Is Millville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Millville

Millville, a city steeped in history and known as the “Holly City,” offers a unique blend of small-town charm and accessible amenities. Its location in Cumberland County, New Jersey, provides residents with a connection to both rural landscapes and nearby recreational opportunities. The city has undergone various transformations, from its industrial past to a present-day focus on arts and community development.

The community boasts a friendly atmosphere, with a population that values its heritage and embraces a slower pace of life. Millville’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty is evident in its numerous parks, lakes, and wildlife preserves. These features contribute to a high quality of life for those seeking a peaceful retreat within a well-established community.

Is it Safe to Live in Millville?

Millville’s overall crime rate is higher than the national average, with a crime rate of 43 per one thousand residents. This places it among communities with higher crime rates nationwide. Your chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Millville is approximately one in 23 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Within New Jersey, over 96% of communities have a lower crime rate than Millville (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

The city’s crime rate is 105.73% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Daily, this translates to about 3.27 incidents, including 0.34 violent crimes and 2.93 property crimes. Despite these statistics, the safety of Millville can vary significantly by neighborhood, with some areas being considerably safer than others (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing Market and Cost of Living

Housing Costs

The median home value in Millville is approximately $219,000 (as reported by Data USA). However, recent data indicates fluctuations, with the median sale price being $220,000 in March 2026, a decrease of 16.0% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). Homes in Millville receive an average of two offers and tend to sell in about 46 days on the market (as reported by Redfin).

The homeownership rate in Millville stands at 64.1%, which is slightly lower than the national average of 65.2% (as reported by Data USA). For those considering renting, the median rent price in Millville is around $1,261 (as reported by Niche). More recent rental market trends show an average rent of $1,528 as of March 31, 2026, which is lower than the national average rent of $1,910 (as reported by Zillow).

Cost of Living

Millville’s cost of living is considered to be 11% higher than the U.S. national average, but 7% lower than New Jersey’s state average (as reported by Salary.com). The average estimated monthly expenses for a single person are around $2,750, and for a family of four, it’s approximately $6,056 (as reported by Salary.com). This figure reflects a 2% increase from the previous year, with housing, transportation, and food costs being primary drivers (as reported by Salary.com).

When compared to other major cities, living in Millville is more affordable. For instance, it is 70% less expensive than San Francisco and 29% less than Washington, D.C. (as reported by Salary.com). However, food costs in Millville are less affordable than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

Job Market and Economy

Major Employers

The economy of Millville is supported by several key industries and major employers. Health Care & Social Assistance is a significant sector, employing a large number of residents (as reported by Data USA). Manufacturing and Retail Trade are also prominent industries within the city (as reported by Data USA).

Notable employers in the broader Cumberland County area, which includes Millville, feature Inspira Health Network, Walmart, Wawa, and Shoprite (as reported by Cumberland County). Within Millville itself, ARC International North America, Inc., Cumberland County Guidance Center, and Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Inc. are among the larger companies (as reported by Zippia).

Salaries and Unemployment

The average annual salary in Millville is approximately $42,662, which equates to about $20.51 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, other sources indicate a higher average yearly salary of $54,294 (as reported by ReadySetHire), with salaries ranging from $30,980 to $140,000 depending on the role and industry (as reported by ReadySetHire). Top-paying jobs often include those in healthcare, such as Registered Nurses, with average salaries around $88,413 (as reported by ReadySetHire).

The unemployment rate in Millville was reported at 8.9% in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). This rate is higher than the long-term average of 8.59% (as reported by YCharts). In comparison, the statewide unemployment rate in New Jersey was 5.1% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts).

Climate and Environment

Temperature and Weather Patterns

Millville experiences a climate characterized by warm, humid summers and very cold, windy winters. Over the course of the year, temperatures typically range from 24°F to 86°F, rarely dropping below 11°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by Time and Date). The hot season lasts from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures above 77°F, with July being the hottest month (as reported by Time and Date).

Conversely, the cold season extends from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 50°F. January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures around 26°F and highs near 42°F (as reported by Time and Date). The city experiences an average annual rainfall of about 42 inches and around 12 inches of snowfall (as reported by Livability.com).

Precipitation and Seasonal Conditions

Wet days, defined as those with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation, are more common during the warmer months. The period from late March to late August is typically wetter, with a greater than 29% chance of a wet day (as reported by Time and Date). July sees the most wet days, averaging about 10.7 days with measurable precipitation (as reported by Time and Date).

The drier season spans from late August to late March, with January having the fewest wet days, averaging around 7.1 (as reported by Time and Date). For those who enjoy water activities, the water temperature is warmest in August, reaching an average of 74°F, and coolest in February at around 40°F (as reported by Time and Date).

Education and Demographics

School District Performance

The Millville School District serves PK-12 students and has an overall Niche grade of C+ (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 17% of students are proficient in math and 18% in reading (as reported by Niche). The district’s average testing ranking places it within the bottom 50% of all school districts in New Jersey (as reported by Public School Review).

Public schools in the Millville School District have average math proficiency scores of 16% and reading proficiency scores of 15%, which are significantly lower than the New Jersey statewide averages (as reported by Public School Review). The district’s graduation rate is 84%, which has seen a slight decrease over the past five school years (as reported by Public School Review).

Population and Diversity

Millville is home to approximately 27,511 residents, with a nearly even gender distribution of 50.5% male and 49.5% female (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age in Millville is 44.4 years (as reported by Data Commons). The population is diverse, with Caucasian individuals making up about 60.9% of the residents, followed by African Americans at 18.2%, and those of Asian descent at 0.7% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Hispanic or Latino individuals constitute about 14.93% of the population (as reported by Wikipedia). A significant majority of Millville residents, 97.3%, are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The city’s population has seen a slight decrease of 3.2% from 2010 to 2020 (as reported by Wikipedia).

Pros and Cons of Living in Millville

Advantages

Millville offers a cost of living that is more affordable than the New Jersey state average, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals and families (as reported by Salary.com). The city provides a variety of recreational activities, including access to parks, lakes, and wildlife preserves, enhancing the quality of life for outdoor enthusiasts (as reported by Weichert.com).

The community atmosphere is generally described as friendly and charming, contributing to a sense of belonging. Millville also has a developing arts scene, with areas like the Glasstown Center Arts District fostering cultural engagement (as reported by Weichert.com).

Disadvantages

A significant concern for potential residents is Millville’s crime rate, which is higher than both the national and state averages (as reported by AreaVibes, NeighborhoodScout). This elevated crime rate necessitates a higher level of vigilance and awareness within certain neighborhoods.

Furthermore, the educational system in Millville faces challenges, with school district rankings and proficiency scores falling below state averages (as reported by Niche, Public School Review). This may be a critical factor for families prioritizing robust educational opportunities for their children.