Westmoreland County Crime & Safety

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Safety Score

63/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

863.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

156.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

706.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

63/100

Higher = safer

State avg 62/100

State Safety Rank

#41

of 67 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Westmoreland stays well below national averages

Westmoreland's total crime rate of 863.7 per 100K is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a high safety score of 98.6 out of 100.

Outperforming the Pennsylvania safety average

The county's safety score of 98.6 slightly exceeds the Pennsylvania state average of 98.5. Its total crime rate also beats the statewide average of 932.4 incidents per 100K.

A safer alternative to regional neighbors

Westmoreland reports 863.7 crimes per 100K, making it safer than nearby York County's rate of 1,100.1. Residents experience a lower volume of incidents than many surrounding industrial and urban areas.

Property crime dominates the local landscape

Property crime accounts for 706.8 incidents per 100K, while violent crime remains low at 156.9. While violent crime is slightly higher than the state average of 142.2, it is less than half the national rate.

Maintaining safety through smart home security

Even in safe counties, property crime accounts for the vast majority of local law enforcement activity. Installing modern security cameras and motion lighting helps deter theft and preserves the community's high safety standards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Westmoreland County, PA?

Westmoreland County has a total crime rate of 863.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (156.9 per 100K) and property crimes (706.8 per 100K).

Is Westmoreland County, PA safe?

Westmoreland County has a safety score of 63/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #41 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania for safety (1 = safest).

How does Westmoreland County crime compare to the Pennsylvania average?

The county's safety score of 98.6 slightly exceeds the Pennsylvania state average of 98.5. Its total crime rate also beats the statewide average of 932.4 incidents per 100K.

What types of crime are most common in Westmoreland County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Westmoreland County?

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

Westmoreland County has a safety score of 63/100, 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.