Wilkes-barre, PA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Wilkes-Barre, PA

What is Wilkes-Barre's overall crime grade?

Wilkes-Barre earns an overall crime grade of C for 2026, placing it in the moderate-risk tier among Pennsylvania cities of comparable size. This grade reflects a city where crime is neither negligible nor overwhelming — roughly 40–50% of U.S. cities perform better, while a comparable share perform worse. The C grade is influenced by socioeconomic pressures: a poverty rate of 23.3% and an unemployment rate of 9.3% both run significantly above national averages and correlate with elevated property and violent crime activity in concentrated pockets of the city.

How safe is Wilkes-Barre compared to the rest of Pennsylvania?

With a population of approximately 40,805 and a population density of 2,300 residents per square mile, Wilkes-Barre sits in the mid-range for urban density in Pennsylvania. Its C crime grade means it underperforms compared to lower-density suburban communities in the Wyoming Valley but is broadly comparable to other small post-industrial cities in the state. Property crimes — including theft, burglary, and vehicle theft — account for the largest share of reported incidents citywide, which is consistent with national patterns for cities where the median household income ($40,505) and median home value ($78,396) fall well below state medians.

Which Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods have the most crime activity?

Crime in Wilkes-Barre is not evenly distributed. Incident data consistently shows higher concentrations of both property and violent crime reports in and around the downtown core and certain sections of the South Wilkes-Barre corridor, where population density and economic stress are most acute. Neighborhoods closer to the outer edges of the city — including areas bordering Kingston and the Wyoming Valley suburbs — tend to log fewer incidents per capita. Residents researching specific blocks should filter the interactive crime map by incident type and date range to identify current hotspots rather than relying on generalized neighborhood reputations.

What types of crime are most common in Wilkes-Barre?

Property crime makes up the dominant share of all reported offenses in Wilkes-Barre, with theft and larceny representing the single largest category — estimated at roughly 50–55% of total incidents. Burglary and motor vehicle theft together contribute an additional estimated 15–20%. Violent crimes — including assault and robbery — account for a smaller but meaningful share, concentrated primarily in the downtown district and adjacent high-density blocks. Substance-related offenses also appear frequently in incident logs, reflecting broader regional challenges with drug activity that affect crime metrics across Luzerne County. Vandalism and disorderly conduct round out the remaining incident categories.

Is Wilkes-Barre a good place to live given its crime grade?

A C crime grade does not make Wilkes-Barre off-limits — it signals that informed decision-making matters. The city's median rent of $757/month and median home value of $78,396 make it one of the more affordable urban options in northeastern Pennsylvania, which draws residents who weigh cost of living heavily. Families and individuals who research neighborhood-level crime data, engage with local watch programs, and choose blocks with lower incident densities often report satisfactory quality of life. Areas near Nanticoke and the northern residential sections of the city consistently show lighter crime footprints than the downtown core. The key is using current, block-level data — not city-wide averages — to guide housing decisions.

How does Wilkes-Barre's poverty rate affect its crime statistics?

The connection is direct and well-documented. Wilkes-Barre's 23.3% poverty rate — nearly double the U.S. national average of roughly 12% — is one of the strongest predictors of its C crime grade. Research consistently shows that cities where more than one-fifth of residents live below the poverty line experience elevated rates of both property crime (driven by economic desperation) and violent crime (driven by stress, instability, and concentrated disadvantage). The city's 9.3% unemployment rate compounds this dynamic. Neighborhoods where poverty is most concentrated — particularly in parts of downtown and South Wilkes-Barre — show the highest incident densities on the crime map, while lower-poverty areas near the city's edges grade out considerably better.

What safety precautions should I take in Wilkes-Barre?

Given the C overall grade and the property-crime-heavy incident profile, practical precautions focus heavily on securing valuables. Vehicle theft and theft from vehicles are among the most frequently reported incidents, so parking in well-lit areas and removing visible items from cars is especially important. Home security measures — deadbolt locks, exterior lighting, and camera systems — are worth prioritizing in higher-density blocks downtown. Residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts through the Wilkes-Barre Police Department and to report suspicious activity promptly, as community reporting directly improves the accuracy of the crime map and helps officers allocate patrols. Checking the map weekly, rather than relying on annual summaries, gives the most actionable picture of current risk.