| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Chester/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 957 | n/a (estimate) | 2,819 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 20 | n/a | 58.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 20 | n/a | 58.9 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 66 | n/a | 194.4 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 176 | n/a | 518.5 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 282 | n/a (estimate) | 831 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 113 | n/a | 332.9 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 422 | n/a | 1,243.2 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 140 | n/a | 412.4 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 675 | n/a (estimate) | 1,989 | 1,435 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Chester is 33% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 282 violent crimes reported in Chester, equivalent to 831 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 131.4%. Additionally, Chester recorded 675 property crimes, amounting to 1989 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 13%.
Chester has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 831 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Chester falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 121 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Chester has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 20 murders in Chester, which is 59 murders per 100,000 people.
The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Chester is very similar to the national average. Chester had a property crime rate of 1989, while the national average was 1760. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Chester faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 140 vehicle thefts, translating to 412 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Chester in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 243.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Chester. Based on the results of the surveys (72 responses), 13% of people felt that there was very little crime in Chester and felt safe walking alone at night. While 88% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Chester a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Chester crime rate is 33% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 2.62 crimes per day - 0.77 violent crimes and 1.85 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Chester. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Chester has decreased by 35.7%. Violent crimes have decreased by 39.9%, while property crimes have decreased by 33.8%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
In Chester, 72.2% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Chester, the cost of living is 10.32% lower than the national average.
In Chester, the average rental rates are $1,339 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Chester | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 112 | 14,701 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.3 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Pennsylvania /100K | National /100K |
| Pennsylvania | 21,558 | 176 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Malvern, PA | 3,530 | 29 | 204 | 233 |
| Eagleview, PA | 1,920 | 35 | 201 | 236 |
| Devon, PA | 1,869 | 35 | 201 | 236 |
| Rose Valley, PA | 1,190 | 35 | 201 | 236 |
| Pitman, NJ | 8,979 | 22 | 286 | 308 |
| Berwyn, PA | 3,736 | 47 | 273 | 320 |
| Greenville, DE | 2,501 | 57 | 274 | 331 |
| Chester, PA | 35,117 | 831 | 1,989 | 2,819 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Newark, DE | 35,117 | 310 | 1,998 | 2,308 |
| Sun Prairie, WI | 35,107 | 184 | 1,410 | 1,594 |
| Montgomery Village, MD | 35,133 | 437 | 2,134 | 2,572 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 35,091 | 236 | 2,787 | 3,023 |
| Adelanto, CA | 35,081 | 565 | 995 | 1,560 |
| Chester, PA | 35,117 | 831 | 1,989 | 2,819 |
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