Luzerne County is situated in northeastern Pennsylvania and has a population of approximately 317,000. Its largest city and county seat is Wilkes-Barre, where Wilkes University and King’s College are located.
The county is renowned for its history of coal mining, natural landscapes, and cultural diversity, exemplified by attractions like the Mohegan Sun Arena, Seven Tubs Nature Area, and Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre. However, not all areas within the county offer safety and tranquility.
According to crime statistics from CrimeGrade.org, several neighborhoods in Luzerne County experience higher rates of violent and property crimes compared to the national average. Here are five neighborhoods considered the most perilous within Luzerne County, based on crime rates per capita:
Hazleton:
Hazleton, situated south of Wilkes-Barre, is an urban area with around 25,000 residents. The city reports a crime rate of 64.9 per 1,000 residents, more than twice the county’s average of 28.8. Hazleton faces issues of robbery, assault, burglary, theft, drug-related problems, and gang activity.
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Wilkes-Barre:
Located at the heart of the county, Wilkes-Barre is an urban center with about 41,000 inhabitants. The city’s crime rate stands at 56.9 per 1,000 residents, nearly twice the county’s average.
Wilkes-Barre grapples with elevated rates of murder, rape, robbery, assault, and arson. Additionally, environmental concerns such as air and soil pollution affect the city.
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Nanticoke:
Nanticoke, to the west of Wilkes-Barre, is a mix of residential and industrial zones, with approximately 10,000 residents.
The city’s crime rate of 51.9 per 1,000 residents surpasses the county’s average. Burglary, theft, auto theft, vandalism, floods, and storms are among the challenges faced by Nanticoke.
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Pittston:
North of Wilkes-Barre, Pittston is a suburban area housing around 7,000 residents. With a crime rate of 46.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than the county’s average, Pittston contends with issues like robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and drug offenses. Traffic congestion and noise pollution from nearby highways are additional concerns.
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Kingston:
To the east of Wilkes-Barre, Kingston is a rural borough with roughly 13,000 residents. The borough’s crime rate of 41 per 1,000 residents exceeds the county’s average.
High rates of assault, burglary, theft, and vandalism are observed in Kingston, which is also known for its historical tales of haunting and paranormal activity.
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Conclusion:
These neighborhoods in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, stand out for their higher crime rates. Despite potential positive attributes and prospects for improvement, they also present notable risks and difficulties for both inhabitants and visitors. Vigilance and awareness are recommended for those traveling to or residing in these areas.
