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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Wilkes Barre City, PA has a Safety Score of 41/100 — higher crime than 59% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,988.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,768 of 2,971 US cities and #155 of 197 in Pennsylvania.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Wilkes Barre City, Pennsylvania Safe?
Wilkes-Barre, a city in Luzerne County, was a major anthracite coal mining hub. Nestled in the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna River, it is home to a diverse population.
Wilkes Barre City has a safety score of 41/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,988.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Wilkes Barre City ranks #155 out of 197 cities in Pennsylvania and #1768 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 41st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 59% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Wilkes Barre City is murder, at 9.0 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Wilkes Barre City's total crime rate increased by 2.6%, with violent crime rising 3.8%.
Wilkes Barre City Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 191 | 431.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 9.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 19 | 42.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 25 | 56.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 143 | 323.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 689 | 1,556.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 73 | 165.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 567 | 1,281.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 49 | 110.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Wilkes Barre City vs Pennsylvania Average
How does Wilkes Barre City's crime rate compare to the Pennsylvania state average?
| Metric | Wilkes Barre City | Pennsylvania Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 431.6 | 359.1 | +20.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,556.9 | 2,103.7 | -26.0% |
| Murder Rate | 9.0 | 7.1 | +27.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,988.5 | 2,462.7 | -19.3% |
Wilkes Barre City Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Wilkes Barre City, Pennsylvania.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 44,254 | 1,988.5 | 431.6 | 1,556.9 |
| 2023 | 44,268 | 1,938.2 | 415.7 | 1,522.5 |
| 2022 | 44,497 | 2,009.1 | 397.8 | 1,611.3 |
| 2021 | 40,508 | 1,903.3 | 412.3 | 1,491.1 |
| 2020 | 40,683 | 2,389.2 | 553.1 | 1,836.2 |
| 2019 | 40,722 | 2,686.5 | 594.3 | 2,092.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wilkes Barre City, Pennsylvania safe?
Wilkes Barre City has a safety score of 41/100, meaning it has less crime than about 41% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,988.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Wilkes Barre City is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Wilkes Barre City, Pennsylvania?
According to FBI data for 2024, Wilkes Barre City has a violent crime rate of 431.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,556.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Wilkes Barre City compare to the national average?
Wilkes Barre City's total crime rate of 1,988.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 44,254 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Wilkes Barre City?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Wilkes Barre City include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Wilkes Barre City safe to visit?
Like any city, Wilkes Barre City has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 41/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.