Is Allentown or Swatara Township Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Allentown is safer than Swatara Township (Safety Score 45/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 1,841 per 100,000 versus 2,916 for Swatara Township — 37% lower. Allentown has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Swatara Township has a 44% lower rate.
Note: Allentown is 4.2x 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
Swatara Township — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Allentown, PA
Swatara Township, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Allentown | Swatara Township | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,841.1 | 2,915.6 | -1,074.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.1 | 153.1 | +119.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 3.4 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 26.5 | 13.6 | +12.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.0 | 47.6 | +9.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 185.4 | 88.5 | +96.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,569.0 | 2,762.5 | -1,193.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 121.2 | 136.1 | -14.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,252.0 | 2,391.6 | -1,139.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 195.8 | 234.7 | -38.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allentown or Swatara Township safer?
Allentown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,841 per 100K vs 2,916 for Swatara Township — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Allentown has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while Swatara Township has 153.1. Swatara Township 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 Swatara Township, PA
Swatara Township, located in Dauphin County, is a diverse suburban community bordering Harrisburg. Home to the National Civil War Museum, it's traversed by major routes like I-81 and US-322. Its population is approximately 23,000. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 29,394, Swatara Township has a total crime rate of 2,915.6 per 100,000 residents.