The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania


The most dangerous places in Pennsylvania are Philadelphia and Chester for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania research summary. We analyzed the most recent FBI crime data using Saturday Night Science to determine the most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania.

We examined the violent and property crime per capita statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. In total, we analyzed 138 Pennsylvania cities. Here are the results of our analysis:

  • The most dangerous city in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia based on the most recent FBI crime data.

  • The violent crime rate in Pennsylvania is 1,041 per 100k people.

  • The property crime rate in Pennsylvania is 4,321 per 100k people.

  • The safest city in Pennsylvania is Luzerne.

  • Pennsylvania is the 3most dangerous state in the United States.

Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania Map


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Methodology | FAQs | References


You might think that most of Pennsylvania’s crime problems occur in the two largest cities: Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Surprisingly, Pennsylvania has done a fair job of spreading its crime evenly across the state.

But the fact remains, you want to be informed about where you’re going to move in Pennsylvania.

So let’s get you informaed.

To determine the most dangerous places in Pennsylvania, we used Saturday Night Science to review the FBI’s latest crime report for violent crime and property crime statistics for the 138 cities with over 5,000 residents. The following Pennsylvania cities have higher average crime rates than their neighbors.

The Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania For 2024

  1. Philadelphia
  2. Chester
  3. McKeesport
  4. Pottstown
  5. Wilkinsburg
  6. New Kensington
  7. York
  8. Darby
  9. Plymouth
  10. Swatara

What is the most dangerous place in Pennsylvania for 2024? The most dangerous place in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia.

What are the circumstances that make these Pennsylvania cities unsafe? Not enough jobs, low wages, drugs, gangs, and, in PA’s case, the war between Steeler and Eagles fans.

If you’re curious to see how your Pennsylvania town faired, check out the complete list of places in Pennsylvania at the bottom.

For more Pennsylvania reading, check out:

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Pennsylvania For 2024

Philadelphia, PA

Source: Wikipedia User en:User:Jleon (Transfered by MSClaudiu/Original uploaded by Jleon) | CC BY-SA 3.0

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,555,812
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,041 (Third most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,321 (Second most dangerous)
Murders: 514
More on Philadelphia: Data | Cost Of Living

Turns out the City of Brotherly Love has a bit of work to do on the crime front. I mean, have they even figured out who broke Liberty Bell yet?

Seriously though, Philadelphia has the eighth highest murder rate in the state, and residents have a 1 in 96 chance of being the victim of a violent crime each year. The property crime rate also ranks as the second highest in the state.

But, for a big city, Philadelphia outshines some of its worst suburbs in terms of keeping crime rates reasonable. And if you stay out of Philadelphia’s worst neighborhoods, your odds of having a safe experience rise dramatically.

Chester, PA

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 33,905
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,757 (Second most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,518 (Fourth most dangerous)
Murders: 27
More on Chester: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

We turn to the greater Philadelphia area to reach Pennsylvania’s second most dangerous city, Chester. Chester is also the oldest city in Pennsylvania, so you’d think they’d have figured out how to keep crime down by now.

On the contrary, Chester had the second highest rate of burglaries in the state, with about one taking place each day over a year; quite a staggering rate for a city of just 33,905. Perhaps these thieves are trying to recoup their losses after a day out at the local casino and racetrack.

That doesn’t explain Chester’s second highest place ranking in murders per capita statewide, though, or Chester’s status as the second most violent spot in PA.

Mckeesport, PA

Source: Wikipedia User David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA | CC BY 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 20,765
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,945 (Most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,231 (Sixth most dangerous)
Murders: 10
More on Mckeesport: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Located a half-hour southeast of Pittsburgh, McKeesport ranks as the third most dangerous place to call home in Pennsylvania.The overall crime rate in McKeesport is 150% higher than the national average, and more than 250% higher than the statewide average.

McKeesport had the highest violent crime rate in Pennsylvania, with 10 murders in 2022. That’s enough for anyone to seek sanctuary at the nearby Renziehausen Park Rose Garden.

McKeesport isn’t exactly low on property crime either. To give you an idea, McKeesport had the highest rate of burglaries in the state, so it’s not the sort of place where it’s okay to leave your door unlocked.

4. Pottstown

Pottstown, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Willjay | GFDL

Population: 22,705
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 911 (Seventh most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,633 (Third most dangerous)
Murders: 7
More on Pottstown:

Coming in as Pennsylvania’s fourth most dangerous city is Pottstown. While Pottstown had the least violent crime per capita of cities in the top five, it does have one troubling statistic — the third highest rate of rape cases in the state. That’s about three cases per month, which, for a borough of just 22,705, is all too common.

Pottstown also had the third highest property crime rate in the state. Maybe the local Steel River Playhouse should stage a production of Crime and Punishment to educate residents on the perils of a criminal life.

Pottstown is located about 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Wilkinsburg, PA

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 15,389
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 987 (Fifth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,067 (Ninth most dangerous)
Murders: 16
More on Wilkinsburg: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

The Wilkinsburg Police Department have their work cut out for them. That’s because the borough has the highest murder rate in PA, with 16 murders occurring over 2022 — crazy high for a place with only 15,389 people.

On top of that, Wilkinsburg averaged more than one property crime each day of the year and had the third highest burglary rate in Pennsylvania. Those numbers are enough to put both Wilkinsburg’s violent and property crime rates in the top ten statewide.

Wilkinsburg is located less than 10 miles east of Pittsburgh.

New Kensington, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Doug Kerr from | CC BY-SA 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 12,273
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 668 (14th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,096 (Eighth most dangerous)
Murders: 1
More on New Kensington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Situated on the Allegheny River just northeast of Pittsburgh, New Kensington ranks as the sixth most dangerous place in Pennsylvania.

Folks in New Ken had a 1 in 32 chance of being the victim of a property crime in 2022, so it’s a city where you have to be on guard for porch pirates.

New Kensington also reported 82 violent crimes, so just about every week, one unlucky resident found themselves the victim of an attack.

York, PA

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 44,901
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 710 (13th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,558 (16th most dangerous)
Murders: 15
More on York: Data | Cost Of Living

Situated in South Central Pennsylvania, York holds the seventh spot for the most dangerous places to live in Pennsylvania, with its violent and property crime rates posing significant safety concerns.

With a population of 44,901, York has recorded 319 incidents of violent crime and 1,149 instances of property crime. The per capita rates for violent and property crimes are 710/100k and 2,558/100k respectively, contributing to its overall total crime rate of 3,269/100k.

Darby, PA

Source: Public domain

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 9,256
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 929 (Sixth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,225 (24th most dangerous)
Murders: 3
More on Darby: Data | Cost Of Living

Darby is a borough of 9,256 located just outside of southwest Philadelphia. Darby earned its #8 spot on this list thanks to having the sixth highest rate of violent crime in Pennsylvania. What’s especially bad is that Darby had the 74th most rapes per capita in the whole state, with about one case happening every three weeks — yikes.

It’s not like property crime is super low in Darby either — each year, residents face a 1 in 44 chance of having their property damaged or stolen. Making it a good practice to check you still have all your valuables when you leave a show at Tower Theater.

Plymouth, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Doug Kerr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 5,747
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,026 (Fourth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,018 (30th most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Plymouth: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living

Plymouth may be known as the Gateway to Luzerne County, but it’s also the gateway to an uncomfortable amount of crime. The 1.2 square mile borough punches significantly above its weight class in terms of crime. Plymouth has the fourth highest violent crime rate in Pennsylvania.

Residents of Plymouth also have a 1 in 49 chance of being robbed or having their property damaged over a year, so it’s not the sort of place you want to leave your house unlocked, either.

10. Swatara

Source: Public Domain

Population: 26,643
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 360 (30th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,453 (Fifth most dangerous)
Murders: 3
More on Swatara:

Swatara Township is the least violent place to feature on this list, but when it comes to property crime, I don’t envy the workload of the Swatara Township Police Department.

Swatara Township experienced the fifth highest rate of property crime in Pennsylvania for 2022, with more than two property crimes happening each day, on average. The vast majority of those cases were larceny, so keep an eye on your valuables when you’re going about your business in Swatara Township.

Swatara Township is located a short drive east of Harrisburg.

Crime By City In Pennsylvania

Rank City Population Total Crimes Per 100K Violent Crimes Per 100K Property Crimes Per 100K Murders
1 Philadelphia 1,555,812 5,362 1,041 4,321 514
2 Chester 33,905 5,276 1,757 3,518 27
3 McKeesport 20,765 5,176 1,945 3,231 10
4 Pottstown 22,705 4,545 911 3,633 7
5 Wilkinsburg 15,389 4,054 987 3,067 16
6 New Kensington 12,273 3,764 668 3,096 1
7 York 44,901 3,269 710 2,558 15
8 Darby 9,256 3,154 929 2,225 3
9 Plymouth 5,747 3,045 1,026 2,018 0
10 Swatara 26,643 3,813 360 3,453 3
11 Allentown 121,855 3,165 490 2,674 10
12 Stowe 6,141 2,898 586 2,312 4
13 Erie 93,363 2,871 607 2,264 5
14 Carnegie 7,828 3,104 421 2,682 0
15 Penn Hills 40,809 2,864 512 2,352 10
16 Selinsgrove 5,962 2,834 419 2,415 0
17 Chambersburg 21,131 3,071 350 2,721 6
18 Harrisburg 49,244 2,635 856 1,778 23
19 Crafton 6,178 3,415 242 3,172 0
20 Butler 12,901 2,557 480 2,077 0
21 Altoona 43,429 2,590 771 1,819 0
22 Lebanon 25,959 2,696 315 2,380 1
23 Norristown 35,888 2,463 451 2,011 9
24 Warren 9,054 2,562 839 1,722 0
25 Hanover 15,707 2,533 299 2,234 0
26 Lehighton 5,309 2,279 546 1,732 0
27 South Strabane 9,464 5,166 169 4,997 0
28 Lansdowne 10,621 2,890 207 2,683 0
29 Catasauqua 6,619 2,341 256 2,084 0
30 Caln 14,363 2,367 243 2,123 0
31 West Manchester 18,860 3,160 180 2,979 1
32 Indiana 12,974 2,135 855 1,279 0
33 Scranton 75,798 2,098 408 1,690 1
34 Swissvale 8,652 2,253 242 2,011 1
35 Wyomissing 10,504 2,427 209 2,218 1
36 Sandy 10,445 2,067 296 1,771 0
37 Wilkes-Barre 44,497 2,009 397 1,611 1
38 West Norriton 15,650 2,000 306 1,693 3
39 Springettsbury 26,888 3,112 130 2,982 0
40 Upper Chichester 16,925 2,038 206 1,831 0
41 Aliquippa 8,780 1,583 432 1,150 2
42 Mechanicsburg 8,994 2,045 177 1,867 0
43 DuBois 7,319 1,789 232 1,557 0
44 Bristol 53,508 1,865 220 1,644 1
45 Rostraver 11,368 2,207 149 2,058 2
46 Newberry 15,885 2,039 163 1,875 0
47 East Lampeter 26,642 1,955 165 1,790 0
48 Tyrone 5,160 1,763 213 1,550 0
49 Carlisle 20,237 1,625 222 1,403 2
50 Waynesboro 10,925 1,473 247 1,226 3

Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania for 2024?

Every year the FBI release two crime datasets on cities in Pennsylvania. First a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in Pennsylvania, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.

For our analysis, we focused on the 2022 data, specifically the 2022 Crime In The United States Report for Pennsylvania.

So what criteria did we use? Have a look:

  • Violent Crimes Per Capita
  • Property Crimes Per Capita

In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Pennsylvania cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 138 cities in Pennsylvania.

We then ranked each city from 1 to 138 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.

Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.

Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Pennsylvania — Philadelphia. Any ties went to the smaller city.

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. It is our tenth time ranking the most dangerous places to live in Pennsylvania and is updated for 2024.

Most Dangerous Places To Live In Pennsylvania FAQs

No, Pennsylvania is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #19 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in Pennsylvania ranks 24th most dangerous in the United States — 5.33% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Keystone State ranks 34th most dangerous in the United States — 15.88% better than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022.

Yes, Philadelphia is a dangerous city. Philadelphia ranks as the #35 most dangerous out of 328 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Philadelphia might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are. For example, Bustleton is the safest in Philadelphia, while Haddington-Carroll Park is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats.

Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Philadelphia ranks 34th highest in America — 88.14% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 36th highest in the United States — 58.36% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022 and that no city in America is ‘dangerous’. Despite the uptick in murders, it’s nothing like you’d see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.

Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In Pennsylvania

Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania Graph

Click To Enlarge

Summary: Locking It All Up In Pennsylvania

So what is the most dangerous city in Pennsylvania? After analyzing 138 cities in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Pennsylvania based on the most recently reported FBI data — 2022.

The latest FBI crime data shows that Philadelphia ranks as the most dangerous city in Pennsylvania for 2024.

The most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania are .

We want to point out again that there’s still safes places in Philadelphia and that this isn’t a comment on the people that live there. So please don’t beat us up.

What is the most dangerous place in Pennsylvania for 2024? The most dangerous place in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia.

What are the circumstances that make these Pennsylvania cities unsafe? Not enough jobs, low wages, drugs, gangs, and, in PA’s case, the war between Steeler and Eagles fans.

If you’re curious to see how your Pennsylvania town faired, check out the complete list of places in Pennsylvania at the bottom.

Learn more about the safest places in Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.

Here are the safest cities in Pennsylvania:

  1. Collegeville (Pop. 5,115)
  2. West Cocalico (Pop. 7,446)
  3. West Vincent (Pop. 5,887)
  4. Northampton (Pop. 39,171)
  5. South Londonderry (Pop. 8,833)
  6. Dallas (Pop. 9,354)
  7. Economy (Pop. 9,024)
  8. Lower Salford (Pop. 15,534)
  9. Buckingham (Pop. 20,279)
  10. Luzerne (Pop. 5,896)

For more Pennsylvania reading, check out:

References

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

16 thoughts on “The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania

  1. I’m surprised Johnstown isn’t ranked higher! Violent crime such as shootings and stabbing a are still too frequent here! I work in a hospital and see the traumas all the time! Drugs have caused 80% of this problem!

  2. Just to clarify, a majority of people left Johnstown after the steel mills closed. The increase in crime has only been around for the last 5 years. In an effort to bring people back and try to generate revenue from it, the city added halfway housing, a methadone clinic, and has been known to advertise low income housing in rougher cities like Philadelphia and even out of state.
    Most of the drug related crime is funneling in from states like New York, New Jersey, Ohio. It’s a small town, most residents would rather move than try to save this dying town. It’s sad, this poor town is looking and feeling more and more like Detroit.
    I still hold out some hope for this place though.

  3. The reason why crime continues to increase worldwide is because most people are not born again Christians.Also there is a percentage of people worldwide who claim they are born again who are not being fully faithful to the Lord Gods word.The holy bible predicted SIN will intensify.Jesus Christ will come down on a cloud in great power and glory.He will resurrect the true Christians from there graves.These Christians will meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the sky.People who are not saved will be left behind.Some Christians are hypocrites.Some unsaved are hypocrites.

  4. Crime continues to increase every year in cities worldwide because of SIN!Most people throughout the world are not Christians.There are those claiming to be Christians worldwide.A percentage are not being faithful to the Lord God.What are we so afraid of?Are we ashamed of Jesus Christ?Are we afraid of changing?The Holy bible says it will get worst!

  5. Truth has never been lost, we left it. We never had a right to hate others through jealous, bigotry, racism or any other type of hatred. The only time we are justified is in proverbs 8 :13. Google it! Repent ! Do a self examination.

  6. Any list of dangerous places in Pennsylvania that doesn’t have Killadelphia at the top of the list is not to be taken seriously. Any site publishing a list that can’t be taken seriously is also not to be taken seriously.

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