| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | New Kensington/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 338 | n/a (estimate) | 2,857 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 8.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 3 | n/a | 25.4 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 8 | n/a | 67.6 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 42 | n/a | 355.0 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 54 | n/a (estimate) | 456 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 44 | n/a | 371.9 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 220 | n/a | 1,859.4 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 20 | n/a | 169.0 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 284 | n/a (estimate) | 2,400 | 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 New Kensington is 34.8% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 54 violent crimes reported in New Kensington, equivalent to 456 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 27.1%. Additionally, New Kensington recorded 284 property crimes, amounting to 2400 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 36.4%.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in New Kensington. Based on the results of the surveys (20 responses), 30% of people felt that there was very little crime in New Kensington and felt safe walking alone at night. While 70% 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington crime rate is 35% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.93 crimes per day - 0.15 violent crimes and 0.78 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in New Kensington crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in New Kensington has decreased by 13.3% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 16.9% and property crime has decreased by 12.6%.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower New Kensington crime rates. The population density in New Kensington is 3199 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
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 New Kensington, the cost of living is 10.77% lower than the national average.
The median home price in New Kensington is $193,332, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
| Item | New Kensington | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 22 | 14,701 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.7 | 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 |
| Mars, PA | 1,525 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Leechburg, PA | 1,419 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Delmont, PA | 2,621 | 0 | 38 | 38 |
| Turtle Creek, PA | 5,328 | 21 | 41 | 62 |
| Saxonburg, PA | 1,479 | 0 | 146 | 146 |
| Plum, PA | 28,078 | 61 | 153 | 214 |
| Blawnox, PA | 1,612 | 0 | 217 | 217 |
| New Kensington, PA | 12,633 | 456 | 2,400 | 2,857 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lake City, FL | 12,638 | 308 | 1,637 | 1,945 |
| Cottonwood, AZ | 12,640 | 223 | 1,168 | 1,391 |
| Ringwood, NJ | 12,642 | 34 | 181 | 215 |
| Waconia, MN | 12,623 | 131 | 818 | 949 |
| Effingham, IL | 12,644 | 220 | 1,976 | 2,197 |
| New Kensington, PA | 12,633 | 456 | 2,400 | 2,857 |
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