Safest cities in Pennsylvania

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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.

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Bellefonte Population: 6,276 0 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 0 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Bellefonte proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Pennsylvania. With only 0 crimes per 100,000 people, Bellefonte has a crime rate that is n/a the Pennsylvania average. This equates to an average of 0.00 crimes per day and a 1 in N/A 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.

Turtle Creek Population: 5,161 62 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 21 Property Crime / 100k: 41 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Turtle Creek comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Pennsylvania with a crime rate of 62 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 21 counts of burglary, 0 counts of theft, 21 counts of vehicle theft, 21 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Turtle Creek, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Plum Population: 27,137 214 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 61 Property Crime / 100k: 153 chance of being a victim: 1 in 467

With a population of 27,137 and a total crime rate of 214 per 100,000 residents, Plum is the 3rd safest city in Pennsylvania. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 74% 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.

Murrysville Population: 19,692 256 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 24 Property Crime / 100k: 232 chance of being a victim: 1 in 390

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Murrysville 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 256, 79% lower than the Pennsylvania average. This amounts to 0.15 crimes per day and a 1 in 390 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 Murrysville a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Canonsburg Population: 8,815 271 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 63 Property Crime / 100k: 209 chance of being a victim: 1 in 369

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Canonsburg consistently ranks high in safety. In Canonsburg, 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 271, which is 90% lower than the state average.

Franklin Park Population: 14,701 289 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 74 Property Crime / 100k: 215 chance of being a victim: 1 in 346

Franklin Park 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 289 crimes per 100,000 people, 85% lower than the Pennsylvania average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 13 reports of burglary, 202 reports of theft, 0 reports of vehicle theft, 20 reports of assault, 7 reports of robbery, 47 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Selinsgrove Population: 5,923 290 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 36 Property Crime / 100k: 254 chance of being a victim: 1 in 345

Selinsgrove ranks as the seventh safest city in Pennsylvania and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 345 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.04 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. Selinsgrove’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Pennsylvania.

Fox Chapel Population: 5,104 292 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 292 chance of being a victim: 1 in 342

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Fox Chapel is the 8th safest city in Pennsylvania. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 95% lower than the Pennsylvania average, reporting a total of 292 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.

Sunbury Population: 9,446 295 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 242 chance of being a victim: 1 in 339

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Sunbury 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 295 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Lower Burrell Population: 11,158 322 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 87 Property Crime / 100k: 235 chance of being a victim: 1 in 311

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Pennsylvania, is Lower Burrell. With a low rate of crime that included 26 burglaries, 183 thefts, 26 vehicle thefts, 87 assaults, 0 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 88% 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	Bellefonte	6,276	0	0	0
2	Turtle Creek	5,161	21	41	62
3	Plum	27,137	61	153	214
4	Murrysville	19,692	24	232	256
5	Canonsburg	8,815	63	209	271
6	Franklin Park	14,701	74	215	289
7	Selinsgrove	5,923	36	254	290
8	Fox Chapel	5,104	0	292	292
9	Sunbury	9,446	53	242	295
10	Lower Burrell	11,158	87	235	322
11	Castle Shannon	8,249	25	323	348
12	Northampton	9,869	29	365	394
13	Carbondale	8,438	101	304	405
14	Olyphant	5,037	37	372	409
15	Mount Joy	8,204	24	407	431
16	Lititz	9,503	10	438	448
17	South Park Township	13,470	37	418	455
18	Millersville	8,309	10	470	480
19	New Cumberland	7,305	53	437	489
20	Phoenixville	16,961	84	443	527
21	Pittston	7,729	65	496	562
22	Hatboro	7,458	73	508	581
23	Titusville	5,200	292	292	584
24	Sayre	5,403	186	403	590
25	Archbald	7,003	133	466	599
26	Whitehall	13,437	97	518	615
27	Old Forge	7,909	139	497	636
28	Hollidaysburg	5,675	92	549	641
29	Kutztown	5,051	168	480	648
30	Dormont	8,335	77	574	651
31	Grove City	7,829	168	491	658
32	Norwood	5,957	170	494	664
33	South Williamsport	6,129	41	643	685
34	Bethel Park	32,310	59	631	690
35	Collegeville	5,105	73	623	696
36	Hellertown	5,835	114	589	703
37	Perkasie	8,646	129	579	708
38	Palmerton	5,317	18	694	711
39	Kennett Square	6,182	253	461	713
40	Ridley Park	7,042	97	625	722
41	Hazleton	24,804	233	492	725
42	Elizabethtown	11,445	83	644	727
43	Shillington	5,306	110	623	732
44	Huntingdon	6,950	43	693	736
45	Swarthmore	6,339	92	658	750
46	Nazareth	5,705	49	709	758
47	Punxsutawney	5,747	162	611	773
48	Gettysburg	7,684	144	633	777
49	Middletown	9,410	249	530	779
50	New Holland	5,479	23	760	783

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.