Erie County Crime & Safety

Erie County, Pennsylvania

Safety Score

27/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1783.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

303.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1480.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

27/100

Higher = safer

State avg 62/100

State Safety Rank

#66

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Erie County, Pennsylvania

Erie County Outperforms National Safety Averages

Erie County maintains a strong safety score of 97.2 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 1783.3 per 100K sits well below the national average of 2,385.5.

Comparing Erie to the Pennsylvania Average

While Erie is safer than the national average, its crime rate of 1783.3 per 100K is higher than the state average of 932.4. The county's safety score of 97.2 trails slightly behind the state average of 98.5.

Safety Trends in the Northwestern Region

Erie's crime rate of 1783.3 per 100K is higher than Fayette County's rate of 1436.7. Despite the local volume, Erie remains a significant hub for reporting with 24 active agencies.

Understanding Violent and Property Crime Risks

The county reports 303.1 violent crimes and 1480.2 property crimes per 100K residents. This means property-related incidents are nearly five times more common than violent offenses in the community.

Proactive Steps for Your Home Security

With property crime making up the bulk of local incidents, security systems are a vital deterrent. Residents should focus on securing points of entry to maintain the county's high safety standards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Erie County, PA?

Erie County has a total crime rate of 1783.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (303.1 per 100K) and property crimes (1480.2 per 100K).

Is Erie County, PA safe?

Erie County has a safety score of 27/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #66 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for safety (1 = safest).

How does Erie County crime compare to the Pennsylvania average?

What types of crime are most common in Erie County?

The county reports 303.1 violent crimes and 1480.2 property crimes per 100K residents. This means property-related incidents are nearly five times more common than violent offenses in the community.

How is crime data measured and reported for Erie County?

Crime data for Erie 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 Erie County?

Erie County has a safety score of 27/100, 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.