Property crime is a severe problem that threatens the safety and well-being of many communities in the United States. Burglary, theft, arson, and vandalism are examples of property crimes, and they can have a severe influence on the quality of life, economic growth, and social cohesion of affected communities.
According to the most recent statistics from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, the national average property crime rate in 2019 was 21.1 per 1,000 persons. However, certain Pennsylvania communities have substantially higher rates than the national average, ranking among the most hazardous areas in the country for property crime.
Mckees Rocks: Most Dangerous City for Property Crime in Pennsylvania
McKees Rocks, a town of around 6,000 inhabitants in Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, has one of Pennsylvania’s highest property crime rates. According to UCR statistics, McKees Rocks had a property crime rate of 73.2 occurrences per 1,000 inhabitants in 2019, which is more than three times the national average and the state’s highest. McKees Rocks has a long history of industrial collapse, poverty, and social issues, which may contribute to the area’s high property crime rates.
The borough’s median household income is $28,750, less than half the state average of $60,905. It also has a poverty rate of 35.4%, more than double the state average of 12.5%. Furthermore, McKees Rocks has a high rate of violent crime, with 20.7 occurrences per 1,000 inhabitants in 2019—the most in the state.
Other Cities With High Property Crime Rates in Pennsylvania
McKees Rocks isn’t the only city in Pennsylvania with high property crime rates. According to UCR statistics, other cities with property crime rates over 40 incidences per 1,000 people in 2019 include:
Darby, a municipality of around 10,000 inhabitants in Delaware County, has a property crime incidence of 54.8 occurrences per 1,000 residents.
Chester, a city of around 34,000 inhabitants in Delaware County, with a property crime rate of 52.6 incidences per 1,000 residents.
McKeesport, is a city of around 19,000 inhabitants in Allegheny County, with a property crime rate of 51.9 occurrences per 1,000 residents.
Yeadon, a municipality of around 11,000 inhabitants in Delaware County, has a property crime rate of 48.8 occurrences per 1,000 residents.
These cities also have several traits that may be linked to high property crime rates, including low income, high poverty, high unemployment, and high violent crime rates.
Conclusion
Property crime poses a substantial danger to communities, with rates in some Pennsylvania localities, such as McKees Rocks, significantly above the national average. McKees Rocks, which has seen industrial decline and societal issues, is the state’s most hazardous city for property crime. Other cities, like Darby, Chester, McKeesport, and Yeadon, have comparable features, such as low income and high poverty, which contribute to high property crime rates.