St. Marys, PA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in St. Marys, PA

How safe is St. Marys, PA overall?

St. Marys earns an A+ overall crime grade — the highest possible rating — making it one of the safest communities in Pennsylvania and the country. With a population of roughly 12,333 spread across a low-density landscape of just 47 residents per square mile, the city's wide-open, small-town character naturally limits the conditions that drive higher crime rates. A poverty rate of only 9.2% and a median household income of $54,950 reflect a relatively stable economic base, both of which are strongly correlated with lower crime levels. Residents consistently describe St. Marys as a place where people know their neighbors, doors stay unlocked, and the community looks out for one another. By any measurable standard, St. Marys is an exceptionally safe place to live, work, and visit.

What is the crime rate in St. Marys compared to national averages?

St. Marys' A+ crime grade means its crime rate falls well below both Pennsylvania state averages and national benchmarks. For a city of 12,333 people, this rating reflects a community where violent crime is rare and property crime is minimal. Nationally, cities of similar population size often score in the C or B range; St. Marys outperforms the vast majority of its peers. The city's low unemployment rate context — 6.4%, which, while slightly above the national average, is offset by affordable housing with a median home value of $120,991 and a median rent of just $654 — means financial stress on residents is limited, a key factor in keeping crime suppressed. The result is a crime environment that most comparable cities simply cannot match.

What types of crime are most common in St. Marys?

Even in a city with an A+ crime grade, some incidents do occur. In St. Marys, the most frequently reported offenses tend to be minor property-related matters — think small-scale theft, occasional vandalism, or vehicle break-ins — rather than violent crime. Violent incidents such as assault or robbery are exceptionally rare given the city's size and density of just 47 people per square mile. Drug-related offenses have been a focus of local law enforcement attention, consistent with trends seen across rural Pennsylvania. Importantly, the overall volume of incidents across all categories remains extremely low relative to the population of 12,333, which is precisely why the city maintains its top-tier safety grade. No specific neighborhood in St. Marys stands out as a persistent crime hotspot.

What are the safest neighborhoods in St. Marys?

Because St. Marys carries an A+ overall crime grade, safety is broadly distributed across the city rather than concentrated in just one or two pockets. Residential areas near the downtown district, the neighborhoods surrounding the city park, and the South St. Marys corridor are all considered very safe by residents and local law enforcement alike. The city's extremely low population density — 47 residents per square mile — means that even the more centrally active areas feel spacious and low-pressure compared to urban environments. Community-oriented neighborhoods with active block associations and proximity to local services tend to see the fewest reported incidents. For the most current, block-level detail, the St. Marys Police Department's crime data resources and third-party mapping tools can help pinpoint any localized fluctuations.

Is St. Marys a good place to live based on safety and cost of living?

The data makes a compelling case. St. Marys combines an A+ crime grade with a median home value of $120,991 and a median rent of just $654 per month — figures that are dramatically lower than most cities that achieve comparable safety scores. The median household income of $54,950 goes considerably further here than it would in a higher-cost metro area. The poverty rate of 9.2% and unemployment rate of 6.4% are both moderate, and neither figure is high enough to exert significant upward pressure on crime. For families, retirees, or anyone seeking a genuinely safe community without paying a premium for it, St. Marys represents a rare combination: top-rated safety, affordable housing, and a tight-knit small-town culture embedded in the natural beauty of Elk County.

How can I track recent crime incidents in St. Marys?

The most reliable starting point is the St. Marys Police Department's official website, which publishes updated crime data and incident reports. Third-party platforms such as CrimeMapping.com and SpotCrime also aggregate local law enforcement data into visual, searchable maps that let you filter by crime type and date range. Given St. Marys' A+ crime grade and small population of 12,333, the overall volume of reportable incidents is low, meaning the map will typically reflect a quiet community. Setting up alerts on these platforms can notify you of any new activity near your home or neighborhood, helping you stay informed even when incidents are infrequent.