Chester County Crime & Safety

Chester County, Pennsylvania

Safety Score

77/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

552.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

76.6

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

475.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

77/100

Higher = safer

State avg 62/100

State Safety Rank

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Chester County Among Safest in the US

Chester County holds an exceptional 99.1 safety score, reflecting its status as a very safe place to live. The total crime rate of 552.3 per 100,000 is roughly one-fourth of the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading Pennsylvania’s Safety Metrics

Chester County surpasses the state safety score average of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 552.3 is significantly better than the Pennsylvania state average of 932.4 per 100,000.

Comparing Chester and Bucks

Chester County reports a lower crime rate (552.3) than neighbor Bucks County (624.6). It stands out as one of the safest suburban regions in the entire Commonwealth.

Detailed Look at Local Crime Rates

Violent crime is very low at 76.6 per 100,000, while property crime sits at 475.7. Most incidents reported across the county's 52 agencies involve non-violent property offenses.

Enhanced Security for Peace of Mind

With a large number of reporting agencies, Chester County has a robust law enforcement presence. Residents can support these efforts by utilizing home security cameras and ensuring all valuables are out of sight in vehicles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Chester County, PA?

Chester County has a total crime rate of 552.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (76.6 per 100K) and property crimes (475.7 per 100K).

Is Chester County, PA safe?

Chester County has a safety score of 77/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #7 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for safety (1 = safest).

How does Chester County crime compare to the Pennsylvania average?

Chester County surpasses the state safety score average of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 552.3 is significantly better than the Pennsylvania state average of 932.4 per 100,000.

What types of crime are most common in Chester County?

Violent crime is very low at 76.6 per 100,000, while property crime sits at 475.7. Most incidents reported across the county's 52 agencies involve non-violent property offenses.

How is crime data measured and reported for Chester County?

Crime data for Chester 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 Chester County safer than the Pennsylvania average?

Chester County has a safety score of 77/100, 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.