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D

Is Allentown, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 126,044 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, Allentown faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 84% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,956 per 100K.

Allentown Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAllentownPennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate445.5314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2240.51983.01,832.3
Murder Rate9.0--5.7
Assault Rate349.0--268.2
Theft Rate1956.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate216.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

268.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

446/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2241/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Allentown

Violent crime in Allentown is above the national average. The rate of 445.5 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2240.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,956 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 349 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Allentown Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder9
01.6x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault349
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery66
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary311
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,956
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft216
068% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Allentown Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Allentown
445.5
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Allentown
2240.5
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Allentown Safety

Is Allentown safe?
Not especially. Allentown earns a D with a crime rate of 268.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Allentown?
268.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 445.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2240.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Allentown safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Allentown's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,956 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Allentown?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Allentown generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Allentown police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Allentown?
Crime rates have held steady in Allentown, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Allentown compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Below average for the state. Allentown ranks behind about 75% of Pennsylvania cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Allentown to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Allentown?
Bad. A D grade and 268.6 per-thousand rate put Allentown below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 446 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Allentown?
445.5 per 100,000, which is 22% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (349), robbery (66), and murder (9.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania

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View all Pennsylvania city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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