| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Wilkes-Barre/100k people | Pennsylvania/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 880 | n/a (estimate) | 1,989 | 1,681 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 4 | n/a | 9.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 19 | n/a | 42.9 | 27.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 25 | n/a | 56.5 | 51.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 143 | n/a | 323.1 | 161.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 191 | n/a (estimate) | 432 | 246 | 359 |
| Burglary | 73 | n/a | 165.0 | 116.7 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 567 | n/a | 1,281.2 | 1,129.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 49 | n/a | 110.7 | 188.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 689 | n/a (estimate) | 1,557 | 1,435 | 1,760 |
The Wilkes-Barre crime rates are 6.2% 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 191 violent crimes in Wilkes-Barre (432 per 100,000 people), which is 20.2% higher than the national average and there were a total of 689 property crimes (1557 per 100,000 residents) which is 11.5% lower than average.
The Wilkes-Barre crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Wilkes-Barre, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.
Wilkes-Barre maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Wilkes-Barre, 1557 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1760 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.
What do the local residents think about crime in Wilkes-Barre? Well, based on a recent survey of 73 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 26% of Wilkes-Barre residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 74% 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 Wilkes-Barre 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. Wilkes-Barre has a total crime rate that is 6% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.41 daily crimes (0.52 violent daily crimes and 1.89 daily property crimes) in Wilkes-Barre.
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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre has decreased by 19.6% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 21.1% and property crime has decreased by 19.1%.
The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Wilkes-Barre crime rate. The poverty level in Wilkes-Barre is 23.3%, while the national average is 15.1%.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Wilkes-Barre crime rates. Wilkes-Barre registers a population density of 6016.1 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
Wilkes-Barre has an average rental rate of $1,127 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. In areas with high rental costs, some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions. Overcrowding can lead to increased stress and tension, which may contribute to domestic disputes and related property or violent crimes. Addressing affordable housing and economic mobility can be important strategies for reducing crime in such areas.
| Item | Wilkes-Barre | Pennsylvania | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 85 | 14,701 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.0 | 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 |
| Forty Fort, PA | 4,162 | 0 | 94 | 94 |
| Sugar Notch, PA | 999 | 0 | 100 | 100 |
| Harveys Lake, PA | 2,875 | 35 | 71 | 106 |
| Larksville, PA | 4,578 | 23 | 211 | 235 |
| Avoca, PA | 2,698 | 0 | 277 | 277 |
| Laflin, PA | 1,481 | 57 | 332 | 389 |
| Chase, PA | 1,051 | 57 | 333 | 390 |
| Wilkes-Barre, PA | 41,994 | 432 | 1,557 | 1,989 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lancaster, OH | 41,994 | 405 | 2,125 | 2,531 |
| Shelton, CT | 42,033 | 42 | 709 | 751 |
| Hickory, NC | 42,059 | 407 | 2,824 | 3,232 |
| Hutchinson, KS | 42,073 | 367 | 2,230 | 2,597 |
| Fitchburg, MA | 41,913 | 487 | 1,344 | 1,831 |
| Wilkes-Barre, PA | 41,994 | 432 | 1,557 | 1,989 |
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