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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Bethlehem, PA has a Safety Score of 54/100 — safer than 54% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,575.9 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,373 of 2,971 US cities and #135 of 197 in Pennsylvania.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Safe?
Bethlehem, PA, known as "The Christmas City" for its annual celebrations, is a city in the Lehigh Valley. Once a major industrial hub for Bethlehem Steel, it now has a diverse economy and a population of over 75,000.
Bethlehem has a safety score of 54/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,575.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Bethlehem ranks #135 out of 197 cities in Pennsylvania and #1373 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 54th percentile for safety — safer than 54% of US cities.
Year over year, Bethlehem's total crime rate decreased by 7.8%, with violent crime rising 27.2%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Bethlehem Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 164 | 207.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 2.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 32 | 40.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 22 | 27.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 107 | 135.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,084 | 1,368.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 67 | 84.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 911 | 1,150.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 106 | 133.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bethlehem vs Pennsylvania Average
How does Bethlehem's crime rate compare to the Pennsylvania state average?
| Metric | Bethlehem | Pennsylvania Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 207.1 | 359.1 | -42.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,368.8 | 2,103.7 | -34.9% |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 7.1 | -64.3% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,575.9 | 2,462.7 | -36.0% |
Bethlehem Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79,194 | 1,575.9 | 207.1 | 1,368.8 |
| 2023 | 78,606 | 1,708.5 | 162.8 | 1,545.7 |
| 2022 | 75,619 | 1,002.4 | 88.6 | 913.8 |
| 2020 | 75,909 | 1,363.5 | 172.6 | 1,190.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania safe?
Bethlehem has a safety score of 54/100, meaning it has less crime than about 54% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,575.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Bethlehem is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?
According to FBI data for 2024, Bethlehem has a violent crime rate of 207.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,368.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Bethlehem compare to the national average?
Bethlehem's total crime rate of 1,575.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 79,194 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Bethlehem?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Bethlehem include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Bethlehem safe to visit?
Like any city, Bethlehem has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 54/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.