Allentown, PA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Allentown, PA

Is Allentown, PA safe in 2026?

Allentown earns a city-wide Safety Rating of B (Safe) based on analysis of 33 neighborhoods. Notably, 70% of neighborhoods fall into the A or B grade range, meaning the majority of the city is considered safe by our metrics. Fourteen neighborhoods — including Rose Garden, Hamilton Park, Alton Park, and Westbrook Park — achieved a top grade of A, while nine neighborhoods earned a B. Only 3 neighborhoods (9.1%) received a D grade, and zero neighborhoods received an F. The city's overall crime grade of D+ reflects concentrated trouble spots rather than a uniformly dangerous environment, so where you live or visit within Allentown matters significantly.

What is the crime rate in Allentown, PA?

Across 33 analyzed neighborhoods, Allentown's crime distribution breaks down as follows: 42.4% of neighborhoods are Grade A, 27.3% are Grade B, 21.2% are Grade C, 9.1% are Grade D, and 0% are Grade F. That means roughly 7 in 10 Allentown neighborhoods are rated safe (A or B combined). The highest-concern areas are Downtown and Overlook Park, both graded D+, along with Jordan Heights / Old Fairgrounds (C-), Fairgrounds (C), and Susquehanna Park (C). These pockets of elevated crime pull down the city's overall D+ grade despite the strong safety profile seen across most of Allentown's residential neighborhoods.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Allentown, PA?

Ten neighborhoods stand out as the safest in Allentown for 2026. The top five — all earning a straight A grade — are:

• Rose Garden — median household income $100,366; population ~1,460
• Hamilton Park — median household income $76,667; population ~2,925
• Alton Park — median household income $82,313; population ~407
• Westbrook Park — median household income $53,395; population ~1,659
• Woodlawn Park — median household income $45,664; population ~92

Five additional neighborhoods earned an A- grade: West End Theatre District ($62,409 median income), Lehigh Parkway ($83,990 median income, largest of the top-ten at ~4,333 residents), Midway Manor ($57,029), Walden Terrace ($60,963), and Highland Park ($54,395). Across these ten neighborhoods, median household incomes range from $45,664 to $100,366 — well above the city median of $43,816 — suggesting a correlation between income levels and neighborhood safety grades in Allentown.

Which neighborhoods in Allentown have the highest crime?

The two neighborhoods with the lowest safety grades are Downtown Allentown and Overlook Park, both rated D+. Three additional neighborhoods fall in the C range: Jordan Heights / Old Fairgrounds (C-), Fairgrounds (C), and Susquehanna Park (C). Together, these five areas account for roughly 15% of the 33 neighborhoods analyzed. Visitors and residents in these areas are encouraged to stay aware of surroundings, secure vehicles and property, and report suspicious activity to the Allentown Police Department. The remaining 85% of neighborhoods rate C+ or higher.

Is Allentown a good place to live in 2026?

Allentown offers a compelling affordability case: the median home value is $135,994 and median rent is $1,035/month, both well below national averages. The city's population of 688,658 supports a full range of services, cultural amenities, and employment options in the broader Lehigh Valley region. Challenges include a 25.6% poverty rate and 10% unemployment rate, which are above national norms and contribute to crime concentration in certain districts. However, with 70% of neighborhoods graded A or B for safety, families and professionals who choose areas like Lehigh Parkway, Hamilton Park, or Rose Garden can access affordable housing alongside strong neighborhood safety grades. Allentown rewards careful neighborhood research — the data shows a city with genuine safe havens alongside areas that need continued investment.

How does Allentown's neighborhood safety compare across income levels?

The data reveals a clear pattern: the nine A-grade neighborhoods in Allentown have median household incomes ranging from $45,664 (Woodlawn Park) to $100,366 (Rose Garden), compared to the city-wide median of $43,816. All five top-rated neighborhoods exceed the city median income, and the A- neighborhoods — including Lehigh Parkway at $83,990 and West End Theatre District at $62,409 — follow the same trend. Conversely, the D+ neighborhoods of Downtown and Overlook Park are associated with the city's lower-income census tracts. This income-safety correlation is consistent with national urban research and underscores why Allentown's overall D+ city grade coexists with a B city-wide safety rating: 42.4% of its neighborhoods are genuinely safe, Grade-A communities.