Safest cities in Pennsylvania

Known as the 'Keystone State,' Pennsylvania is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Located in the northeastern United States, Pennsylvania boasts diverse geography that includes the Appalachian Mountains, fertile farmlands, and bustling urban centers. The state's economy is driven by industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and education. Philadelphia, the state's largest city, is a major cultural and economic hub known for its historic sites, vibrant arts scene, and renowned universities. Pittsburgh, another key city, is recognized for its industrial heritage and innovative technology sector. Pennsylvania offers a variety of recreational activities, from exploring the Pocono Mountains to visiting the many museums and historical landmarks.

Low crime rates are essential for maintaining a high quality of life, making the safest cities in Pennsylvania highly desirable. Safety fosters a sense of community and stability, allowing residents to thrive in a secure environment. Factors contributing to the safety of Pennsylvania's cities include strong law enforcement, active community policing, and engaged local governments. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a transparent and reliable measure of safety. This emphasis on security allows residents to enjoy Pennsylvania's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to live and work.

West Mifflin Population: 19,742 371 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 42 Property Crime / 100k: 329 chance of being a victim: 1 in 269

West Mifflin proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Pennsylvania. With only 371 crimes per 100,000 people, West Mifflin has a crime rate that is 81% lower than the Pennsylvania average. This equates to an average of 0.19 crimes per day and a 1 in 269 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Hatboro Population: 7,458 717 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 49 Property Crime / 100k: 668 chance of being a victim: 1 in 139

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Hatboro comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Pennsylvania with a crime rate of 717 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 109 counts of burglary, 523 counts of theft, 36 counts of vehicle theft, 12 counts of assault, 12 counts of robbery, 24 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Hatboro, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Sunbury Population: 9,446 727 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 166 Property Crime / 100k: 561 chance of being a victim: 1 in 137

With a population of 9,446 and a total crime rate of 727 per 100,000 residents, Sunbury is the 3rd safest city in Pennsylvania. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 90% lower than the Pennsylvania average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Brentwood Population: 9,319 743 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 92 Property Crime / 100k: 652 chance of being a victim: 1 in 135

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Brentwood is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 743, 90% lower than the Pennsylvania average. This amounts to 0.20 crimes per day and a 1 in 135 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Brentwood a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Forest Hills Population: 6,333 783 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 32 Property Crime / 100k: 751 chance of being a victim: 1 in 128

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Forest Hills consistently ranks high in safety. In Forest Hills, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 783, which is 94% lower than the state average.

New Cumberland Population: 7,305 830 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 764 chance of being a victim: 1 in 120

New Cumberland has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Pennsylvania. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 830 crimes per 100,000 people, 92% lower than the Pennsylvania average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 13 reports of burglary, 725 reports of theft, 26 reports of vehicle theft, 26 reports of assault, 13 reports of robbery, 13 reports of rape and 13 reports of homicide.

Palmyra Population: 7,541 907 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 78 Property Crime / 100k: 830 chance of being a victim: 1 in 110

Palmyra ranks as the seventh safest city in Pennsylvania and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 110 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.19 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Palmyra’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Pennsylvania.

California Population: 6,306 923 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 205 Property Crime / 100k: 718 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, California is the 8th safest city in Pennsylvania. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 94% lower than the Pennsylvania average, reporting a total of 923 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Camp Hill Population: 7,926 939 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 49 Property Crime / 100k: 890 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Camp Hill is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Pennsylvania, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 939 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Shamokin Population: 7,007 1,004 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 189 Property Crime / 100k: 815 chance of being a victim: 1 in 100

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Pennsylvania, is Shamokin. With a low rate of crime that included 218 burglaries, 596 thefts, 0 vehicle thefts, 102 assaults, 44 robberies, 29 rapes and 15 homicides, the overall crime rate was 93% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Pennsylvania

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	West Mifflin	19,742	42	329	371
2	Hatboro	7,458	49	668	717
3	Sunbury	9,446	166	561	727
4	Brentwood	9,319	92	652	743
5	Forest Hills	6,333	32	751	783
6	New Cumberland	7,305	66	764	830
7	Palmyra	7,541	78	830	907
8	California	6,306	205	718	923
9	Camp Hill	7,926	49	890	939
10	Shamokin	7,007	189	815	1,004
11	Jeannette	9,146	753	347	1,100
12	Bellevue	8,088	161	1,112	1,273
13	Coraopolis	5,448	296	999	1,295
14	Latrobe	7,888	492	807	1,298
15	Shippensburg	5,621	127	1,286	1,413
16	Berwick	10,003	164	1,303	1,467
17	Waynesboro	10,898	247	1,227	1,474
18	Kingston	12,859	84	1,454	1,539
19	Wilson	7,809	146	1,428	1,575
20	Carlisle	19,188	222	1,403	1,626
21	Wilkes-Barre	40,805	398	1,611	2,009
22	Scranton	76,997	409	1,690	2,099
23	Norristown	34,392	451	2,012	2,463
24	Erie	96,616	607	2,264	2,872
25	Plymouth	5,780	1,027	2,018	3,045
26	York	44,019	710	2,559	3,269
27	Philadelphia	1,581,531	1,041	4,321	5,363

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Pennsylvania is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Pennsylvania cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.