Bedford County Crime & Safety

Bedford County, Pennsylvania

Safety Score

55/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1024.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

144.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

880.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

55/100

Higher = safer

State avg 62/100

State Safety Rank

#50

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Bedford County, Pennsylvania

High national safety rankings for Bedford

Bedford County holds a safety score of 98.4, which is very high by national standards. Its total crime rate of 1024.9 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Bedford sits near the state average

Compared to the Pennsylvania average of 932.4, Bedford’s total crime rate of 1024.9 is slightly higher. The county’s safety score of 98.4 falls just below the state average of 98.5.

Moderate activity across 11 reporting agencies

Bedford County sees more activity than some of its more rural neighbors in the region. However, its violent crime rate of 144.9 remains roughly aligned with the statewide average of 142.2.

Property crime is the primary concern

Property crime drives the local numbers, reaching 880.0 per 100,000 residents in 2022. While violent crime occurs at a rate of 144.9, it is still significantly lower than the national figure of 369.8.

Focus on securing outbuildings and vehicles

Since property crime is the main issue, residents should focus on securing outbuildings and vehicles. Installing motion-activated cameras can serve as a powerful deterrent for local property-related incidents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Bedford County, PA?

Bedford County has a total crime rate of 1024.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (144.9 per 100K) and property crimes (880.0 per 100K).

Is Bedford County, PA safe?

Bedford County has a safety score of 55/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #50 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for safety (1 = safest).

How does Bedford County crime compare to the Pennsylvania average?

Compared to the Pennsylvania average of 932.4, Bedford’s total crime rate of 1024.9 is slightly higher. The county’s safety score of 98.4 falls just below the state average of 98.5.

What types of crime are most common in Bedford County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Bedford County?

Crime data for Bedford County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Bedford County?

Bedford County has a safety score of 55/100, which is below the Pennsylvania average of 62/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.