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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Lancaster, PA has a Safety Score of 43/100 — higher crime than 57% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,914.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,693 of 2,971 US cities and #153 of 197 in Pennsylvania.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Lancaster, Pennsylvania Safe?
Lancaster, PA, known as the Red Rose City, is a historic city in south-central Pennsylvania. Its diverse population of nearly 60,000 residents includes a significant Amish presence, contributing to its unique cultural landscape.
Lancaster has a safety score of 43/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,914.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Lancaster ranks #153 out of 197 cities in Pennsylvania and #1693 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 43rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 57% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Lancaster is aggravated assault, at 397.3 per 100K — 1.2x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Lancaster's total crime rate increased by 2.1%, with violent crime rising 46.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Lancaster Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 263 | 462.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 3.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 18 | 31.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 16 | 28.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 226 | 397.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 826 | 1,451.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 61 | 107.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 672 | 1,181.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 93 | 163.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Lancaster vs Pennsylvania Average
How does Lancaster's crime rate compare to the Pennsylvania state average?
| Metric | Lancaster | Pennsylvania Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 462.3 | 359.1 | +28.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,451.9 | 2,103.7 | -31.0% |
| Murder Rate | 3.5 | 7.1 | -50.4% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,914.2 | 2,462.7 | -22.3% |
Lancaster Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 56,890 | 1,914.2 | 462.3 | 1,451.9 |
| 2023 | 57,213 | 1,875.5 | 314.6 | 1,560.8 |
| 2020 | 59,264 | 2,466.9 | 590.6 | 1,876.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lancaster, Pennsylvania safe?
Lancaster has a safety score of 43/100, meaning it has less crime than about 43% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,914.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Lancaster is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?
According to FBI data for 2024, Lancaster has a violent crime rate of 462.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,451.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Lancaster compare to the national average?
Lancaster's total crime rate of 1,914.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 56,890 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Lancaster?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Lancaster include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Lancaster safe to visit?
Like any city, Lancaster has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 43/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.