| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Reading/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,734 | n/a (estimate) | 1,772 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 7.2 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 34 | n/a | 34.7 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 98 | n/a | 100.1 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 191 | n/a | 195.2 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 330 | n/a (estimate) | 337 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 228 | n/a | 233.0 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 953 | n/a | 973.8 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 223 | n/a | 227.9 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,404 | n/a (estimate) | 1,435 | 1,435 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Reading is 16.4% lower than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Reading, there were 330 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 337 per 100,000 individuals, 6.1% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 1404 property crimes, amounting to 1435 per 100,000 residents, 18.5% lower than the U.S. average.
Reading exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 337 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 359. This uniformity underscores Reading as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Reading. Based on the results of the surveys (110 responses), 20% of people felt that there was very little crime in Reading and felt safe walking alone at night. While 80% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether Reading is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Reading has an overall crime rate that is 16% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 4.75 daily occurrences, comprising 0.9 violent crimes and 3.85 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Reading as a potential place to establish residency.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Reading, 59.3% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
In Reading, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.16 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
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. Reading has a median home price of $141,735, 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 | Reading | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 191 | 14,701 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.2 | 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 |
| Bernville, PA | 903 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Womelsdorf, PA | 2,997 | 35 | 69 | 104 |
| Spring Ridge, PA | 1,030 | 35 | 201 | 236 |
| Alleghenyville, PA | 1,045 | 35 | 201 | 236 |
| Elverson, PA | 1,408 | 44 | 259 | 304 |
| Mohnton, PA | 3,123 | 34 | 309 | 343 |
| Muhlenberg Park, PA | 1,354 | 55 | 323 | 378 |
| Reading, PA | 90,906 | 337 | 1,435 | 1,772 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Champaign, IL | 90,911 | 502 | 2,279 | 2,781 |
| Palm Coast, FL | 91,057 | 235 | 1,250 | 1,484 |
| Fort Smith, AR | 90,724 | 842 | 3,684 | 4,527 |
| Newton, MA | 90,578 | 49 | 599 | 648 |
| Ogden, UT | 90,520 | 505 | 1,925 | 2,431 |
| Reading, PA | 90,906 | 337 | 1,435 | 1,772 |
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