Hampden Heights / College Heights Neighborhood, Reading

Crime Rate & Statistics

A-

Safe neighborhood — below-average crime across most categories

Safer than 59% of neighborhoods in Reading

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime Low

Low 70 / 300 High

Violent Crime 126

26% above national avg

Property Crime 154

54% above national avg

City Ranking

59%

safer than other

Reading neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Reading

Is Hampden Heights / College Heights Safe?

Yes — this neighborhood is safe. Hampden Heights / College Heights in Reading, PA has a safety grade of A-. The overall crime index is 70, which is 30% below the national average of 100. Hampden Heights / College Heights is safer than 59% of neighborhoods in Reading.

Compared to the Reading average (crime index 118), Hampden Heights / College Heights is 48% lower in overall crime. This neighborhood is significantly safer than Reading as a whole, making it an attractive option for safety-conscious residents.

Looking at specific crime types, larceny / theft is the most elevated concern (index: 167, 67% above average), while assault is the lowest risk (index: 83). Property crime is more prevalent than violent crime here, consistent with broader national patterns.

Highest Risk

Larceny / Theft · Index 167 (67% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Assault · Index 83 (17% below avg)

Hampden Heights / College Heights Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Reading city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Reading	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	125	+25%	+4%	Moderate
Assault	83	-17%	-38%	Average
Robbery	161	+61%	+55%	High
Rape	136	+36%	N/A	Moderate
Property Crime
Burglary	141	+41%	+26%	Moderate
Larceny / Theft	167	+67%	+28%	High
Vehicle Theft	155	+55%	+21%	High

How Hampden Heights / College Heights Compares

Crime index by category: Hampden Heights / College Heights vs Reading average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Hampden Heights / College Heights Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Hampden Heights / College Heights Demographics & Context

Population

3,379

Median Income

$67,277

Home Value

$206,062

Median Age

Pop. Density

4,313/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 17.2%

Graduate Degree 11.3%

Housing

67%

33%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 66%

Black 12.9%

Hispanic 28.6%

Asian 4.5%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Northmont Index: 74

Outlet District Index: 144

B-

Centre Park Historic District Index: 152

B-

Glenside Index: 145

Penn's Common Historic District Index: 181

C-

East Reading Index: 151

Queen Anne Historic District Index: 140

6th Ward / Ricktown Arts District Index: 172

C-

Hampden Heights / College Heights Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Reading Crime Statistics

View all Reading neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Hampden Heights / College Heights, Reading?

Hampden Heights / College Heights in Reading, PA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 70, which is 30% below the national average. Compared to the Reading average, crime in Hampden Heights / College Heights is 48% lower. Hampden Heights / College Heights is safer than 59% of neighborhoods in Reading.

Is Hampden Heights / College Heights a safe neighborhood in Reading?

Hampden Heights / College Heights is generally considered a safe neighborhood in Reading, earning a crime grade of A-. The highest concern is Larceny / Theft (index: 167), while Assault is the lowest risk (index: 83).

How does Hampden Heights / College Heights compare to the rest of Reading?

Hampden Heights / College Heights's overall crime index is 70, compared to the Reading average of 118. This means crime in Hampden Heights / College Heights is 48% lower than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 126, and for property crime it is 154. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Hampden Heights / College Heights?

The most prevalent crime type in Hampden Heights / College Heights is Larceny / Theft, with a crime index of 167 (67% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Hampden Heights / College Heights?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Northmont, Outlet District, Centre Park Historic District and Glenside. These areas are close to Hampden Heights / College Heights and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Hampden Heights / College Heights?

Hampden Heights / College Heights has a population of approximately 3,379. The median household income is $67,277. The median home value is $206,062. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Hampden Heights / College Heights crime compare to the national average?

Hampden Heights / College Heights's overall crime rate is 30% below the national average (index 70 vs 100). Within Reading, it is safer than 59% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.