The 15 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a Pennsylvania city in Allegheny County. It’s the second most populated city in Pennsylvania, behind only Philadelphia. Known as the Steel City and also as the City of Bridges, Pittsburgh was once a hub of manufacturing and industry. It’s home to the University of Pittsburgh and attractions like the Andy Warhol Museum.

According to FBI statistics, the most dangerous neighborhoods in Pittsburgh are Strip District, Crawford Roberts, Northview Heights, East Allegheny, and Troy Hill. These areas routinely have the highest rates of violent and property crimes per capita in Pittsburgh, ranging from 102 to 316% more than other neighborhoods. Also, avoid visiting Allentown, Perry South, West End, and South Side Flats.

Below, we go into more detail about the most dangerous neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and what you should know about them. We also briefly cover some of the safest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. Factors used to determine the most dangerous neighborhoods in Pittsburgh include property and violent crime data and economic factors also.

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The Strip District is a Pittsburgh neighborhood located just outside downtown. There are small shops and boutiques and international grocery stores. The Strip District is also known for its diverse selection of restaurants, many of which offer globally-inspired menus.

The Strip District was industrial at its founding, with mills and foundries. The neighborhood went into decline but recently has experienced a resurgence, becoming a popular Pittsburgh shopping neighborhood. The neighborhood is on the banks of the Allegheny River.

The total crime in the Strip District is 500% greater than the national average, with violent crime being 363% higher. The crime rate in the Strip District is 203% higher than in Pittsburgh. There is a 1 in 7 chance of being a crime victim in this Pittsburgh neighborhood.

According to FBI records, a total of 14,961 crimes were reported in the 2020 calendar year. Among the offenses committed were murder and auto theft.

In total, there were 1,755 violent crimes and 13,206 property crimes. While these data may appear insignificant, the crime rate is exceptionally high when compared to the population of 714 people.

Crawford Roberts is part of Pittsburgh’s Hill District. The median household income is significantly lower than the national average in this neighborhood. The median rent is $768, with nearly 80% of residents being renters. The median home value in this Hill District community is $137,950, and around 20% of residents are homeowners.

As far as being one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, in Crawford Roberts, you have a 1 in 10 chance of being the victim of a crime. Crime rates are 307% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 212% higher.

In Crawford Roberts, there have been a total of 10,138 crimes reported for the calendar year 2020. Among them are murder, assault, rape, auto theft, burglary, and other property-related offenses.

By a wide measure, property crime outnumbers violent crime. There were 1,182 violent crimes and 8,956 property crimes reported. All of this occurred in a community with a population of 2,259 people.

Northview Heights is one of six public housing projects in Pittsburgh, but it’s often considered its own neighborhood. It’s a hilltop community annexed by the city of Pittsburgh in the 1930s. The community has its own grocery store, health center, and gym. Almost all residents are renters in Northview heights, with a median rent of $567.

The violent crime rate in Northview Heights is 568% higher than the national average, and property crime is 188% higher. The chances of being a victim of a crime in Northview Heights is 1 in 12. There is 338% more crime in Northview Heights than the average of Pittsburgh.

A total of 8,616 offenses were reported in this area. This included a wide range of crimes, including murder and theft. According to FBI statistics, there were 2,536 violent crimes and 6,080 property crimes.

East Allegheny was once a bustling suburb neighborhood of Pittsburgh where people dreamt of raising their families. However, over time, crime got worse. Eventually, it became dangerous to even walk to

According to FBI records, there were a total of 8,616 reported crimes in the 2020 calendar year. Murder and theft of property were two of the offenses committed.

Violent crimes were outnumbered by property crimes. There were 2,536 violent crimes reported per capita, with 6,080 property offenses. For a community of 1,325 residents, those are unusually high numbers.

Troy Hill is on Pittsburgh’s North Side, and it’s set high on a plateau. Troy Hill is home to La Hutte Royal, a popular Pittsburgh attraction with strange objects and art.

There’s also Penn Brewery in the neighborhood, which is one of the largest and longest-standing craft beer breweries in the city. St. Anthony’s Chapel is in Troy Hill and has the largest collection of Catholic relics outside of the Vatican.

Despite the appealing elements of Troy Hill, crime rates are 124% more than in Pittsburgh. Crime rates in the neighborhood are 192% more than the national average, and you have a 1 in 14 chance of being a crime victim. The median home value is $102,117, and the median rent is $1,162.

In the 2020 calendar year, Troy Hill, which has a population of 1,482 people, had a total of 7,277 reported offenses. These crimes include murder, rape, assault, property theft, and auto theft.

There were more violent crimes than property crimes at the time. Property crimes made up 5,978 per capita, while violent crimes made up 1,299.

Middle Hill is what’s part of the Hill District in Pittsburgh. The Hill District is bordered to the west by downtown Pittsburgh and by the Strip District to the north. The Middle Hill community has a history dating back to the early 1800s. The earliest residents of the Hill District were former slaves.

Eventually, the Hill District turned into a hub of culture, particularly for jazz. Unfortunately, following World War II, the neighborhood entered a period of economic decline and deterioration.

There have been efforts to renew the Hill District, including Middle Hill, but around 40% of residents live below the poverty level. Violent Crime in Middle Hill is 276% higher than the national average. Crime is 147% higher than in the rest of Pittsburgh. Around 72% of residents are renters, and the median home value is $97,943.

In the year 2020, there were 7.193 crimes reported in Middle Hill. Murder and rape, as well as burglary and property theft, were among the crimes committed.

At the time, property crimes outnumbered violent crimes. Property offenses were 3,067, with 975 violent crimes reported per capita.

Allentown is located in southern Pittsburgh, near downtown. Allentown has been long plagued with crime and economic issues. However, the hilltop neighborhood has seen significant investment in recent years, bringing some new development into the community.

The median home value in Allentown is $44,847, while the median rent is $812. Around 56% of neighborhood residents are renters.

According to FBI records, there were a total of 7,180 reported crimes in the 2020 calendar year. Murder and theft of property were two of the offenses committed.

Violent crimes were outnumbered by property crimes. There were 1,373 violent crimes reported per capita, with 5,807 property offenses. For a community of 2,342 residents, those are unusually high numbers.

Violent crime is 262% higher than the national average. Compared to the rest of Pittsburgh, crime in Allentown is 137% higher. Based on crime statistics, there’s a 1 in 14 chance of becoming a victim in the neighborhood.

The Spring Hill-City View Neighborhood is located near Northview Heights. The neighborhood has six borders, including the Spring Garden, East Allegheny, and Fineview neighborhoods. Spring Hill-City View is north of downtown Pittsburgh, and it’s known for its panoramic views.

There are several active groups in the neighborhood, including the Spring Hill Civic League. The median home value is $71,796, compared to a national median home value of $217,500. The median rent is $567, while the national median is $1,062.

Unfortunately, the Spring Hill-City View neighborhood does have a relatively high crime rate compared to Pittsburgh. The neighborhood crime is 158% more than in Pittsburgh. Violent crimes are 295% higher than the national average. In this Pittsburgh community, you have a 1 in 16 chance of being a crime victim.

In 2020, a total of 6,428 crimes were reported. Among the offenses committed were murder, rape, car theft, and burglary. Out of this number, 1,496 violent offenses and 4,932 property crimes were reported per capita.

The California-Kirkbride neighborhood is on the North Side of Pennsylvania. The area is bordered by Manchester, Brightwood, and Perry Hilltop. There are a number of rowhouses in California-Kirkbride that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making up the Old Allegheny Rows Historic District.

While there is historical and architectural significance that make the California-Kirkbride neighborhood unique, many people moved out in the 1970s, and it’s been difficult for it to recover fully. Violent crime is 279% higher than the national average, and total crime is 148% higher.

The chances of being a victim of crime in California-Kirkbride is 1 in 17. Around 64% of residents rent their homes, and the median rent is well below national averages at $567.

In the year 2020, 6,166 crimes were committed in California-Kirkbride. Both violent and nonviolent crimes are included in this category.

Property crimes will outweigh violent crimes in 2020. There were 1,439 violent events reported and a total of 4,727 property violations. Nonetheless, in a population of 707, this is an exceedingly high crime rate.

East Hills is a neighborhood located on the east side of Pittsburgh. It’s bordered by Penn Hills, Wilkinsburg, Homewood South, and Homewood North. There is a fairly even split of renters and owners in East Hills and a median home value of $67,138. The median rent in the neighborhood is $761. East Hill is ranked as one of the Pittsburgh neighborhoods with the lowest cost of living.

Crime in East Hills is 204% higher than in Pittsburgh. Violent crime is 364% higher than the national average, and total crime is 119% higher. The chances of being a victim of a crime in East Hills are 1 in 19.

In East Hills, there have been a total of 5,448 crimes reported for the calendar year 2020. Among them are murder, assault, rape, auto theft, burglary, and other property-related offenses.

By a wide measure, property crime outnumbers violent crime. There were 1,760 violent crimes and 3,688 property crimes reported. All of this occurred in a community with a population of 2,683 people.

Perry South is a Pittsburgh neighborhood also known as Perry Hilltop on the city’s North Side. Perry South is a hilltop neighborhood originally developed as a streetcar suburb.

Bordering neighborhoods include Perry North, Northview Heights, and Spring Hill-City View. Around 54% of Perry South residents are renters, and the median rent is $850. Forty-six percent are owners, and the median home value is $83,626.

As one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, there is 116% more crime than in other areas of the city. Crime rates are 92% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 230% higher. You have a 1 in 21 chance of being a crime victim in Perry South.

A total of 4,789 offenses were reported in this area. This included a wide range of crimes, including murder and theft. According to FBI statistics, there were 1,253 violent crimes and 3,536 property crimes.

West End is a cute little neighborhood with some local shops, a couple of eateries, and some nice victorian-style houses. However, the district is relatively small, and the crime pours in from other neighborhoods; otherwise, this area would be ideal.

According to FBI records, a total of 376 crimes were reported in the 2020 calendar year. Among the offenses committed were murder and auto theft.

In total, there were 132 violent crimes and 244 property crimes. While these data may appear insignificant, the crime rate is relatively high when compared to the population of 214 people.

The North Shore is one of Pittsburgh’s most dangerous neighborhoods. In 2014, there were 139.6 crimes per 100 residents, according to statistics. A total of 423 offenses were reported, with 112 of them being violent, including one rape, six robberies, and seven serious assaults.

According to FBI records, a total of 1,671 crimes were reported in the 2020 calendar year. Among the offenses committed were murder and auto theft.

In total, there were 269 violent crimes and 1,402 property crimes. While these data may appear insignificant, the crime rate is rather high when compared to the population of 177 people.

In 2014, the Central Business District, which has a population of 3,629 people, had an average of 48.03 crimes per 100 people. A total of 1,743 crimes were reported in the area, with over half of them being violent. There were 73 robberies and 64 aggravated assaults among the violent crimes. Crime overall became less, but violent crimes climbed.

In the year 2020, there were 1,476 crimes reported in the Central Business District. Murder and rape, as well as burglary and property theft, were among the crimes perpetrated.

At the time, property crimes outnumbered violent crimes. Property offenses were 1,238, with 238 violent crimes reported per capita.

South Side flats have seen about a 19% decrease in crime over the last two years. Authorities have worked on cleaning up this neighborhood. However, there’s still a good amount of crime here.

According to FBI records, a total of 1,438 crimes were reported in the 2020 calendar year. Among the offenses committed were murder and auto theft.

In total, there were 232 violent crimes and 1,206 property crimes. While these data may appear insignificant, the crime rate is rather high when compared to the population of 5,548 people.