Pennsylvania's 25 Most Dangerous Cities in Violent Crime - Updated 2023

Unmasking Pennsylvania's Challenges: Exploring the 25 Least Safe Cities in violent crime

Author: CrimeData.io Research Team

In a world filled with both promise and peril, understanding the areas where safety concerns loom large becomes crucial. Join us on an eye-opening expedition as we uncover the 25 most dangerous cities across Pennsylvania. From bustling urban hubs to underprivileged neighborhoods, these communities grapple with security challenges that demand attention.

Where does the crime data come from?

This comprehensive list of the safest and most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania is backed by credible data sourced directly from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NBIRS). By relying on this authoritative database, we ensure that the information presented here is not only accurate but also up-to-date. The FBI's NBIRS system is a trusted source for crime statistics, providing valuable insights into the security landscapes of cities and communities across the nation.

How do we rank the cities?

Our ranking system is based on the total number of crimes reported in each city. We then calculated the crime rate per 100,000 population for each city. The cities with the lowest crime rates were ranked as the safest cities in Pennsylvania. Conversely, the cities with the highest crime rates were ranked as the most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania.

To ensure the relevance and accuracy of our rankings, this list includes only cities and communities in Pennsylvania with a population of more than 5,000 residents. This population threshold allows us to focus on areas where a significant number of people live and work, providing a meaningful perspective on safety for the majority of our readers.

The data presented in this report spans a period from 2012 to 2021. By aggregating information over this decade, we gain valuable insights into the trends and changes in safety and crime rates within Pennsylvania. This long-term perspective allows us to identify both short-term fluctuations and broader patterns, providing a comprehensive view of the security landscape in the state.

#25 Uniontown

County: Fayette

542

Crime per 100,000 population

+54.18%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+33.65%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Uniontown from 2012 to 2022

Uniontown is an area in Fayette, Pennsylvania with population of 9,988. The violent crime rate in Uniontown is based on the nearest law agency agency, Uniontown Police Department (PA0260300). Uniontown violent crime rate is 542 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Uniontown

#24 New Castle

County: Lawrence

559

Crime per 100,000 population

+58.95%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+37.77%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in New Castle from 2012 to 2022

New Castle is an area in Lawrence, Pennsylvania with population of 21,992. The violent crime rate in New Castle is based on the nearest law agency agency, New Castle Police Department (PA0370200). New Castle violent crime rate is 559 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in New Castle

#23 Aliquippa

County: Beaver

562

Crime per 100,000 population

+59.74%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+38.46%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Aliquippa from 2012 to 2022

Aliquippa is an area in Beaver, Pennsylvania with population of 9,237. The violent crime rate in Aliquippa is based on the nearest law agency agency, Aliquippa Police Department (PA0040100). Aliquippa violent crime rate is 562 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Aliquippa

#22 Johnstown

County: Cambria

605

Crime per 100,000 population

+72.17%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+49.24%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Johnstown from 2012 to 2022

Johnstown is an area in Cambria, Pennsylvania with population of 18,647. The violent crime rate in Johnstown is based on the nearest law agency agency, Johnstown Police Department (PA0110400). Johnstown violent crime rate is 605 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Johnstown

#21 Mount Carmel

County: Northumberland

636

Crime per 100,000 population

+81.03%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+56.92%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Mount Carmel from 2012 to 2022

Mount Carmel is an area in Northumberland, Pennsylvania with population of 5,740. The violent crime rate in Mount Carmel is based on the nearest law agency agency, Mount Carmel Police Department (PA0490200). Mount Carmel violent crime rate is 636 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Mount Carmel

#20 Lancaster

County: Lancaster

640

Crime per 100,000 population

+81.95%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+57.71%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Lancaster from 2012 to 2022

Lancaster is an area in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with population of 430,621. The violent crime rate in Lancaster is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lancaster Police Department (PA0360500). Lancaster violent crime rate is 640 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Lancaster

#19 Sharon Hill

County: Delaware

660

Crime per 100,000 population

+87.59%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+62.6%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Sharon Hill from 2012 to 2022

Sharon Hill is an area in Delaware, Pennsylvania with population of 5,952. The violent crime rate in Sharon Hill is based on the nearest law agency agency, Sharon Hill Police Department (PA0233000). Sharon Hill violent crime rate is 660 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Sharon Hill

#18 Reading

County: Berks

667

Crime per 100,000 population

+89.78%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+64.5%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Reading from 2012 to 2022

Reading is an area in Berks, Pennsylvania with population of 299,068. The violent crime rate in Reading is based on the nearest law agency agency, Reading Police Department (PA0061400). Reading violent crime rate is 667 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Reading

#17 Boothwyn

County: Delaware

667

Crime per 100,000 population

+89.79%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+64.51%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Boothwyn from 2012 to 2022

Boothwyn is an area in Delaware, Pennsylvania with population of 5,539. The violent crime rate in Boothwyn is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lower Chichester Township Police Department (PA0231600). Boothwyn violent crime rate is 667 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Boothwyn

#16 Steelton

County: Dauphin

680

Crime per 100,000 population

+93.38%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+67.63%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Steelton from 2012 to 2022

Steelton is an area in Dauphin, Pennsylvania with population of 6,217. The violent crime rate in Steelton is based on the nearest law agency agency, Steelton Police Department (PA0220700). Steelton violent crime rate is 680 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Steelton

#15 Selinsgrove

County: Snyder

760

Crime per 100,000 population

+116.22%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+87.43%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Selinsgrove from 2012 to 2022

Selinsgrove is an area in Snyder, Pennsylvania with population of 5,774. The violent crime rate in Selinsgrove is based on the nearest law agency agency, Selinsgrove Police Department (PA0550100). Selinsgrove violent crime rate is 760 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Selinsgrove

#14 Bradford

County: McKean

793

Crime per 100,000 population

+125.47%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+95.44%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Bradford from 2012 to 2022

Bradford is an area in McKean, Pennsylvania with population of 7,913. The violent crime rate in Bradford is based on the nearest law agency agency, Bradford Police Department (PA0420100). Bradford violent crime rate is 793 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Bradford

#13 Monessen

County: Westmoreland

794

Crime per 100,000 population

+125.71%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+95.65%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Monessen from 2012 to 2022

Monessen is an area in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania with population of 6,941. The violent crime rate in Monessen is based on the nearest law agency agency, Monessen Police Department (PA0650700). Monessen violent crime rate is 794 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Monessen

#12 York

County: York

795

Crime per 100,000 population

+126.1%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+95.98%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in York from 2012 to 2022

York is an area in York, Pennsylvania with population of 236,818. The violent crime rate in York is based on the nearest law agency agency, York Police Department (PA0670200). York violent crime rate is 795 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in York

#11 Plymouth

County: Luzerne

799

Crime per 100,000 population

+127.33%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+97.05%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Plymouth from 2012 to 2022

Plymouth is an area in Luzerne, Pennsylvania with population of 5,765. The violent crime rate in Plymouth is based on the nearest law agency agency, Plymouth Police Department (PA0401200). Plymouth violent crime rate is 799 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Plymouth

#10 Penn Wynne

County: Montgomery

827

Crime per 100,000 population

+135.18%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+103.85%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Penn Wynne from 2012 to 2022

Penn Wynne is an area in Montgomery, Pennsylvania with population of 6,226. The violent crime rate in Penn Wynne is based on the nearest law agency agency, Millbourne Police Department (PA0231900). Penn Wynne violent crime rate is 827 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Penn Wynne

#9 Indiana

County: Indiana

898

Crime per 100,000 population

+155.29%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+121.29%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Indiana from 2012 to 2022

Indiana is an area in Indiana, Pennsylvania with population of 13,573. The violent crime rate in Indiana is based on the nearest law agency agency, Indiana Police Department (PA0320300). Indiana violent crime rate is 898 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Indiana

#8 Philadelphia

County: Philadelphia

899

Crime per 100,000 population

+155.7%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+121.64%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Philadelphia from 2012 to 2022

Philadelphia is an area in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with population of 5,512,873. The violent crime rate in Philadelphia is based on the nearest law agency agency, Philadelphia Police Department (PAPEP0000). Philadelphia violent crime rate is 899 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Philadelphia

#7 Bala Cynwyd

County: Montgomery

899

Crime per 100,000 population

+155.7%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+121.64%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Bala Cynwyd from 2012 to 2022

Bala Cynwyd is an area in Montgomery, Pennsylvania with population of 8,858. The violent crime rate in Bala Cynwyd is based on the nearest law agency agency, Philadelphia Police Department (PAPEP0000). Bala Cynwyd violent crime rate is 899 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Bala Cynwyd

#6 Duquesne

County: Allegheny

931

Crime per 100,000 population

+164.83%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+129.56%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Duquesne from 2012 to 2022

Duquesne is an area in Allegheny, Pennsylvania with population of 5,280. The violent crime rate in Duquesne is based on the nearest law agency agency, Duquesne Police Department (PA0020900). Duquesne violent crime rate is 931 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Duquesne

#5 Collingdale

County: Delaware

941

Crime per 100,000 population

+167.56%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+131.93%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Collingdale from 2012 to 2022

Collingdale is an area in Delaware, Pennsylvania with population of 8,857. The violent crime rate in Collingdale is based on the nearest law agency agency, Collingdale Police Department (PA0230600). Collingdale violent crime rate is 941 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Collingdale

#4 Ambridge

County: Beaver

1,337

Crime per 100,000 population

+280.06%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+229.44%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Ambridge from 2012 to 2022

Ambridge is an area in Beaver, Pennsylvania with population of 6,959. The violent crime rate in Ambridge is based on the nearest law agency agency, Ambridge Police Department (PA0040200). Ambridge violent crime rate is 1,337 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Ambridge

#3 Chester

County: Delaware

1,437

Crime per 100,000 population

+308.59%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+254.16%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Chester from 2012 to 2022

Chester is an area in Delaware, Pennsylvania with population of 32,819. The violent crime rate in Chester is based on the nearest law agency agency, Chester Police Department (PA0230400). Chester violent crime rate is 1,437 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Chester

#2 McKees Rocks

County: Allegheny

1,451

Crime per 100,000 population

+312.43%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+257.49%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in McKees Rocks from 2012 to 2022

McKees Rocks is an area in Allegheny, Pennsylvania with population of 5,930. The violent crime rate in McKees Rocks is based on the nearest law agency agency, McKees Rocks Police Department (PA0021400). McKees Rocks violent crime rate is 1,451 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in McKees Rocks

#1 Pittsburgh

County: Allegheny

1,508

Crime per 100,000 population

+328.76%

vs. Pennsylvania average

+271.65%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Pittsburgh from 2012 to 2022

Pittsburgh is an area in Allegheny, Pennsylvania with population of 1,720,279. The violent crime rate in Pittsburgh is based on the nearest law agency agency, Mount Oliver Police Department (PA0027900). Pittsburgh violent crime rate is 1,508 per 100,000 population, compared to Pennsylvania average of 351.87 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Pittsburgh

Factors Influencing Crime Rates in Pennsylvania

Safety Tips for Violent Crime in Pennsylvania

Explore More on Crime Rates in Pennsylvania

Interested in learning more about crime rates in Pennsylvania? Check out our comprehensive guide to crime rates in Pennsylvania for a detailed analysis of crime trends and statistics across the state. From the safest cities to the most dangerous communities, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of crime rates in Pennsylvania.

Explore More on Crime Rates in United States

Curious about crime rates in the United States? Explore our comprehensive guide to crime statistics and trends across the country. From the safest cities to the most concerning communities, this guide offers an in-depth analysis of crime rates throughout the United States.

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