Wilkes-barre, PA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 72% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Wilkes-barre Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Wilkes-barre has a crime rate that is 8% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 235.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 235
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
12% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 41
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
32% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Wilkes-barre 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
|
114 | +14% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
115 | +15% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
113 | +13% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
126 | +26% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
128 | +28% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Wilkes-barre Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Wilkes-barre Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Wilkes-barre, PA?
Wilkes-barre, PA has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 8% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 235 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. Wilkes-barre has higher crime than 72% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Wilkes-barre, PA safe to live in?
Wilkes-barre has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Wilkes-barre is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Wilkes-barre?
The estimated violent crime rate in Wilkes-barre is 424.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 12% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 235 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.7 per 100K (14% above average); aggravated assault at 296.5 per 100K (11% above average); robbery at 84.7 per 100K (15% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Wilkes-barre?
The estimated property crime rate in Wilkes-barre is 2,421.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 244.8 per 100K (9% below average); larceny/theft at 1,769.4 per 100K (26% above average); vehicle theft at 407.6 per 100K (28% above average).
How does Wilkes-barre crime compare to the national average?
Wilkes-barre's overall crime rate is 8% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (28% above average), while burglary is 9% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Wilkes-barre has higher crime than 72% of them.
Is Wilkes-barre safe to visit?
Visitors to Wilkes-barre should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 32% above 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.
How does Wilkes-barre crime compare to the rest of Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania as a whole has crime that is 0% below the national average. Wilkes-barre's crime rate is 8% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Pennsylvania city.
What type of crime is most common in Wilkes-barre?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Wilkes-barre, with an estimated rate of 1,769.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 26% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,422 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (425 per 100K) in Wilkes-barre, which is consistent with national trends.