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C-

Is Lancaster, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 58,366 · Safer than 29% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Lancaster means there's room for concern. The 230 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,815 per 100K.

Lancaster Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLancasterPennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate258.4314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2041.21983.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate213.0--268.2
Theft Rate1815.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate320.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

230 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

258/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2041/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lancaster

Violent crime in Lancaster is below the national average. The rate of 258.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2041.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,815 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lancaster Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault213
079% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery55
087% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary224
083% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,815
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft320
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lancaster Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lancaster
258.4
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lancaster
2041.2
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lancaster Safety

Is Lancaster safe?
Not especially. Lancaster earns a C- with a crime rate of 230 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lancaster?
230 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 258.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2041.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lancaster safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lancaster's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,815 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lancaster?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lancaster generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lancaster police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lancaster?
Crime rates have held steady in Lancaster, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Lancaster compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Below average for the state. Lancaster ranks behind about 74% of Pennsylvania cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Lancaster to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Lancaster?
Bad. A C- grade and 230 per-thousand rate put Lancaster below 71% of US cities. Violent crime at 258 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lancaster?
258.4 per 100,000, which is 29% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (213), robbery (55), and murder (5.0) 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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