Philadelphia County Crime & Safety

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Safety Score

2/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

5373.4

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

1037.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

4335.7

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

2/100

Higher = safer

State avg 62/100

State Safety Rank

#67

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Urban Challenges Reflected in Crime Rates

Philadelphia County reports a total crime rate of 5,373.4 per 100,000 residents, which is more than double the national average of 2,385.5. This leads to a safety score of 91.5. While lower than rural peers, this score still reflects a robust level of reporting across the metropolitan area.

Philadelphia vs. the Pennsylvania Average

The county's crime rate of 5,373.4 is significantly higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 932.4. Its safety score of 91.5 sits below the state average of 98.5, highlighting the disparity between urban and rural safety metrics. Eight major reporting agencies manage the high volume of incidents in this dense population center.

Highest Incident Rates in the Region

Philadelphia's crime rate far exceeds those of surrounding counties like Schuylkill, which sits at 928.1. While other counties enjoy rates under 1,000 per 100,000, Philadelphia deals with the complex safety issues common to large American cities. The scale of activity here is unique compared to its neighbors.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crime Totals

Violent crime is a concern at 1,037.7 per 100,000, which is nearly triple the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also high at 4,335.7, indicating that theft and burglary are frequent occurrences. These numbers mean residents must exercise higher levels of situational awareness than elsewhere in the state.

Prioritizing Home and Personal Security

Given the property crime rate of 4,335.7, high-quality locks and alarm systems are essential for Philadelphia residents. Joining community watch groups and installing video doorbells can provide significant layers of protection. Proactive security habits are the best defense against urban property crime.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Philadelphia County, PA?

Philadelphia County has a total crime rate of 5373.4 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (1037.7 per 100K) and property crimes (4335.7 per 100K).

Is Philadelphia County, PA safe?

Philadelphia County has a safety score of 2/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #67 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for safety (1 = safest).

How does Philadelphia County crime compare to the Pennsylvania average?

What types of crime are most common in Philadelphia County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Philadelphia County?

Crime data for Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia County?

Philadelphia County has a safety score of 2/100, 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.