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D-

Is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 79,644 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Bethlehem runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 85% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,962 per 100K.

Bethlehem Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBethlehemPennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate400.3314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2350.61983.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate239.0--268.2
Theft Rate1962.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate294.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

275.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

400/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2351/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Bethlehem

Violent crime in Bethlehem is close to the national average. The rate of 400.3 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2350.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,962 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Bethlehem Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault239
089% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery60
095% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary262
097% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,962
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft294
092% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Bethlehem Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bethlehem
400.3
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bethlehem
2350.6
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Bethlehem Safety

Is Bethlehem safe?
Not especially. Bethlehem earns a D- with a crime rate of 275.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Bethlehem?
275.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 400.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2350.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Bethlehem safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Bethlehem's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,962 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Bethlehem?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Bethlehem generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Bethlehem police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Bethlehem?
No. Crime in Bethlehem has been trending down, which is good news for the D--rated city.
How does Bethlehem compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Below average for the state. Bethlehem ranks behind about 91% of Pennsylvania cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Bethlehem to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Bethlehem?
Bad. A D- grade and 275.1 per-thousand rate put Bethlehem below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 400 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Bethlehem?
400.3 per 100,000, which is 10% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (239), robbery (60), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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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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