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C

Is Chester, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 33,996 · Safer than 40% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 33,996, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Chester earns a C with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,113 per 100K.

Chester Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricChesterPennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate223.1314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate1816.51983.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate144.0--268.2
Theft Rate1113.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate354.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

204 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

223/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1817/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Chester

Violent crime in Chester is below the national average. The rate of 223.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1816.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,113 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Chester Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault144
054% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery26
041% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary267
099% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,113
079% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft354
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Chester Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chester
223.1
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chester
1816.5
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Chester Safety

Is Chester safe?
It depends on where in Chester you are. The city gets a C overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Chester?
204 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 223.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1816.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Chester safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Chester has a C grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chester?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Chester generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Chester police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Chester?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Chester's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Chester compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Middle of the pack for Pennsylvania. Chester isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 45th percentile among Pennsylvania cities.
How safe is Chester to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Chester?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 40th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Chester?
223.1 per 100,000, which is 39% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (144), robbery (26), and murder (3.0) 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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