Pottsville, PA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 76% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 17+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Pottsville Safe?
Yes — Pottsville is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Pottsville has a crime rate that is 40% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 414.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Forest Hills earn an A+ safety grade, while Guinea Hill rates A-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Pottsville.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 414
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
37% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 82
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
33% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Pottsville Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Pottsville Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Pottsville?
Safety varies dramatically across Pottsville's 17+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 8Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 17 neighborhoods in Pottsville
All Pottsville Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Hills | A+ | 90 |
| 2 | Forest Hills West | A+ | 90 |
| 3 | Hillside | A+ | 91 |
| 4 | Morrisville | A+ | 92 |
| 5 | Quinntown | A | 114 |
| 6 | Cottage Hill East | A | 97 |
| 7 | Lawton's Hill | A | 79 |
| 8 | Greenwood Hill | A | 133 |
| 9 | Yorktowne | A | 111 |
| 10 | Cottage Hill West | A | 120 |
| 11 | York Farm | A | 159 |
| 12 | Jalappa | A | 188 |
| 13 | Bunker Hill | A | 177 |
| 14 | Fishbach | A | 134 |
| 15 | Mount Hope | A | 177 |
| 16 | Center City | A | 189 |
| 17 | Guinea Hill | A- | 194 |
Pottsville Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Pottsville zip codes.
Pottsville Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Pottsville, PA?
Pottsville, PA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 414 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 82 chance for property crime. Pottsville has lower crime than 76% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Pottsville, PA safe to live in?
Pottsville is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. Approximately 100% of the city's 17 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Forest Hills is one of the safest areas, while Guinea Hill has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Pottsville is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Pottsville?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Pottsville are Forest Hills, Forest Hills West, Hillside, Morrisville, and Quinntown. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Pottsville?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Pottsville include Guinea Hill, Center City, Mount Hope, Fishbach, and Jalappa. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Pottsville?
The estimated violent crime rate in Pottsville is 241.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 37% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 414 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (37% below average); aggravated assault at 180.4 per 100K (33% below average); robbery at 35.4 per 100K (52% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Pottsville?
The estimated property crime rate in Pottsville is 1,223.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 33% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 82 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 130.3 per 100K (52% below average); larceny/theft at 870.4 per 100K (38% below average); vehicle theft at 222.7 per 100K (30% below average).
How does Pottsville crime compare to the national average?
Pottsville's overall crime rate is 40% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (30% below average), while robbery is 52% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Pottsville has lower crime than 76% of them.
Is Pottsville safe to visit?
Pottsville is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 33% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Forest Hills, Forest Hills West, Hillside.
How does Pottsville crime compare to the rest of Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania as a whole has crime that is 0% below the national average. Pottsville's crime rate is 40% below the national average, making it safer the typical Pennsylvania city.
What type of crime is most common in Pottsville?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Pottsville, with an estimated rate of 870.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 38% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,223 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (241 per 100K) in Pottsville, which is consistent with national trends.