Pennsylvania’s a pretty amazing place to live – from its natural beauty to its one-of-a-kind residents. Alas, despite it being such a wonderful state, PA has its fair share of problems like other states. Following, for example, are the 10 most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania, according to data from the FBI.
Please note: This list contains data from the FBI which is from 2018. (You’ll have to scroll down to or do a search for Pennsylvania, as the file lists all 50 states.) *Update: Visit the FBI's Crime in the United States for 2019 for an updated list (the most recent currently available at the time of this update).
1. McKees Rocks
McKees Rocks comes in at the top of the list of the most dangerous places in PA. With a population of just under 6,000, McKees Rocks experienced 100 violent crimes in 2018. It has the highest crime rate in PA of all the cities included in this list. Of those violent crimes, 60 were aggravated assaults, 27 were robberies, eight were rapes, and five were murders. Property crime, on the other hand, tallied 280, the majority of which (206) were larceny/thefts.
2. Uniontown
Approximately 9,751 Pennsylvanians live in Uniontown, which saw a total of 136 violent crimes – 111 aggravated assaults, 22 robberies, two rapes, and one murder. Property crimes were significantly higher, coming in at 455, of which 369 were larceny/thefts. Get an aerial view of Uniontown:
3. Chester
Chester boasts a population of just over 34,000. Violent crimes totaled 474 in 2018. Those numbers broke down to 286 aggravated assaults, 159 robberies, 18 murders, and 11 rapes. Property crimes were also significant, totaling 1,151, 642 of which were larceny/thefts while there were 352 burglaries. It's certainly one of the most dangerous towns in PA.
4. Darby
Violent crimes totaled 149 in Darby, a city of 10,702, in 2018. Ninety-four of the 149 violent crimes were aggravated assaults, and there were 37 robberies, 17 rapes, and one murder. Property crimes were almost double the violent crimes, coming in at 346. The majority of property crimes, 251, were larceny/theft.
5. Pottstown
Home to 22,792 Pennsylvanians, Pottstown tallied 196 violent crimes in 2018 – 123 aggravated assaults, 36 robberies, 35 rapes, and two murders. Property crimes were significantly higher at 753, of which 606 were larceny/theft and 113 were burglaries. Take a drive around Pottstown:
6. Yeadon
Yeadon, population 11,512, saw 86 violent crimes in 2018. Aggravated assaults totaled 65. There were 15 robberies, five rapes, and one murder. Property crime was quite a bit higher, tallying 384, of which 288 were larceny/theft.
7. Johnstown
Our next three cities take us to Western Pennsylvania. With a population of nearly 21,000, Johnstown experienced 240 violent crimes. Those numbers break down to 177 aggravated assaults, 32 robberies, 26 rapes, and five murders. Six hundred and twenty property crimes were reported with 406 larceny/thefts and 190 burglaries.
8. Duquesne
A suburb of Pittsburgh, Duquesne is home to 5,544 residents. Duquesne experienced 58 violent crimes in 2018 – 32 aggravated assaults, 20 robberies, three rapes, and three murders. Property crime was more than double violent crime with a total of 163, 95 of which were larceny/theft. Take a ride on the Duquesne Incline:
9. Ambridge
Eighty-nine violent crimes were recorded in Ambridge, a city of 6,679 residents. Aggravated assaults tallied 79 followed by seven robberies, one rape, and two murders. Property crime, on the other hand, totaled 182. Larceny/theft came in at 139 with 26 burglaries.
10. Philadelphia
Let’s head to the eastern part of the state and Philadelphia, a city of more than 1.5 million people. The city experienced 14,420 violent crimes in 2018 – 7,712 aggravated assaults, 5,262 robberies, 1,095 rapes, and 351 murders. Property crimes totaled just over 49,000, the majority of which were larceny/thefts at 36,968.
Do you agree that these are some of the most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania? Join the conversation in the comments! Let’s change the tune a bit. Are you prepared if zombies invade Pennsylvania? Here are the eight best places to hide during a zombie apocalypse.
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