York, PA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 98% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 14+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is York Safe?
No — York has high crime rates
Take precautions: avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables secured.
York has a crime rate that is 183% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 101.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Springdale earn an B+ safety grade, while Historic Newton Square rates D+. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting York.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 101
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
160% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 17
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
215% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
York 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
|
284 | +184% | High | |
|
Assault
|
264 | +164% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
259 | +159% | High | |
|
Rape
|
224 | +124% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
243 | +143% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
298 | +198% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
295 | +195% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
York Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in York?
Safety varies dramatically across York's 14+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 14 neighborhoods in York
All York Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springdale | B+ | 111 |
| 2 | Devers | B | 152 |
| 3 | Veterans Memorial Park | B- | 136 |
| 4 | The Avenues | B- | 170 |
| 5 | Salem Square | C+ | 155 |
| 6 | Northeast | C+ | 172 |
| 7 | East Side | C | 174 |
| 8 | Southwest | C | 155 |
| 9 | West Philadelphia Street | C | 186 |
| 10 | Doctors Row | C- | 184 |
| 11 | Yorktowne | C- | 196 |
| 12 | Downtown East / Olde Towne East | C- | 189 |
| 13 | Northwest | D+ | 178 |
| 14 | Historic Newton Square | D+ | 196 |
York Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific York zip codes.
York Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in York, PA?
York, PA has a crime safety grade of D as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 183% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 101 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 17 chance for property crime. York has higher crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is York, PA safe to live in?
York has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D. Approximately 29% of the city's 14 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Springdale is one of the safest areas, while Historic Newton Square has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting York is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in York?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in York are Springdale, Devers, Veterans Memorial Park, The Avenues, and Salem Square. 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 York?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in York include Historic Newton Square, Northwest, Downtown East / Olde Towne East, Yorktowne, and Doctors Row. 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 York?
The estimated violent crime rate in York is 988.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 160% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 101 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 14.2 per 100K (184% above average); aggravated assault at 707.6 per 100K (164% above average); robbery at 191.2 per 100K (159% above average).
What is the property crime rate in York?
The estimated property crime rate in York is 5,774.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 215% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 17 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 656.3 per 100K (143% above average); larceny/theft at 4,178.8 per 100K (198% above average); vehicle theft at 939.4 per 100K (195% above average).
How does York crime compare to the national average?
York's overall crime rate is 183% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (198% above average), while rape is 124% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, York has higher crime than 98% of them.
Is York safe to visit?
Visitors to York should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 215% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Springdale, Devers, Veterans Memorial Park.
How does York crime compare to the rest of Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania as a whole has crime that is 0% below the national average. York's crime rate is 183% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Pennsylvania city.
What type of crime is most common in York?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in York, with an estimated rate of 4,178.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 198% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (5,775 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (988 per 100K) in York, which is consistent with national trends.