| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Scranton/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,231 | n/a (estimate) | 1,627 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 9.2 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 70 | n/a | 92.5 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 24 | n/a | 31.7 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 112 | n/a | 148.0 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 213 | n/a (estimate) | 281 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 146 | n/a | 192.9 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 774 | n/a | 1,022.7 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 98 | n/a | 129.5 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,018 | n/a (estimate) | 1,345 | 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 Scranton is 23.3% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 213 violent crimes reported in Scranton, equivalent to 281 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 21.6%. Additionally, Scranton recorded 1018 property crimes, amounting to 1345 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 23.6%.
What do the local residents think about crime in Scranton? Well, based on a recent survey of 56 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 43% of Scranton residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 57% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Scranton 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, Scranton has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 23%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 3.37 daily incidents, encompassing 0.58 violent crimes and 2.79 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Scranton as a potential place to call home.
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 Scranton 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 Scranton has decreased by 7.3% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 26% and property crime has decreased by 2.1%.
In Scranton, the poverty rate currently stands at 21.8%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Scranton crime rates.
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 Scranton crime rates. The population density in Scranton is 3156.4 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
The median home price in Scranton is $192,305, 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.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Scranton | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 170 | 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 |
| Waymart, PA | 1,310 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mayfield, PA | 1,776 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forty Fort, PA | 4,162 | 0 | 94 | 94 |
| Sugar Notch, PA | 999 | 0 | 100 | 100 |
| Jermyn, PA | 2,119 | 47 | 94 | 141 |
| Larksville, PA | 4,578 | 23 | 211 | 235 |
| Glenburn, PA | 1,053 | 36 | 211 | 247 |
| Scranton, PA | 79,887 | 281 | 1,345 | 1,627 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Racine, WI | 79,849 | 383 | 1,112 | 1,495 |
| Kendall, FL | 79,660 | 123 | 653 | 776 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 79,653 | 720 | 3,045 | 3,765 |
| Waldorf, MD | 79,554 | 450 | 2,196 | 2,646 |
| Rapid City, SD | 79,549 | 719 | 3,792 | 4,511 |
| Scranton, PA | 79,887 | 281 | 1,345 | 1,627 |
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