Elk County Crime & Safety

Elk County, Pennsylvania

Safety Score

62/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

874.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

113.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

760.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

62/100

Higher = safer

State avg 62/100

State Safety Rank

#43

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Elk County, Pennsylvania

Elk County offers impressive national safety

Elk County's total crime rate of 874.2 per 100,000 is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a very high safety score of 98.6 out of 100. Residents benefit from the surveillance of eight local reporting agencies.

Exceeding the Pennsylvania safety benchmark

Elk County's safety score of 98.6 is slightly higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 874.2 per 100,000 is also better than the state average of 932.4. These metrics define Elk County as a secure and peaceful place to live.

Elk County vs. regional neighbors

Elk County's crime rate of 874.2 is almost identical to Crawford County's rate of 871.6. It is slightly higher than the exceptionally safe Clearfield County, which reports a rate of 587.1. This whole region is characterized by very low crime compared to the rest of the nation.

Low violent crime in the northern tier

Violent crime in Elk County is low at 113.3 per 100,000, compared to 369.8 nationally. Property crime accounts for 760.9 incidents per 100,000, which is still well below the national average of 2,015.7. The risk of serious crime remains minimal for most residents.

Protecting your home in Elk County

Most crime in the area is property-related, making home security a smart local investment. Using basic deterrents like deadbolts and exterior lighting can help prevent opportunistic theft. Small steps ensure that Elk County continues to be one of the safest spots in the state.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Elk County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Elk County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Elk County, PA?

Elk County has a total crime rate of 874.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (113.3 per 100K) and property crimes (760.9 per 100K).

Is Elk County, PA safe?

Elk County has a safety score of 62/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #43 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for safety (1 = safest).

How does Elk County crime compare to the Pennsylvania average?

What types of crime are most common in Elk County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Elk County?

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

Elk County has a safety score of 62/100, 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.