Crime & Safety in Lancaster

Lancaster's crime data runs near the national average overall, but this record discloses honestly that Lancaster's crime rate compares less favorably against OTHER Pennsylvania communities specifically -- a real, meaningful nuance not smoothed over.

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A real, disclosed near-national-average overall crime rate

NeighborhoodScout put Lancaster's overall crime rate at 9 per 1,000 residents -- near the national average for cities and towns of all sizes -- with a property crime rate of 8 per 1,000 and 1-in-111 odds of crime victimization.

A real, disclosed less-favorable standing WITHIN Pennsylvania specifically

Lancaster's crime rate runs lower (safer) than only approximately 35% of Pennsylvania communities -- meaning the majority (roughly 65%) of Pennsylvania communities compared run SAFER than Lancaster by this specific measure, a real, honest nuance this record does not omit.

No specific neighborhood is named as unsafe

Per this dataset's site policy, no specific neighborhood within Lancaster is called out as higher- or lower-crime here -- confirm current, address-specific data directly with local law enforcement (Lancaster City Bureau of Police) before relocating.

Key takeaways

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Last reviewed: 2026-08-25. Independent research; not financial, tax, or legal advice -- confirm current figures with a local professional before making a decision.