A+
66%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
87%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
61%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleWatsontown/100k peoplePennsylvania/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime16n/a (estimate)7251,6812,119
Murder0n/a0.05.05.0
Rape0n/a0.027.837.5
Robbery0n/a0.051.460.6
Assault1n/a45.3161.4256.1
Violent crime1n/a (estimate)45246359
Burglary0n/a0.0116.7229.2
Theft14n/a634.31,129.81,272.1
Vehicle theft1n/a45.3188.5258.8
Property crime15n/a (estimate)6801,4351,760

Watsontown crime map

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The Watsontown crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Watsontown as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Watsontown crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Watsontown crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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An Overview of Crime Rates in Watsontown, PA

The Watsontown crime rates are 65.8% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 1 violent crimes in Watsontown (45 per 100,000 people), which is 87.4% lower than the national average and there were a total of 15 property crimes (680 per 100,000 residents) which is 61.4% lower than average.

Watsontown has a crime rate of 725, which is considerably less than the national average of 2119. This results in Watsontown being one of the safest places to live across the United States. The crime rate is based on the total number of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

With only 45 incidents per 100,000 people, Watsontown boasts an exceptionally low rate of violent crimes, positioning it as one of the safest cities in the United States. Given these low violent crime rates, Watsontown has become an appealing destination for individuals in search of a secure and welcoming place to establish their new home.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Watsontown reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

Since 1990, property crime rates per 100,000 people in the United States have steadily decreased. Recently, the average did increase slightly. Having said that, Watsontown has a property crime rate that is well below the national average with only 680 reported property crimes compared to the national average of 1760. Based on this report, Watsontown remains a very safe place to live with regards to property crime.

Is Watsontown a Safe Place to Live?

Is Watsontown 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, Watsontown has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 66%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.04 daily incidents, encompassing 0 violent crimes and 0.04 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Watsontown as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Watsontown Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Watsontown. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Watsontown has decreased by 59%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 88.9%, while property crime has decreased by 50%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Watsontown.

Potential Causes for Crime in Watsontown

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Watsontown crime rates. In Watsontown, the poverty rate stands at 7.7%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

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 Watsontown, 82.7% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

In Watsontown, the average rental rates are $1,077 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Watsontown crime rates are 66% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Watsontown are 87% lower than the national average
      • In Watsontown you have a 1 in 138 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Watsontown is safer than 81% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Watsontown has decreased by 45%

      Watsontown, PA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Watsontown (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Watsontown (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Watsontown

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Watsontown is 1 in 2207
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Watsontown is 1 in 148
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Watsontown is 1 in 138

        Year Over Year Crime In Watsontown (per 100,000 people)

        Watsontown police department

        Item Watsontown Pennsylvania National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)514,701558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.11.83.3
        There are a total of 5 Watsontown police officers. This results in 2.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 16.3% greater than the Pennsylvania average and 34.7% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Pennsylvania

        State Total offenders Pennsylvania /100K National /100K
        Pennsylvania21,558176266
        There are a total of 21,558 sex offenders in Pennsylvania. This yields a total of 176 sex offenders in Pennsylvania per 100,000 residents which is 34% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        New Berlin, PA793000
        Riverside, PA2,2800250250
        Linntown, PA1,86238221258
        Hughesville, PA2,48495428523
        Faxon, PA1,34785495580
        Duboistown, PA1,38691530620
        Dewart, PA1,33495556651
        Watsontown, PA2,19245680725

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Milan, IN2,192138609748
        Hertford, NC2,1921708881,057
        Ferdinand, IN2,192105463568
        Dousman, WI2,19160251311
        Coventry Lake, CT2,19347473520
        Watsontown, PA2,19245680725
        Source: The Watsontown, PA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.