FBI Data Revealed the Most Dangerous Cities in Pennsylvania 2025

Crime rates have always played a pivotal role in shaping the safety and reputation of cities across the United States. Pennsylvania, known as the Keystone State, is a diverse region with bustling metropolises, historic communities, and peaceful rural landscapes. However, according to FBI data for 2025, several cities in Pennsylvania have emerged as some of the most dangerous places in the state. This in-depth article examines the top cities with the highest crime rates, analyzes statistics, discusses the underlying causes, and offers a closer look at community efforts to improve safety.

Understanding Crime in Pennsylvania

Overview of Crime Categories

FBI crime statistics categorize offenses into two primary types:

Violent Crimes: Include homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. These are crimes committed against people and are often used to gauge the danger level of a city.
Property Crimes: Include burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Although they may not involve direct physical harm, these crimes can deeply affect victims’ sense of security.

Trends in 2025

Pennsylvania’s statewide violent crime rate exceeded the national average in 2025, while certain cities recorded numbers that far surpassed both state and national benchmarks. Urban hubs, struggling with economic setbacks, opioid-related offenses, and organized property crime, were often at the forefront of these higher rates.

What Makes a City “Dangerous”?

When considering a city’s danger level, experts typically review:

Violent Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents
Recent Trends (increases or decreases)
Economic Conditions
Prevalence of Drug-Related Crime
Community Policing Efforts

A city’s population size, density, poverty level, and proximity to major highways or drug trafficking routes also contribute to fluctuations in crime.

The Most Dangerous Cities in Pennsylvania

Chester

Chester consistently tops the list of Pennsylvania’s most dangerous cities. This former industrial powerhouse now struggles with high unemployment, economic decline, and concentrated poverty. In 2025, Chester reported the highest violent crime rate in the state. Neighborhoods near the Delaware River remain hotspots for drug trafficking and violent incidents.

Violent crime rate: Over 16 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: Exceeds 50 per 1,000 residents
High-profile responses: Implementation of gunshot detection technology, micro-grant programs for home security

Philadelphia

As Pennsylvania’s largest city, Philadelphia’s sheer size contributes significantly to the state’s crime totals. Certain districts, such as Kensington, have been particularly affected by opioid use and property crime.

Violent crime rate: Approaches 14 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: Close to 48 per 1,000 residents
Notable statistics: Kensington accounts for a large share of narcotics-related offenses; ongoing vehicle break-ins near tourist and university areas

McKeesport

Located in Allegheny County, McKeesport is another city grappling with the aftermath of industrial decline.

Violent crime rate: Approximates 12 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: Exceeds 45 per 1,000 residents
Crime reduction efforts: Blight removal, increased foot patrol, and targeted outreach have shown localized reductions in assaults

Wilkinsburg

Wilkinsburg, a small municipality bordering Pittsburgh, struggles with high rates of burglary, theft, and violent offenses.

Violent crime rate: Among the state’s highest for cities outside major metros
Issues: Persistent poverty, property abandonment, and limited tax revenue constrain community revitalization

Allentown

As the state’s third-largest city, Allentown faces growing pains, with rising property crime and sporadic violent incidents.

Recent murder rate: Within the mid-single digits per 100,000 residents
Residents: Face a 1 in 43 chance of being victims of property crime
Challenges: Growing car theft and arson

Erie

Erie, nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, offers both the charm of a Great Lakes city and the struggles that often come with it.

Homicide rate: Higher than both the state and national average
Violent crime rate: Roughly 25% higher than the US average
Issues: Elevated levels of assault, burglary, and property theft

Reading

Reading, once an industrial hub, ranks high in both violent and property crime rates.

Community stressors: Economic disenfranchisement and drug trafficking
Crime trends: Notable for retail theft and home burglaries

Harrisburg

The state capital has seen a recent uptick in certain types of violent crime, driven by gang activity and drug markets.

Police initiatives: Increased neighborhood watch programs and partnerships with community leaders

York

York deals with the challenges of urban blight, gang-related violence, and cyclical poverty.

Property crime remains a source of concern
Violent crime rates have remained stable but above the state average

Scranton

Once a coal-mining powerhouse, Scranton is working to shed its image as a high-crime city.

Ongoing efforts: Smart policing and business district revitalization aim to change public perception

Crime Statistics Table: Key Pennsylvania Cities

City	Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000)	Property Crime Rate (per 1,000)	Notable Characteristics
Chester	16.4	52.8	Industrial decline, drug trafficking
Philadelphia	13.9	48.2	Opioid crisis, high property crime
McKeesport	11.7	45.3	Blight, heroin routes
Wilkinsburg	High	High	Border city, economic distress
Allentown	Moderate	22+	Burglary, theft, arson increase
Erie	9.4+	25% above US average	High murder/assault rate
Reading	High	High	Retail theft, burglaries
Harrisburg	Above avg	Moderate	Gang/drug-related violence
York	Above avg	Above avg	Gang-related property crime
Scranton	Moderate	Moderate	Ongoing revitalization efforts

Factors Driving Crime in Pennsylvania’s Cities

Economic Decline

Many of the most dangerous cities share a common history of manufacturing and heavy industry. As these industries declined, employment opportunities vanished, and poverty rates soared, creating ripe conditions for criminal activity.

Drug-Related Offenses

The opioid epidemic has hit Pennsylvania’s urban centers particularly hard. Opioid overdoses, drug trafficking, and gang-related violence have contributed to higher violent crime rates, especially in corridors connected to larger drug distribution networks.

Urban Blight and Abandonment

Cities with high rates of vacant properties often see clustering of criminal activities in these neglected neighborhoods. Abandoned homes become havens for illicit activity and signal a lack of community investment.

Gang Activity

Gang-related violence remains a persistent threat in several cities, driving up rates of assault, robbery, and sometimes homicide, particularly in areas with limited police presence or stretched resources.

Property Crime Waves

From theft and burglary to recent surges in motor vehicle theft, property crimes have gained momentum in suburbs and cities alike. In some communities, organized crime rings operate retail theft schemes that cost companies billions in losses annually.

Community and Law Enforcement Responses

Enhanced Technology

Several cities have invested in new technology. For example:

Gunshot detection systems in Chester, which have reduced police response times.
Smart home security installations subsidized by micro-grant programs.
Increased deployment of surveillance cameras in high-risk areas.

Community Policing and Engagement

Community policing approaches—such as increased foot patrols, neighborhood watch groups, and police-youth engagement activities—have helped reduce certain types of assaults and foster trust.

Blight Removal and Urban Renewal

Programs targeting abandoned properties, like the Mon Valley Initiative, have successfully reduced crime in specific neighborhoods by demolishing derelict structures and encouraging investment.

University and Business Initiatives

Institutions such as Temple University in Philadelphia have adopted strategies like increased lighting, shuttle programs, and expanded patrols to protect students and staff, particularly near campus.

Assistance to Vulnerable Populations

Violent crime and theft often concentrate in low-income, vulnerable city districts. Nonprofits and local governments are collaborating to provide support, job training, and addiction recovery resources to at-risk residents.

Statewide Crime Patterns and Comparisons

Violent Crime vs. National Average

In 2025, Pennsylvania’s overall violent crime rate was slightly above the national average. However, the gap widens dramatically in urban areas. While the state’s rural zones remain comparatively safe, certain cities contribute disproportionately to violent incidents statewide.

Property Crime Rates

Property crimes, especially vehicle break-ins and retail theft, showed a marked uptick in 2025. Suburban areas near large metros saw organized crime rings become more active. Yet, community adoption of smart security systems led to reduced home burglary rates in select counties.

Year-Over-Year Trends

Pennsylvania’s murder rate decreased in 2024 but rose again in distressed urban pockets in 2025. Aggravated assault and property crime rates continued to rise, with motor vehicle thefts climbing fastest among major categories. The overall sense of safety among Pennsylvanians fluctuated, with urban residents expressing higher concern than those in smaller towns or rural communities.

How Safe Do Residents Feel?

Surveys indicated a modest rise in Pennsylvanians’ feelings of safety in 2025. However, ongoing fear about violent crime, especially gun violence and package theft, persisted—particularly in Philadelphia, where package theft rates rank among the nation’s highest. Roughly half of residents reported daily concern for personal safety, but this masked a divide between secure townships and high-crime cities.

What Can Residents and Visitors Do?

Despite the troubling statistics, there are numerous ways to reduce risk:

Stay aware of local crime patterns by using police department crime dashboards.
Invest in security systems and participate in neighborhood watch programs.
Use extra caution in known high-crime districts, especially at night.
Park in well-lit areas and secure vehicles to deter break-ins.
Report suspicious activity promptly.

Many cities also offer free or low-cost home security assessments, community events focused on building trust, and connections to social services for those affected by crime.

Hope for the Future: Crime Reduction Initiatives

Though the headlines can be discouraging, many Pennsylvania cities are embracing innovation and community collaboration to push back against crime. Federal and state grants, partnerships with local businesses, and faith-based outreach are fueling revitalization. Cities like Scranton, Reading, and Erie are seeing slow but steady improvements, while data-driven policing and investments in technology continue to yield positive results.

Conclusion

The most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania have much in common: histories marked by economic hardship, the ongoing legacy of industrial change, and battles with substance abuse epidemics. Yet, within these communities are determined residents, innovative law enforcement agencies, and dedicated organizations, all working to create safer environments. As 2025 unfolds, the state’s crime landscape remains complex—but so too does its capacity for resilience and renewal. For cities, policymakers, and citizens alike, understanding the patterns revealed by FBI data is a vital step in building a safer Pennsylvania for all.