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D+

Is State College, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 40,844 · Safer than 23% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

State College is a smaller community of 40,844 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 246.9 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,281 per 100K.

State College Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricState CollegePennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate336.6314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2132.11983.01,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate253.0--268.2
Theft Rate1281.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate455.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

246.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

337/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2132/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for State College

Violent crime in State College is close to the national average. The rate of 336.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2132.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,281 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

State College Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault253
094% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery75
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary326
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,281
091% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft455
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How State College Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

State College
336.6
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

State College
2132.1
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About State College Safety

Is State College safe?
Not especially. State College earns a D+ with a crime rate of 246.9 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 State College?
246.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 336.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2132.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is State College safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. State College's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,281 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in State College?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in State College generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the State College police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in State College?
Yes, there's been an uptick. State College's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does State College compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Below average for the state. State College ranks behind about 84% of Pennsylvania cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is State College to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in State College?
Bad. A D+ grade and 246.9 per-thousand rate put State College below 77% of US cities. Violent crime at 337 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in State College?
336.6 per 100,000, which is 7% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (253), robbery (75), and murder (5.0) 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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