Erie, PA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Erie, PA

Is Erie, PA safe?

Erie earns a city-wide Safety Rating of B (Safe), and the neighborhood-level data backs that up strongly. Of the 16 neighborhoods analyzed, 7 (43.8%) received an A grade and 8 (50%) received a B grade, meaning 94% of Erie neighborhoods fall into the safe category. Only 1 neighborhood — Trinity Park — landed at a C grade, and not a single neighborhood received a D or F. Standout safe zones include Glenwood (A+), Mercyhurst (A+), and Frontier (A+), all of which combine low crime grades with median household incomes between $62,315 and $86,720. Even neighborhoods like Little Italy (B+) and West Bayfront (B+) — which have more modest median incomes around $31,000–$43,000 — still score well above average for safety.

What is the crime rate in Erie, PA?

Erie's overall crime environment earns a grade of C at the city-wide level, which reflects the influence of socioeconomic factors such as a 25.1% poverty rate and an 8.1% unemployment rate on aggregate crime figures. However, the neighborhood breakdown tells a more nuanced story: 94% of Erie's 16 analyzed neighborhoods rate B or better, with nearly half earning an A. Areas like Downtown (B-), East Bayfront (B-), Bayfront (B-), and Lakeside (B-) sit at the lower end of the B range, while Trinity Park is the sole C-rated neighborhood. Property crime — including theft and vehicle-related offenses — tends to be the most common category citywide, while violent crime is more geographically concentrated. Comparing Erie's grade distribution to similarly sized post-industrial cities, the proportion of A- and B-rated neighborhoods is notably high.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Erie, PA?

Erie's safest neighborhoods are clustered in the southern and western portions of the city, where median incomes and housing stability tend to be higher. Here is how the top tier breaks down by grade and median household income:

• Glenwood — A+ | Population: 2,738 | Median Income: $86,720
• Mercyhurst — A+ | Population: 7,153 | Median Income: $62,315
• Frontier — A+ | Population: 3,265 | Median Income: $79,263
• Greengarden — A | Population: 13,969 | Median Income: $60,846
• East Grandview — A | Population: 6,524 | Median Income: $64,225
• Arbor Heights — A | Population: 5,726 | Median Income: $53,913
• Academy / Marvintown — A- | Population: 6,693 | Median Income: $60,220

Notably, Greengarden is the most populous A-rated neighborhood with nearly 14,000 residents, making it a strong option for families seeking both safety and community size. Even stepping down to the B+ tier, Little Italy (pop. 7,418) and West Bayfront (pop. 11,326) offer solid safety grades despite lower median incomes, demonstrating that safe neighborhoods in Erie span a range of economic profiles.

Which neighborhoods in Erie have higher crime?

Five neighborhoods in Erie fall below the B grade threshold in this analysis. Trinity Park is the only C-rated neighborhood among the 16 studied — no neighborhoods received a D or F grade, which is a meaningful data point. Four neighborhoods — East Bayfront, Bayfront, Lakeside, and Downtown — each received a B- grade, placing them in the lower-safe range rather than a high-crime category. This means that even Erie's relatively higher-crime areas are not extreme outliers; they simply warrant more situational awareness. Downtown areas in many mid-sized cities with Erie's population density of 1,948 residents per square mile and poverty concentration tend to see elevated property crime, and Erie follows that pattern. Visitors and residents in these areas are advised to stay alert, particularly after dark and in less-trafficked blocks.

Is Erie a good place to live in 2026?

Erie presents a compelling affordability case: with a median home value of just $90,039 and a median rent of $725 per month, housing costs are dramatically below national averages. The median household income of $38,655 goes further here than in most comparable metros. On the safety front, 94% of analyzed neighborhoods rate B or better, and three neighborhoods — Glenwood, Mercyhurst, and Frontier — achieve the top A+ grade. The city's challenges are real: a poverty rate of 25.1% and 8.1% unemployment contribute to the overall C crime grade and create uneven conditions across neighborhoods. But for buyers or renters who prioritize affordability and can select a neighborhood carefully — particularly in Greengarden, East Grandview, or Arbor Heights — Erie offers a quality of life that is difficult to match at this price point in the Northeast. The city's lakefront location, established university presence near Mercyhurst, and strong neighborhood-level safety grades make it a viable long-term choice for cost-conscious households.

How does Erie's crime compare to other Pennsylvania cities?

Erie's overall crime grade of C reflects the structural economic pressures facing the city — a poverty rate of 25.1% and unemployment of 8.1% are both above Pennsylvania state averages. However, the neighborhood-level grade distribution is notably strong: with 43.8% of neighborhoods at an A grade and 50% at a B grade, Erie's residential areas outperform what the city-wide C grade might suggest at first glance. Compared to other similarly sized Pennsylvania cities facing post-industrial economic transitions, Erie's proportion of A- and B-rated neighborhoods — and the complete absence of D or F neighborhoods — is a positive differentiator. Neighborhoods like Glenwood (A+, median income $86,720) and Greengarden (A, population nearly 14,000) demonstrate that safe, stable communities exist at scale within the city.