| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Steelton/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 146 | n/a (estimate) | 2,309 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 15.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 1 | n/a | 15.8 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 4 | n/a | 63.3 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 47 | n/a | 743.4 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 53 | n/a (estimate) | 838 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 4 | n/a | 63.3 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 63 | n/a | 996.5 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 26 | n/a | 411.3 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 93 | n/a (estimate) | 1,471 | 1,435 | 1,760 |

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Steelton is 9% higher 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 Steelton, there were 53 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 838 per 100,000 individuals, 133.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 93 property crimes, amounting to 1471 per 100,000 residents, 16.4% lower than the U.S. average.
When assessing the total crime rate in Steelton per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Steelton, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
With a violent crime rate of 838 crimes per 100,000 residents, Steelton is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Steelton ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 120 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Steelton has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 1 murders in Steelton, which is 16 murders per 100,000 people.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Steelton ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 26 vehicle thefts, amounting to 411 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Steelton within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 244.
What do the local residents think about crime in Steelton? Well, based on a recent survey of 14 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 21% of Steelton residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 79% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Steelton is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Steelton has a total crime rate that is 9% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.4 daily crimes (0.15 violent daily crimes and 0.25 daily property crimes) in Steelton.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Steelton. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Steelton has decreased by 15.1%. Violent crimes have increased by 35.9%, while property crimes have decreased by 30.1%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Steelton, 83.2% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Steelton, the cost of living is 6.64% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
The median home price in Steelton is $160,348, 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.

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| Item | Steelton | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 9 | 14,701 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.5 | 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 |
| Shiremanstown, PA | 1,644 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Colony Park, PA | 1,159 | 43 | 248 | 291 |
| Marysville, PA | 2,607 | 112 | 224 | 336 |
| New Cumberland, PA | 7,524 | 53 | 437 | 489 |
| Bainbridge, PA | 1,440 | 77 | 449 | 527 |
| Palmdale, PA | 1,397 | 84 | 489 | 573 |
| Dauphin, PA | 1,119 | 88 | 512 | 600 |
| Steelton, PA | 6,152 | 838 | 1,471 | 2,309 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Fort Washington, PA | 6,152 | 80 | 467 | 547 |
| Charles Town, WV | 6,151 | 74 | 1,234 | 1,308 |
| Highland Lakes, AL | 6,151 | 117 | 509 | 626 |
| District Heights, MD | 6,150 | 780 | 1,681 | 2,461 |
| Snyderville, UT | 6,150 | 75 | 458 | 533 |
| Steelton, PA | 6,152 | 838 | 1,471 | 2,309 |