| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Johnstown/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 648 | n/a (estimate) | 3,221 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 6 | n/a | 29.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 10 | n/a | 49.7 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 27 | n/a | 134.2 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 75 | n/a | 372.8 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 118 | n/a (estimate) | 586 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 92 | n/a | 457.3 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 407 | n/a | 2,022.9 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 31 | n/a | 154.1 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 530 | n/a (estimate) | 2,634 | 1,435 | 1,760 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Johnstown crime rate is higher than the national average by 52%. Specifically, there were 118 violent crimes in Johnstown, equivalent to 586 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 63.3%. Furthermore, Johnstown recorded 530 property crimes, amounting to 2634 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 49.7%.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Johnstown ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Johnstown, there were a total of 6 murders, translating to 30 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
What do the local residents think about crime in Johnstown? Well, based on a recent survey of 50 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 24% of Johnstown residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 76% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Johnstown 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 Johnstown crime rate is 52% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.78 crimes per day - 0.32 violent crimes and 1.45 property crimes.
Johnstown has a population density of 3390.5 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Johnstown crime rates.
In Johnstown, the cost of living is 19.55% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Johnstown has a median home price of $65,930, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
| Item | Johnstown | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 41 | 14,701 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.8 | 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 |
| Loretto, PA | 1,251 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Homer City, PA | 1,642 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Boswell, PA | 1,452 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jennerstown, PA | 1,215 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Portage, PA | 2,563 | 0 | 127 | 127 |
| Hooversville, PA | 716 | 0 | 331 | 331 |
| Geistown, PA | 2,511 | 0 | 525 | 525 |
| Johnstown, PA | 19,980 | 586 | 2,634 | 3,221 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Evergreen Park, IL | 19,979 | 123 | 5,834 | 5,957 |
| Murray, KY | 19,988 | 99 | 1,429 | 1,528 |
| Matteson, IL | 19,990 | 261 | 1,546 | 1,807 |
| Montrose, CO | 19,970 | 235 | 2,216 | 2,451 |
| Affton, MO | 19,993 | 375 | 1,577 | 1,953 |
| Johnstown, PA | 19,980 | 586 | 2,634 | 3,221 |
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