Lehigh County, situated in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania, is home to approximately 420,000 residents. Notably, it encompasses Allentown, the state’s third-largest city and the county’s administrative center.
Despite hosting numerous historical and cultural sites, Lehigh County contains certain neighborhoods recognized for their elevated incidences of crime and violence.
Drawing from statistics provided by NeighborhoodScout, CrimeGrade, and Information Visualization, the following list presents the five most hazardous neighborhoods in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, as of the year 2022:
Allentown:
Allentown stands as the most sizable and densely inhabited city within Lehigh County, boasting approximately 95,000 denizens. However, it also holds the unfortunate distinction of possessing the highest crime rate in the county, amounting to 28.88 crimes per 1,000 residents.
This crime rate includes a notably elevated violent crime rate of 7.28 per 1,000 residents, which surpasses the national average by over two-fold.
Correspondingly, the property crime rate reaches 21.6 per 1,000 residents, exceeding the national average by more than three times. In terms of socioeconomic indicators, Allentown grapples with a poverty rate of 38% and a median household income of $30,823.
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Muhlenberg Park:
Muhlenberg Park stands as a census-designated place (CDP) with approximately 2,000 inhabitants. Situated in the northeastern section of the county, it claims the second-highest crime rate in the county, tallying 25.5 crimes per 1,000 residents.
The rate of violent crime lingers at 4 incidents per 1,000 residents, slightly below the national average. Conversely, the rate of property crime is notably higher at 21.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, which exceeds the national average by over threefold. The poverty rate in Muhlenberg Park stands at 12%, while the median household income is recorded at $56,250.
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West Reading:
West Reading stands as a borough with roughly 4,000 inhabitants, positioned in the heart of the county. It exhibits the county’s third-highest crime rate, tallying up to 24 crimes for every 1,000 residents. Notably, the incidence of violent crime rests at 3 per 1,000 residents, a figure lower than the nationwide average.
Conversely, the rate of property crimes reaches 21 per 1,000 residents, surpassing the national average by more than threefold. The poverty rate in West Reading stands at 19%, while the median household income is recorded at $47,500.
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Wyomissing:
Wyomissing, situated in the central part of the county, is a borough with approximately 10,000 residents. It ranks fourth in terms of crime rate within the county, registering 23 crimes per 1,000 residents.
The incidence of violent crime is 2 per 1,000 residents, a figure below the national average. Conversely, the property crime rate stands at 21 per 1,000 residents, which is more than three times higher than the national average. In terms of socioeconomic indicators, Wyomissing has a poverty rate of 9% and a median household income of $73,750.
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Shillington:
Shillington, situated in the southern region of the county, is a borough with a population of around 5,000 inhabitants. It holds the county’s fifth-highest crime rate, registering 22 crimes for every 1,000 residents.
The occurrence of violent crime stands at 2 per 1,000 residents, which is below the national average. On the other hand, the property crime rate is 20 per 1,000 residents, surpassing the national average by over three times. Shillington’s poverty rate is 11%, and the median household income amounts to $52,500.
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Conclusion
These five communities make up approximately a quarter (25%) of Lehigh County’s overall population. However, they account for around half (50%) of all the reported crimes in the county during 2022. These areas are also characterized as being among the least affluent and most ethnically varied regions in the county.
Even though numerous elements contribute to the occurrence of crime and violence in these neighborhoods, including insufficient access to education, job prospects, social support services, and communal amenities, it’s evident that they necessitate increased attention and intervention from both authorities and society to enhance their safety and overall quality of life.
