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C-

Is Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 44,523 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Wilkes-Barre is a smaller community of 44,523 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 234.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,503 per 100K.

Wilkes-Barre Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWilkes-BarrePennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate234.2314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2106.81983.01,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate168.0--268.2
Theft Rate1503.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate310.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

234.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

234/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2107/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Wilkes-Barre

Violent crime in Wilkes-Barre is below the national average. The rate of 234.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2106.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,503 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Wilkes-Barre Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault168
063% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery30
047% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary303
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,503
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft310
097% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Wilkes-Barre Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wilkes-Barre
234.2
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wilkes-Barre
2106.8
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilkes-Barre Safety

Is Wilkes-Barre safe?
Not especially. Wilkes-Barre earns a C- with a crime rate of 234.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Wilkes-Barre?
234.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 234.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2106.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Wilkes-Barre safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Wilkes-Barre's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,503 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Wilkes-Barre?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Wilkes-Barre generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Wilkes-Barre police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Wilkes-Barre?
No. Crime in Wilkes-Barre has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Wilkes-Barre compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Below average for the state. Wilkes-Barre ranks behind about 73% of Pennsylvania cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre?
Bad. A C- grade and 234.1 per-thousand rate put Wilkes-Barre below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 234 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Wilkes-Barre?
234.2 per 100,000, which is 36% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (168), robbery (30), 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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