Lancaster County Crime & Safety

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Safety Score

79/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

502.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

54.6

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

447.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

79/100

Higher = safer

State avg 62/100

State Safety Rank

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Lancaster County Ranks Among the Safest Regionally

Lancaster County achieves an impressive safety score of 99.2, making it one of the more secure regions in the country. Its total crime rate of 502.5 per 100K is less than one-fourth of the national average of 2,385.5.

Beating State Averages by Wide Margins

The county is significantly safer than the Pennsylvania average, which sees 932.4 crimes per 100K residents. Its safety score of 99.2 also exceeds the statewide average of 98.5.

Exceptional Safety Despite a Large Population

Despite its large population, Lancaster's crime rate of 502.5 is much lower than the 1,132.8 seen in Lehigh County. Data from 35 reporting agencies confirms Lancaster is a regional leader in public safety.

Remarkably Low Violent Crime Numbers

Violent crime is exceptionally rare at just 54.6 per 100K, which is a fraction of the national 369.8 average. Property crime also stays low at 447.9 per 100K, compared to 2,015.7 nationally.

Reinforce Your Home's Natural Security

High safety scores are a community effort that starts with individual home security. Residents should continue to use standard safety measures to keep these low crime rates stable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Lancaster County, PA?

Lancaster County has a total crime rate of 502.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (54.6 per 100K) and property crimes (447.9 per 100K).

Is Lancaster County, PA safe?

Lancaster County has a safety score of 79/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #3 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for safety (1 = safest).

How does Lancaster County crime compare to the Pennsylvania average?

The county is significantly safer than the Pennsylvania average, which sees 932.4 crimes per 100K residents. Its safety score of 99.2 also exceeds the statewide average of 98.5.

What types of crime are most common in Lancaster County?

Violent crime is exceptionally rare at just 54.6 per 100K, which is a fraction of the national 369.8 average. Property crime also stays low at 447.9 per 100K, compared to 2,015.7 nationally.

How is crime data measured and reported for Lancaster County?

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

Lancaster County has a safety score of 79/100, 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.