Almost Everyone in New Jersey Calls 9-1-1 Each Year

A few weekends ago, I called 9-1-1 after seeing a big SUV flipped on its side near a local supermarket. And that got me wondering about just how often do people in New Jersey actually call 9-1-1?

The answer might surprise you: nearly every resident makes at least one call each year.

NJ is One of the Busiest 9-1-1 States in America

On a statewide level, New Jersey ranks as the fifth-busiest in the nation, based on data from 2019 to 2021.

According to police1.com, the Garden State had around 977 calls per 1,000 residents. For comparison, New Mexico was at the top with 1,169 calls per 1,000 people.

A year-by-year breakdown lists the actual number of 9-1-1 calls:

• 2022: 9,958,837
• 2021: 8,961,206
• 2020: 9,500,000 (estimated)
• 2019: 9,250,000 (estimated)

NJ Has Been Investing Heavily in its 9-1-1 System

The good news is that the state has invested heavily in upgrading its 9-1-1 call centers and technology. According to NJ.com, last year, these counties received a large amount of funding for infrastructure improvements:

• Morris County - $2.2 million
• Cape May County- $1.5 million
• Bergen County - $1.3 million
• Mercer County - $1 million
• Salem County - $950,000

• READ MORE: New Jersey Drivers Warned About Real-looking Toll Text Scam

What County-level Data Shows

Because New Jersey doesn't publish a single unified annual report, the clearest picture comes from piecing together county data across multiple years.

For example, last year, Burlington County received 1,056,340 total emergency calls (9-1-1 and otherwise), including nearly 700,000 that required a police response and nearly 36,000 fire incidents.

In 2018, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office handled over 547,000 calls, of which 202,000 were 9-1-1 calls.

Where First Responders are Under the Most Pressure

Research suggests that New Jersey's bigger cities, like Newark or Camden, will handle many more emergency calls compared to areas like lower Salem County, where your nearest neighbor is a quarter of a mile away.

Certainly, crime data isn't the same thing as actual 9-1-1 call volume, but it does help show where emergency services are likely under the most pressure.

Let's take a look at the most dangerous cities in New Jersey:

And the safest, where it's likely that 9-1-1 calls are not as common.

Chris Coleman, a South Jersey native, is the brand manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM and afternoon on-air personality on WPUR Cat Country 107.3 in Atlantic City, NJ. He joined the station in February 1998 and covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey for Townsquare Media. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com