located next to Sullivan County in western Orange County, has a population of approximately 28,000 with a crime rate of 12.5 per 1,000 people. With 76 recorded violent crimes in this location in 2019, it has the highest prevalence of violent crimes in the county.
The most common violent crimes are rape, robbery, and assault. Theft, arson, and other property crimes are also comparatively common. In particular, Middletown’s most vulnerable areas are centered in its eastern and southern regions, which have greater than average rates of substance misuse, unemployment, and poverty.
2. Newburgh
Situated on the Hudson River in the eastern part of Orange County, Newburgh is home to about 28,000 people and has a crime rate of 11.8 per 1,000 inhabitants. There are a lot of violent crimes reported in Newburgh; 331 cases were recorded in 2019.
Typical violent crimes include robbery, murder, and assault. Numerous property crimes, including as theft, fraud, and vandalism, are another issue the city faces. Higher levels of prostitution, gun-related crime, and gang activity are prevalent in Newburgh’s northern and western regions.
3. Port Jervis
Situated on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the southwest region of Orange County, Port Jervis is home to about 8,000 people and has a crime rate of 10.8 per 1,000 persons. Although the number of violent crimes recorded there is moderate (86 in 2019), the most common offenses are assault and robbery.
Theft, motor vehicle theft, and burglary are examples of property crimes that are on the rise. The eastern and southern parts of Port Jervis exhibit higher rates of poverty and social problems.
4. The Blooming Grove
With a population of about 12,000 and a crime rate of 9 per 1,000 residents, Blooming Grove is located in the center of Orange County, close to Rockland County. With only 11 violent crimes reported in 2019, property crimes like theft and fraud are more common. However, violent crimes are still very rare.
Notably, Blooming Grove also has a higher than average rate of arrests and offenses involving alcohol. There is a greater concentration of crime in Blooming Grove’s northern area, which is home to businesses and industries.
5. New Windsor
With a population of about 25,000 and a crime rate of 8 per 1,000 people, New Windsor is a town in eastern Orange County along the Hudson River. Its exceptionally low rate of violent crimes—20 incidents in 2019 mostly consisted of robbery and assault—is noteworthy.
Moreover, property crimes—such as theft and burglary—occur relatively seldom. However, there are some parts of New Windsor with marginally higher crime rates, including the vicinity of Stewart International Airport and Route 32.
In Conclusion
Based on the information that is currently available, these five neighborhoods are the most dangerous in Orange County. It’s important to recognize that a variety of factors and sources can have an impact on crime rates, making these rankings neither absolute nor final.
Furthermore, the general safety or quality of life of an area is not always reflected in its crime rate. These places may be more desirable or appealing to locals or tourists for other reasons.