Is Allentown or New Castle City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New Castle City is safer than Allentown (Safety Score 69/100 vs 45/100), with a total crime rate of 1,120 per 100,000 versus 1,841 for Allentown — 39% lower. Allentown has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where New Castle City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Allentown is 5.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Allentown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New Castle City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Allentown, PA
New Castle City, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Allentown | New Castle City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,841.1 | 1,119.9 | +721.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.1 | 84.7 | +187.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 9.4 | -6.2 |
| Rape Rate | 26.5 | 0.0 | +26.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.0 | 0.0 | +57.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 185.4 | 75.3 | +110.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,569.0 | 1,035.2 | +533.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 121.2 | 211.7 | -90.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,252.0 | 715.2 | +536.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 195.8 | 108.2 | +87.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allentown or New Castle City safer?
New Castle City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,120 per 100K vs 1,841 for Allentown — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Allentown has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while New Castle City has 84.7. New Castle City has lower violent crime.
About Allentown, PA
Allentown, a former industrial hub in eastern Pennsylvania, is the third-largest city in the state. Home to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, it sits along the Lehigh River with a diverse population. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 124,599, Allentown has a total crime rate of 1,841.1 per 100,000 residents.
About New Castle City, PA
New Castle, PA, once a significant tin plate producer, sits in Lawrence County near the Ohio border. This Rust Belt city is characterized by its aging infrastructure and a shrinking, predominantly white population. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 21,252, New Castle City has a total crime rate of 1,119.9 per 100,000 residents.