Is Penns Grove Safe, Pros and cons of living in Penns Grove

Penns Grove, a borough in Salem County, New Jersey, presents a unique blend of small-town charm and evolving economic landscapes. With a population that hovers around 4,882 residents, it offers a close-knit community feel, though most residents opt to rent their homes. The borough is characterized by a diverse demographic makeup, with significant Black or African American and White populations, alongside a notable Hispanic or Latino community. This diversity extends to its age distribution, which skews younger, with a median age of approximately 25.1 years.

Economically, Penns Grove presents a mixed picture. The median household income is around $45,781, which is considerably lower than the national average. This is coupled with a poverty rate that is significantly higher than the national average. However, the borough is also experiencing a commercial renaissance, with efforts underway to attract new development and create more employment opportunities. The job market is supported by a variety of industries, including retail trade, healthcare, and accommodation and food services.

Is it Safe to Live in Penns Grove?

Penns Grove’s safety profile presents a complex narrative, with crime statistics showing both concerning trends and areas of improvement. The overall crime rate in Penns Grove is reported to be comparable to the national average, though specific categories show variation. Violent crime rates are notably higher than the national average, with a particularly concerning murder rate reported among cities with available data (as reported by AreaVibes). Despite these figures, some analyses indicate that Penns Grove ranks in the 59th percentile for safety, suggesting it is safer than 59% of U.S. cities (as reported by AreaVibes).

When examining specific crime data, the FBI reports that over a five-year period, Penns Grove recorded a significant number of violent crimes, averaging 185.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 74.7% above the national average (as reported by FBI Crime Data Explorer). Conversely, property crime rates are reported to be below the national average. Residents’ perceptions of safety can vary by neighborhood, with the northeast part of the borough generally considered the safest, while the northwest neighborhoods experience a higher crime rate (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing and Cost of Living

Penns Grove offers a more affordable housing market compared to many other areas in New Jersey and the nation. The median home value is approximately $178,200, which is considerably lower than the national median (as reported by Data USA). However, the homeownership rate is also lower than the national average, with a majority of residents choosing to rent their homes (as reported by Data USA).

Rental costs in Penns Grove are also relatively accessible, with median rents for apartments ranging from around $1,350 for a one-bedroom to over $1,871 for a three-bedroom (as reported by Apartments.com). The cost of living in Penns Grove is reported to be 12% higher than the U.S. national average, but this is influenced by factors that can be more affordable than other regions, such as housing (as reported by Salary.com). Some sources indicate that housing costs are 17.0% lower than the national average, while others show a median rent of $1,117 per month (as reported by Salary.com, Point2Homes).

Job Market and Economy

The employment landscape in Penns Grove is characterized by a declining employment rate over the recent period, with a slight decrease in the number of employed residents (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents include retail trade, healthcare and social assistance, and accommodation and food services (as reported by Data USA). Major employers in the broader Salem County area include Inspira Health Network, Walmart, and Wawa, suggesting potential employment opportunities within a reasonable commuting distance (as reported by Cumberland County, NJ).

The median household income in Penns Grove is reported at $45,781 (as reported by Data USA, Niche, ZoomProspector), and the average per capita income is approximately $39,611 (as reported by Data USA). The unemployment rate in Penns Grove has been noted to be higher than the national average, with some sources indicating figures around 13% (as reported by Point2Homes) or 6.4% (as reported by Niche).

Climate and Environment

Penns Grove experiences a climate typical of the Mid-Atlantic region, with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures throughout the year generally range from a low of 26°F in January to a high of 87°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The borough receives an average annual precipitation of about 47 inches, with July being the wettest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The area is characterized by partly cloudy skies year-round, and summers can feel uncomfortably humid, particularly in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather, WeatherSpark). For those sensitive to weather conditions, the months of May to June and mid-August to October offer the most comfortable weather, with mild temperatures and lower humidity (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

The Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District serves the borough’s students. Penns Grove High School, which serves grades 9-12, is ranked within the bottom 50% of New Jersey schools for overall test scores (as reported by Niche). Math proficiency at the high school is particularly low, with ≤5% of students achieving proficiency, while reading proficiency is also below the state average (as reported by Niche).

The student-teacher ratio at Penns Grove High School is 15:1, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 11:1 (as reported by Niche). While the district has a graduation rate of 90-94% (as reported by Niche), the academic performance metrics suggest challenges within the local school system. The overall Niche grade for the district is a C-.

Demographics and Community

Penns Grove is a borough with a population of approximately 4,882 residents, showing a slight population decrease over recent years (as reported by Data USA, Penns Grove, NJ). The racial makeup is diverse, with significant Black or African American and White populations, and a substantial Hispanic or Latino community (as reported by Data USA, Penns Grove, NJ).

The median age in Penns Grove is 25.1 years, indicating a relatively young population (as reported by Data USA, Penns Grove, NJ). A large percentage of the population, 44.1%, lives below the poverty line, which is significantly higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The community is described as having a dense suburban feel, with most residents renting their homes and a tendency towards conservative political leanings (as reported by Niche).