Reading, PA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Reading, PA

Is Reading, PA safe to live in?

Reading's safety picture is more nuanced than its overall D+ city-wide crime grade suggests. When researchers analyzed 22 distinct neighborhoods, 82% earned a combined A or B safety rating — meaning the majority of the city's residential fabric is considered safe. Specifically, 11 neighborhoods (50%) received an A grade and 7 neighborhoods (31.8%) received a B grade. Only 1 neighborhood (4.5%) landed in the D range, and no neighborhood received an F. Areas like Wyomissing, Sinking Spring, and Kenhorst consistently rank among the safest, driven in part by higher median household incomes — Wyomissing's median income of $98,362 is nearly three times the city-wide median of $35,745. The takeaway: neighborhood selection matters enormously in Reading.

What is the crime rate in Reading, PA?

Reading carries an overall crime grade of D+ at the city level, which reflects the concentration of crime in a small number of districts rather than a uniform citywide risk. Of the 22 neighborhoods analyzed, 50% graded A (very low crime), 31.8% graded B (low crime), 13.6% graded C (moderate crime), and just 4.5% graded D (elevated crime). The highest-crime area identified is the Callowhill Historic District (D+), followed by three neighborhoods at C-: the 6th Ward / Ricktown Arts District, Prince Historic District, and Penn's Common Historic District. Southside earned a B-, meaning it sits only slightly below the city's safe majority. Reading's 30.9% poverty rate and 11.4% unemployment rate are structural factors that correlate with crime concentration in these specific corridors.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Reading, PA?

Ten neighborhoods stand out as the safest in Reading based on 2026 crime data, all earning A or A- grades:

• Wyomissing (A) — population 11,152, median income $98,362. The city's wealthiest and safest enclave.
• Sinking Spring (A) — population 4,197, median income $84,809. Consistently low crime with strong household income.
• St. Lawrence (A) — population 1,844, median income $77,431. A small, tight-knit community with excellent safety scores.
• Kenhorst (A) — population 2,745, median income $74,604.
• Shillington (A) — population 5,463, median income $70,954.
• Mount Penn (A) — population 1,944, median income $71,466.
• Laureldale (A) — population 4,002, median income $68,487.
• Northmont (A) — population 602, median income $56,667. Smallest neighborhood analyzed, with an A grade.
• Hampden Heights / College Heights (A-) — population 3,379, median income $67,277.
• West Reading (A-) — population 4,455, median income $62,838. A walkable borough-adjacent community with strong safety marks.

Combined, these ten neighborhoods represent a wide range of population sizes and income levels, demonstrating that safety in Reading is achievable across different community types — not only in the highest-income pockets.

Which neighborhoods in Reading have higher crime?

Five neighborhoods account for the bulk of Reading's elevated crime activity. The Callowhill Historic District is the only area to receive a D+ grade, making it the highest-crime neighborhood in the analysis. Three historic districts — 6th Ward / Ricktown Arts District, Prince Historic District, and Penn's Common Historic District — each earned a C- grade, indicating moderate-to-elevated crime. Southside received a B-, placing it at the lower end of the safe range but still above the C threshold. These five neighborhoods collectively represent just 18% of the 22 neighborhoods analyzed, and only the Callowhill Historic District falls into the D-or-worse tier (4.5% of neighborhoods). Visitors and residents in these corridors are advised to stay aware of surroundings, particularly after dark, and to use Reading's interactive crime map to check recent incident activity by block.

How does Reading's poverty rate affect neighborhood safety?

Reading's 30.9% poverty rate — nearly triple the national average — and its 11.4% unemployment rate create economic pressures that correlate strongly with crime concentration in specific neighborhoods. The data bears this out clearly: the safest neighborhoods (A-grade) have median household incomes ranging from $56,667 in Northmont to $98,362 in Wyomissing, while the city-wide median sits at just $35,745. The higher-crime districts (C and D grades) are predominantly located in denser, lower-income sections of the city. With a median home value of $77,833 and a median rent of $817, Reading remains one of Pennsylvania's most affordable cities — but affordability and safety outcomes vary sharply by neighborhood. Prospective residents should cross-reference income data with crime grades when evaluating specific blocks or zip codes.

Is Reading, PA a good place to live in 2026?

Reading offers a compelling affordability case — a median home value of $77,833 and median rent of $817 put homeownership and renting within reach for households that would be priced out of Philadelphia or Allentown. The safety data adds important context: 82% of analyzed neighborhoods rate B or better, and half of all neighborhoods earn an A. For families and individuals who prioritize safety, neighborhoods like Wyomissing, Sinking Spring, West Reading, and Hampden Heights / College Heights offer strong grades alongside reasonable housing costs. The city's challenges — a D+ overall crime grade, high poverty, and elevated unemployment — are real and concentrated in a minority of districts. Reading rewards informed neighborhood research: those who use the crime map to identify A- and B-rated areas will find a city that delivers affordability and livability that many larger Pennsylvania metros cannot match.