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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, West Chester Borough, PA has a Safety Score of 58/100 — safer than 58% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,464.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,263 of 2,971 US cities and #132 of 197 in Pennsylvania.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is West Chester Borough, Pennsylvania Safe?
West Chester Borough, the seat of Chester County, is a historic borough known for its Victorian architecture and vibrant downtown. Located approximately 25 miles west of Philadelphia, it is home to West Chester University, contributing to a diverse and educated population.
West Chester Borough has a safety score of 58/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,464.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
West Chester Borough ranks #132 out of 197 cities in Pennsylvania and #1263 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 58th percentile for safety — safer than 58% of US cities.
All major crime categories in West Chester Borough are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, West Chester Borough's total crime rate increased by 13.4%, with violent crime declining 6.6%.
West Chester Borough Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 43 | 215.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 4 | 20.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 8 | 40.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 31 | 155.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 250 | 1,249.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 28 | 140.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 211 | 1,054.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 11 | 55.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
West Chester Borough vs Pennsylvania Average
How does West Chester Borough's crime rate compare to the Pennsylvania state average?
| Metric | West Chester Borough | Pennsylvania Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.0 | 359.1 | -40.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,249.8 | 2,103.7 | -40.6% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.1 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,464.7 | 2,462.7 | -40.5% |
West Chester Borough Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for West Chester Borough, Pennsylvania.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20,004 | 1,464.7 | 215.0 | 1,249.8 |
| 2023 | 19,981 | 1,291.2 | 230.2 | 1,061.0 |
| 2020 | 20,211 | 1,197.4 | 94.0 | 1,103.4 |
| 2019 | 20,255 | 1,619.4 | 241.9 | 1,377.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Chester Borough, Pennsylvania safe?
West Chester Borough has a safety score of 58/100, meaning it has less crime than about 58% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,464.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, West Chester Borough is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in West Chester Borough, Pennsylvania?
According to FBI data for 2024, West Chester Borough has a violent crime rate of 215.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,249.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does West Chester Borough compare to the national average?
West Chester Borough's total crime rate of 1,464.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 20,004 residents.
What types of crime are most common in West Chester Borough?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in West Chester Borough include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is West Chester Borough safe to visit?
Like any city, West Chester Borough has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 58/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.