| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Erie/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,129 | n/a (estimate) | 2,305 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 5.4 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 38 | n/a | 41.1 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 62 | n/a | 67.1 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 242 | n/a | 262.0 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 347 | n/a (estimate) | 376 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 180 | n/a | 194.8 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,520 | n/a | 1,645.4 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 82 | n/a | 88.8 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,782 | n/a (estimate) | 1,929 | 1,435 | 1,760 |
The Erie crime rates are 8.8% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 347 violent crimes in Erie (376 per 100,000 people), which is 4.6% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1782 property crimes (1929 per 100,000 residents) which is 9.6% higher than average.
The Erie crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Erie, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.
The violent crime rate in Erie closely mirrors the national average among all cities that reported crime, with 376 incidents per 100,000 people. The national average for violent crime per 100,000 people was 359. This consistency highlights Erie as a community where safety standards are in line with the broader national landscape, providing residents with a reliable sense of security.
Erie exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 1929 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1760 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that Erie maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Erie. Based on the results of the surveys (115 responses), 42% of people felt that there was very little crime in Erie and felt safe walking alone at night. While 55% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Erie a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Erie has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 9%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 5.83 daily incidents, encompassing 0.95 violent crimes and 4.88 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Erie as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Erie. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Erie has decreased by 7.2%. Violent crimes have decreased by 27.1%, while property crimes have decreased by 1.9%. 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 areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Erie currently has an unemployment rate of 5.1%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Erie, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 1.95, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Erie, the average rental rates are $1,100 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.
| Item | Erie | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 199 | 14,701 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 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 |
| Avonia, PA | 1,555 | 83 | 485 | 569 |
| Fairview, PA | 2,853 | 96 | 560 | 656 |
| Waterford, PA | 1,315 | 98 | 570 | 667 |
| Girard, PA | 3,030 | 102 | 614 | 717 |
| Lake City, PA | 2,954 | 113 | 662 | 775 |
| Lawrence Park, PA | 3,928 | 146 | 854 | 1,000 |
| North East, PA | 4,185 | 177 | 1,031 | 1,208 |
| Erie, PA | 100,285 | 376 | 1,929 | 2,305 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Edinburg, TX | 100,567 | 270 | 1,757 | 2,027 |
| Rio Rancho, NM | 100,592 | 318 | 1,339 | 1,658 |
| Federal Way, WA | 100,624 | 545 | 4,372 | 4,918 |
| Nampa, ID | 100,694 | 353 | 742 | 1,095 |
| San Marcos, CA | 99,851 | 222 | 660 | 882 |
| Erie, PA | 100,285 | 376 | 1,929 | 2,305 |
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