When you think of Pennsylvania, you think of American history, blue-collar grit, thriving suburbs, and proud communities. From the steel backbone of the west to the historic streets of the east, the Commonwealth tells many stories.
But there’s another story told in numbers — crime data.
Today, we take a clear-eyed look at:
- The most dangerous city in Pennsylvania with a population above 50,000
- The safest city in Pennsylvania with a population above 50,000
- How both cities rank nationally
- Where Pennsylvania ranks among the safest states
- And a breakdown of Democratic and Republican political leadership since 1990
Let’s take a steady, measured look at the facts.
The Most Dangerous City in Pennsylvania (50,000+ Population): Chester
Population: Approximately 33,000–35,000
Now — here’s an important distinction.
Chester historically posts the highest violent crime rate in Pennsylvania. However, its population has dipped below 50,000 in recent census estimates.
Among cities currently above 50,000 residents, the most consistently dangerous city by violent crime rate is:
Reading
Population: ~95,000
County: Berks County
Reading Crime Statistics (Recent FBI-Based Averages)
Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents):
- Approximately 750–900 per 100,000
- U.S. average: ~380 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents):
- Approximately 2,200–2,600 per 100,000
- U.S. average: ~1,950 per 100,000
Violent Crime Breakdown in Reading:
- Aggravated Assault: Primary driver
- Robbery: Higher than state average
- Homicide: Moderate but elevated compared to PA average
- Sexual Assault: Slightly above national average
Among Pennsylvania cities over 50,000 residents — including:
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Allentown
- Erie
- Scranton
Reading frequently posts the highest violent crime rate per capita.
Why Is Reading More Dangerous?
Let’s break it down clearly.
1. Poverty Concentration
Reading has one of the highest poverty rates among mid-sized cities in the United States — often exceeding 30%.
Crime tends to correlate strongly with concentrated poverty.
2. Economic Decline
Like many Rust Belt cities, Reading experienced:
- Industrial job loss
- Manufacturing decline
- Reduced economic mobility
3. Drug Distribution Routes
Located between major metro hubs, Reading has faced drug trafficking and opioid-related crime challenges.
4. High Population Density
Reading’s compact urban footprint creates higher incident clustering.
Where Does Reading Rank Nationally?
Reading has appeared in various crime studies as:
- One of the more dangerous mid-sized cities in America
- Frequently within the Top 50–75 most dangerous cities (depending on methodology and year)
However, it typically does not rank among the Top 25 most dangerous large U.S. cities — a category dominated by cities like:
- St. Louis
- Baltimore
- Detroit
Reading often falls in the lower portion of the Top 50 or just outside it, depending on the year.
The Safest City in Pennsylvania (50,000+ Population): Lower Paxton Township
Population: ~55,000
County: Dauphin County
Lower Paxton Township consistently ranks among the safest larger municipalities in Pennsylvania.
Lower Paxton Township Crime Statistics
Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents):
- Approximately 60–90 per 100,000
- National average: ~380
Property Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents):
- Approximately 800–1,000 per 100,000
- Well below U.S. average
These numbers are dramatically lower than Reading and significantly lower than most cities above 50,000 residents in Pennsylvania.
Why Is Lower Paxton Township So Safe?
1. Suburban Layout
- Lower density
- Primarily residential
- Limited nightlife or high-risk commercial zones
2. Stable Income Levels
- Strong middle-to-upper income households
- High owner-occupied housing rate
3. Strong Community Policing
Local law enforcement maintains high visibility and rapid response times.
4. Quality Schools and Civic Engagement
High graduation rates and strong community participation reduce youth-related crime risks.
National Ranking for Lower Paxton Township
Lower Paxton Township does not consistently appear in the Top 50 safest U.S. cities list due to population thresholds used in some studies.
However, when comparing cities between 50,000 and 100,000 residents, it ranks among the safest in Pennsylvania and favorably nationwide.
Pennsylvania’s Overall Safety Ranking
Pennsylvania is considered a middle-tier safety state.
Across violent and property crime metrics, Pennsylvania typically ranks:
- Between #22 and #30 safest state in the U.S.
Strengths:
- Lower rural crime rates
- Declining violent crime trends in recent years
- Strong suburban safety metrics
Challenges:
- Urban crime concentrated in Philadelphia and Reading
- Drug-related offenses
- Firearm-related violence in major metro areas
Compared to higher-crime states like:
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
Pennsylvania performs significantly better.
Political Leadership in Pennsylvania Since 1990
Pennsylvania is often described as a “purple state” — competitive between Democrats and Republicans.
Let’s break it down.
Democratic Representation Since 1990
U.S. Senate
Democratic Senators since 1990 include:
- Bob Casey Jr.
- John Fetterman
Democrats have held at least one Senate seat for most years since the 1990s.
Democratic Governors Since 1990
- Ed Rendell (2003–2011)
- Tom Wolf (2015–2023)
- Josh Shapiro (2023–present)
Since 1990:
- 3 Democratic Governors
Republican Representation Since 1990
U.S. Senate
Republican Senators include:
- Rick Santorum
- Pat Toomey
Republicans have held Senate seats for significant portions of the past 30 years.
Republican Governors Since 1990
- Tom Ridge (1995–2001)
- Mark Schweiker (2001–2003)
- Tom Corbett (2011–2015)
Since 1990:
- 3 Republican Governors
Pennsylvania has alternated leadership — a hallmark of a politically competitive state.
Final Comparison: Reading vs. Lower Paxton Township
| Category | Reading | Lower Paxton Township |
|---|---|---|
| Population | ~95,000 | ~55,000 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 750–900 per 100k | 60–90 per 100k |
| Property Crime | ~2,400 per 100k | ~900 per 100k |
| Poverty Rate | High | Low |
| Urban Density | High | Suburban |
| National Ranking | Near Top 50 Dangerous | Among Safest Mid-Sized |
Reading faces urban economic challenges and higher crime rates.
Lower Paxton Township reflects suburban stability and strong civic infrastructure.
And Pennsylvania overall? Moderately safe — but sharply divided between urban and suburban realities.
When it comes to safety, numbers tell the story.
In Pennsylvania, one city struggles under economic strain and elevated crime. Another stands steady with quiet streets and strong neighborhoods.
And across the Commonwealth, the contrast reminds us of something important:
Safety isn’t accidental.
It’s built — community by community.
TheDailyChristian 