Have you ever wondered which places in Pennsylvania rank as the most crime-ridden? Well, wonder no more. We looked at Roadsnack’s rankings of the 10 most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania in order to bring you the featured places on this list. And without any further ado:
- Chester
Wikimedia Commons Your chances of becoming the victim of a crime in Chester are one in 18. Oof.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,383
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,005 Chester, IL 62233, USA
- McKeesport
Jon Dawson/Flickr The overall crime rate in MsKeesport is 150% higher than the national average (yikes), and more than 250% higher than the state average.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,531
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,759 McKeesport, PA, USA
- Pottstown
Montgomery County Planning Commission/Flickr Pottstown is, unfortunately, the third-most dangerous city in Pennsylvania. It also has the third-highest property crime rate in the state.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 717
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,105 Pottstown, PA 19464, USA
- Wilkinsburg
Jon Dawson/Flickr This little spot has the highest murder rate in all of Pennsylvania. In 2019, there were 11 murders, which may not sound like much, but when you factor in the low population (<12,000) of the town, it’s high.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 779
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,618 Wilkinsburg, PA, USA
- New Kensington
Jon Dawson/Flickr New Kensington is situated on the Allegheny River, just northeast of Pittsburgh. Here, you have a 1 in 37 chance of being a victim of property crime.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 529
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,648 New Kensington, PA 15068, USA
- Harrisburg
Wikimedia Commons Harrisburg may be our state capital, but it’s not exactly a safe haven.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 900
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,172 Harrisburg, PA, USA
- Wilkes-Barre
John Morgan/Flickr Wilkes-Barre is a pretty little town, but it also has the fourth-highest burglary rate in the state!
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 594
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2092 Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA
- Swatara Township
Swatara Township/Facebook Swatara Township has surprisingly little violent crime for its position on this list, but property crime is through the roof.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 285
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,950 Swatara Township, PA, USA
- Darby Township
Darby Township Police Department/Facebook Darby Township is southwest of downtown Philly, and it’s the ninth-most dangerous place in the state.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 734
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1901 Darby Township, PA, USA
- Allentown
Paul Sableman/Flickr Reading is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and was the largest share of citizens living in poverty in the entire country.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 386
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,283 Allentown, PA, USA
What would you add to this list from your own experience? Share in the comments! We love to hear from you.
Wikimedia Commons
Your chances of becoming the victim of a crime in Chester are one in 18. Oof.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,383
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,005
Chester, IL 62233, USA
Jon Dawson/Flickr
The overall crime rate in MsKeesport is 150% higher than the national average (yikes), and more than 250% higher than the state average.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,531
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,759
McKeesport, PA, USA
Montgomery County Planning Commission/Flickr
Pottstown is, unfortunately, the third-most dangerous city in Pennsylvania. It also has the third-highest property crime rate in the state.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 717
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,105
Pottstown, PA 19464, USA
This little spot has the highest murder rate in all of Pennsylvania. In 2019, there were 11 murders, which may not sound like much, but when you factor in the low population (<12,000) of the town, it’s high.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 779
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,618
Wilkinsburg, PA, USA
New Kensington is situated on the Allegheny River, just northeast of Pittsburgh. Here, you have a 1 in 37 chance of being a victim of property crime.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 529
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,648
New Kensington, PA 15068, USA
Harrisburg may be our state capital, but it’s not exactly a safe haven.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 900
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,172
Harrisburg, PA, USA
John Morgan/Flickr
Wilkes-Barre is a pretty little town, but it also has the fourth-highest burglary rate in the state!
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 594
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2092
Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA
Swatara Township/Facebook
Swatara Township has surprisingly little violent crime for its position on this list, but property crime is through the roof.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 285
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,950
Swatara Township, PA, USA
Darby Township Police Department/Facebook
Darby Township is southwest of downtown Philly, and it’s the ninth-most dangerous place in the state.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 734
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1901
Darby Township, PA, USA
Paul Sableman/Flickr
Reading is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and was the largest share of citizens living in poverty in the entire country.
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 386
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,283
Allentown, PA, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Cities in Pennsylvania October 30, 2021 Tori Jane Where are the creepiest places to live in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania is one of those states that are somewhat of a haven for paranormal enthusiasts. There are all kinds of creepy, weird, and wonderful places scattered all over the state that we wear the “haunted state” badge with pride. If you were to move in to, say, the house known only as “the house the devil built”, in Pittsburgh, you would have been moving into a place haunted the ghosts of a woman and her husband, whom she murdered in the 1800s for having an affair. The house disappeared in a mysterious explosion before anyone could sort out the mysteries. Move to the off-limits town of Centralia, where the ground smokes and billows thanks to an underground fire burning since the 1960s, and you’ll find yourself alone in an abandoned hellscape. When it comes to places you could actually move to, honestly, you can take your pick: it seems like every big city and small town in Pennsylvania is home to some creepy spots, many of which you can live at! What are some genuinely scary places in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania is known for its beauty and its intriguing history, but with intriguing history often comes ghosts, ghouls, and all things spooky. For example, Pennsylvania is home to the history Gettysburg battlefield, which is easily one of the most haunted places in the entire country. Countless visitors and residents living nearby have reported – and recorded, in many instances – paranormal activity at a remarkably high rate. After dark, it’s eerie as all get-out, with the never-ceasing sensation of being watched no matter where you go or try to hide. There’s also Pennhurst State School and Hospital, an intimidating abandoned asylum complex said to be teeming with the tortured souls of the dead, thanks to a long, dark history within the facility. For more of our favorite scary places in Pennsylvania, take a look at this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Cities in Pennsylvania
October 30, 2021
Tori Jane
Where are the creepiest places to live in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania is one of those states that are somewhat of a haven for paranormal enthusiasts. There are all kinds of creepy, weird, and wonderful places scattered all over the state that we wear the “haunted state” badge with pride. If you were to move in to, say, the house known only as “the house the devil built”, in Pittsburgh, you would have been moving into a place haunted the ghosts of a woman and her husband, whom she murdered in the 1800s for having an affair. The house disappeared in a mysterious explosion before anyone could sort out the mysteries. Move to the off-limits town of Centralia, where the ground smokes and billows thanks to an underground fire burning since the 1960s, and you’ll find yourself alone in an abandoned hellscape. When it comes to places you could actually move to, honestly, you can take your pick: it seems like every big city and small town in Pennsylvania is home to some creepy spots, many of which you can live at! What are some genuinely scary places in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania is known for its beauty and its intriguing history, but with intriguing history often comes ghosts, ghouls, and all things spooky. For example, Pennsylvania is home to the history Gettysburg battlefield, which is easily one of the most haunted places in the entire country. Countless visitors and residents living nearby have reported – and recorded, in many instances – paranormal activity at a remarkably high rate. After dark, it’s eerie as all get-out, with the never-ceasing sensation of being watched no matter where you go or try to hide. There’s also Pennhurst State School and Hospital, an intimidating abandoned asylum complex said to be teeming with the tortured souls of the dead, thanks to a long, dark history within the facility. For more of our favorite scary places in Pennsylvania, take a look at this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Pennsylvania is one of those states that are somewhat of a haven for paranormal enthusiasts. There are all kinds of creepy, weird, and wonderful places scattered all over the state that we wear the “haunted state” badge with pride. If you were to move in to, say, the house known only as “the house the devil built”, in Pittsburgh, you would have been moving into a place haunted the ghosts of a woman and her husband, whom she murdered in the 1800s for having an affair. The house disappeared in a mysterious explosion before anyone could sort out the mysteries. Move to the off-limits town of Centralia, where the ground smokes and billows thanks to an underground fire burning since the 1960s, and you’ll find yourself alone in an abandoned hellscape. When it comes to places you could actually move to, honestly, you can take your pick: it seems like every big city and small town in Pennsylvania is home to some creepy spots, many of which you can live at!
What are some genuinely scary places in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is known for its beauty and its intriguing history, but with intriguing history often comes ghosts, ghouls, and all things spooky. For example, Pennsylvania is home to the history Gettysburg battlefield, which is easily one of the most haunted places in the entire country. Countless visitors and residents living nearby have reported – and recorded, in many instances – paranormal activity at a remarkably high rate. After dark, it’s eerie as all get-out, with the never-ceasing sensation of being watched no matter where you go or try to hide. There’s also Pennhurst State School and Hospital, an intimidating abandoned asylum complex said to be teeming with the tortured souls of the dead, thanks to a long, dark history within the facility. For more of our favorite scary places in Pennsylvania, take a look at this article.
