Picturesque little towns and an air of a bygone era characterize Pennsylvania. There you may find cheesesteaks and the Liberty Bell. However, beneath the idyllic scenery, a harsh truth emerges. In many places, criminal activity has transformed once beautiful landscapes into terrifying nightmares.
Here is a rundown of the five most hazardous cities in Pennsylvania, according to our crime rate rankings. In many cities, statistics on poverty and crime paint a bleak image. So, find the spot where you need to maintain vigilance by scrolling down.
McKees Rocks
Among the most hazardous places in Pennsylvania, McKees Rocks ranks first. With a population of little under 6,000, McKees Rocks experienced 100 violent incidents in the past year. Compared to the rest of the country, the crime rate in this location is 173% higher.
Its crime rate is the highest in Pennsylvania compared to the other cities on this list. There were a total of 58 robberies, 5 homicides, 8 rapes, and 60 serious assaults. On the other hand, 280 incidents were related to property, with most of those involving theft and larceny.
Chester
Chester comes up next. Chester, a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, has a population of slightly more than 32,000. Chester is one of the most notoriously dangerous cities in the United States, with a long history of governmental corruption and high crime rates.
With 4,389 crimes committed per 100,000 people, Chester’s crime rate is 116% greater than Pennsylvania’s average. As of the year 2021, the average home price in Chest is a pitiful $66,800. There has been a dramatic increase in violent crime in recent years.
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Darby
A total of 152 murders have taken place in Darby in the past year, with 10,667 people calling the city home. With 4,625 incidents per 100,000 persons, property crime has reached an all-time high. Any individual could become a victim at a rate of 1 in 22.
Darby is already struggling due to its high poverty rate and average annual income of less than $35,000. One possible explanation for the increase in property crimes following the pandemic is the general economic downturn.
McKeesport
There are problems with poverty and unemployment in McKeesport, despite the fact that the median household income is approximately $26,271. The year 2021 saw around 332 homicides and 542 property crimes.
The Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, city of McKeesport is a dangerous place to live with 17,727 people. With 4,291 crimes committed per 100,000 people, the likelihood of a resident becoming a victim of a crime of any type is 1 in 24.
Yeadon
Yeadon, Pennsylvania, is another municipality that poses a threat. Its crime rate is 4,083 per 100,000 people, and it’s located in Delaware County. The likelihood of a Yeadon resident being a victim of a crime of any kind is 1 in 25.
For every 100,000 residents in the United States in 2021, the FBI recorded 3,336 incidents of property crime and 747 incidents of violent crime. Home prices in Yeadon range from $138,000 to $48,420 per year on average.
Conclusion
There are many positive aspects to living in Pennsylvania, but there are also some major problems that need fixing. These dangerous neighborhoods often have high rates of murder and other violent crimes, in addition to property crimes.
Gangs, drugs, poverty, unemployment, and a lack of education are just a few of the many socioeconomic issues that contribute to these crimes. In addition to putting residents and visitors at risk, these acts damage the state’s economy and image.
To solve these problems, state and local governments must establish effective programs and policies to reduce crime and raise living standards in these areas.