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C+

Is West Chester, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 19,591 · Safer than 42% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

West Chester is a smaller community of 19,591 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 197.9 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,280 per 100K.

West Chester Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWest ChesterPennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate294.3314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate1684.91983.01,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate165.0--268.2
Theft Rate1280.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate184.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

197.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

294/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1685/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for West Chester

Violent crime in West Chester is below the national average. The rate of 294.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1684.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,280 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

West Chester Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault165
062% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery71
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary219
081% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,280
091% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft184
058% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How West Chester Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Chester
294.3
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Chester
1684.9
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About West Chester Safety

Is West Chester safe?
It depends on where in West 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 West Chester?
197.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 294.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1684.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is West Chester safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. West 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 West Chester?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in West Chester generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the West Chester police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in West Chester?
No. Crime in West Chester has been trending down, which is good news for the C+-rated city.
How does West Chester compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Middle of the pack for Pennsylvania. West Chester isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 46th percentile among Pennsylvania cities.
How safe is West Chester to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in West 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 42th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in West Chester?
294.3 per 100,000, which is 19% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (165), robbery (71), and murder (6.0) 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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