When you hear about Pennsylvania, you might think of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, famous for the Liberty Bell, Declaration of Independence, and Hershey’s Chocolate Factory. The state is also known for its beautiful mountains, forests, and lakes.
However, there’s a darker side to Pennsylvania marked by crime, poverty, and violence. One city, McKees Rocks, is considered the most dangerous in the state and one of the riskiest in the country. This article will delve into why McKees Rocks faces these challenges and discuss possible solutions for improvement.
| About McKees Rocks | |
| Population | 5,920 |
| Crime rate | 6,409 per 100,000 |
| Violent crime rate | 205% higher than PA average |
| Property crime rate | 101% higher than PA average |
| Median household income | $28,950 |
| Poverty rate | 27.90% |
| Unemployment rate | 9.10% |
| High school diploma | 77.90% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 10.90% |
| School quality | 29% lower than national average |
Pennsylvania has a lot of history, diverse culture, and beautiful landscapes, but not all its cities are safe. According to different sources, the riskiest city in Pennsylvania is McKees Rocks, a small town in Allegheny County.
Even though McKees Rocks has only about 5,920 people, its crime rate is high – 6,409 incidents for every 100,000 residents. That makes it 173% more dangerous than the national average and safer than just 2% of other US cities.
Living in McKees Rocks means you have a 1 in 15 chance of being a victim of a crime, whether it’s violent or related to property.
The violent crime rate in McKees Rocks is especially concerning, being 205% higher than the average in Pennsylvania.
In 2020, there were 106 violent crimes reported, including things like murder, rape, robbery, and assault. Residents face a 1 in 58 chance of experiencing a violent crime, compared to a 1 in 315 chance in the state.
The property crime rate in McKees Rocks is also high, 101% above the state average. In 2020, there were 262 property crimes reported, including burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Residents have a 1 in 22 chance of experiencing a property crime, compared to a 1 in 63 chance in the state.
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Possible Factors for the High Crime Rate
High crime rates in McKees Rocks can be linked to factors like low income. The median household income here is $28,950, which is 47% below the national average. Poverty is also a concern, with a rate of 27.9%, more than double the national average of 13.4%. Unemployment is high at 9.1%, compared to the national average of 6.0%.
Limited educational opportunities contribute to the challenges. Only 77.9% of residents have a high school diploma, and just 10.9% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. These figures are below the national averages of 88.3% and 32.1%, respectively. School quality is also a concern, with average test scores 29% lower than the national average.
McKees Rocks is facing various difficulties, and its crime rate reflects this. It’s considered the most dangerous city in Pennsylvania and one of the riskier ones in the country.
Residents and visitors should be cautious and take steps to protect themselves and their belongings. While there’s potential for improvement, it will require significant effort and resources to make McKees Rocks a safer and more livable community.
To Conclude
McKees Rocks is a place in Pennsylvania that faces serious problems, even though the state looks nice overall. Issues like poverty, not enough education, and not many jobs lead to a high crime rate, making it the riskiest city in the state.
While it’s important for people in McKees Rocks to be cautious, the real way to make things better is by dealing with the root causes. To change things, there needs to be a joint effort to improve job opportunities, education, and overall quality of life.
This will help McKees Rocks become a safer and better community. It might be a tough journey, but achieving a safer and more livable McKees Rocks will show how powerful it is when people work together to tackle city problems.
