Centre County Crime & Safety

Centre County, Pennsylvania

Safety Score

78/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

519.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

75.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

444.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

78/100

Higher = safer

State avg 62/100

State Safety Rank

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Centre County, Pennsylvania

Centre County Ranks as Safety Leader

Centre County boasts a high safety score of 99.2, making it one of the most secure regions in the country. The total crime rate of 519.3 per 100,000 is a fraction of the national average of 2,385.5.

Top-Tier Safety in Pennsylvania

Centre County significantly outperforms the state safety average score of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 519.3 is nearly half the statewide average of 932.4 per 100,000 residents.

Outpacing Its Regional Neighbors

Centre County is safer than neighboring Cameron and Clarion counties, which report rates of 705.4 and 792.2 respectively. It maintains a profile similar to the highly safe Butler County.

Low Risk of Violent and Property Crime

The violent crime rate is just 75.0 per 100,000, while property crime is 444.3. These rates are well below national levels, indicating a very low risk for residents in both categories.

Smart Security for Centre County

Local police across 12 agencies emphasize that even in safe areas, basic precautions matter. Residents are encouraged to lock their doors and report suspicious activity to maintain this high level of community safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Centre County, PA?

Centre County has a total crime rate of 519.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (75.0 per 100K) and property crimes (444.3 per 100K).

Is Centre County, PA safe?

Centre County has a safety score of 78/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #5 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for safety (1 = safest).

How does Centre County crime compare to the Pennsylvania average?

Centre County significantly outperforms the state safety average score of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 519.3 is nearly half the statewide average of 932.4 per 100,000 residents.

What types of crime are most common in Centre County?

The violent crime rate is just 75.0 per 100,000, while property crime is 444.3. These rates are well below national levels, indicating a very low risk for residents in both categories.

How is crime data measured and reported for Centre County?

Crime data for Centre 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.

Why is Centre County safer than the Pennsylvania average?

Centre County has a safety score of 78/100, which is above the Pennsylvania average of 62/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.