Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh

By PropertyClub Team
May 16th 2023
Pittsburgh is a historic city known for its athletic teams and culinary attractions. Despite being a regional cultural and economic hub, Pittsburgh has quite a few neighborhoods that are best avoided. Most of the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods are located on the city’s north side, with some exceptions. Read on to discover the worst areas in Pittsburgh for crime. 

hash-mark10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh

  1. Strip District
  2. Crawford Roberts
  3.  Northview Heights
  4. Troy Hill
  5. Spring Hill-City View
  6. Middle Hill
  7. California-Kirkbride
  8. East Allegheny 
  9. Allentown
  10. East Hills

hash-mark1. Strip District

The most dangerous neighborhood in Pittsburgh is the Strip District. This neighborhood is located just outside of downtown and has a population of 714. The total crime rate in the Strip District is 14,961 per 100,000, which is 538% higher than the US average. The Strip District has a high violent crime rate, with the murder rate being well above the Pennsylvania state average. Other types of crimes that are common in the area include drug activity, auto theft, and other petty crimes. 

hash-mark2. Crawford Roberts

Crawford Roberts is also one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Pittsburg. It is part of Pittsburgh’s Hill District and has a population of 2,259. With a crime rate that is 332% higher than the US average, residents and visitors are constantly advised by police to be on alert. Violent crimes such as murder, assault, and robberies are common. Property crime occurs at a disproportionately high rate, with car thefts and personal theft being very common. Residents are discouraged from leaving personal belongings unattended in their cars. 

hash-mark3. Northview Heights

Northview Heights is another one of the worst neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. It is a public housing project located in north Pittsburgh that is known for its high crime rate. Although it only has a population of 1,325, Northview Heights has a crime rate that is 267% higher than the national average. Many residents in Northview Heights live well under with poverty line, with the median income being just $12,742. Northview Heights has a high rate of violent crime, including gang activity, drug trafficking, and a high rate of property theft. 

hash-mark4. Troy Hill

Troy Hill is located on Pittsburgh’s north side and has a population of 1,482. Troy Hill is home to La Hutte Royal, which is a popular art exhibit. Troy Hill has a crime rate of 7,277 per 100,000 which is 258% higher than the Pennsylvania state average. Troy Hill is best characterized as a working-class neighborhood, having a median household income of $58,700. 

hash-mark5. Spring Hill-City View

Spring Hill City View is located near Northview Heights and has a crime rate that is 216% higher than the Pennsylvania state average. Spring Hill is known for its great skyline views of Pittsburgh and serves as a prime spot for local photographers. Unfortunately, Spring Hill-City View has a high crime rate and a particularly high property crime rate. Violent crime does occur, with assaults and occasional homicides. 

hash-mark6. Middle Hill

Middle Hill is another one of the most violent neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. The neighborhood is part of Pittsburgh’s Hill District and is located west of downtown. With a population of 2,062, Middle Hill’s crime rate is 207% higher than the US average. Middle Hill has a long history of being a music and cultural hub for Pittsburgh. However, property crime in Middle Hill remains a concern. Crimes like theft, break-ins, and car theft are common, with drug trafficking being a regular occurrence. 

hash-mark7. California-Kirkbride

The California-Kirkbride neighborhood is a small community located in Pittsburgh’s north side with a population of just 707 people. California-Kirkbride is a historic neighborhood with many architecturally significant buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The crime rate in California-Kirkbride is 203% higher than the Pennsylvania state average, with crimes such as assault, burglary, car theft, and drug trafficking being common. 

hash-mark8. East Allegheny 

East Allegheny is a dangerous neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s north side and has a population of 1,325. The crime rate in East Allegheny is 3,578 per 100,000, which is 76% higher than the Pennsylvania average. East Allegheny may not be as dangerous as other parts of the city, but it still has violent crimes like assault, muggings, and occasional homicides. Even though East Allegheny has a high crime rate, this neighborhood is still home to many of the city’s oldest buildings. 

hash-mark9. Allentown

Another one of the worst areas in Pittsburgh is Allentown. This dangerous neighborhood is located in southern Pittsburgh near downtown and has a population of 2,342. Allentown has longstanding issues related to crime, with some reduction in recent years due to revitalization efforts in the neighborhood. The total crime rate in Allentown is 2,670 per 100,000 people, which is 31% higher than the state average. While violent crime does occur, property crime is by far the biggest concern in Allentown. 

hash-mark10. East Hills

East Hills is located on the east side of Pittsburgh and has a population of 2,683. East Hills is best characterized as a working-class neighborhood with a median home value of $67,138. Much of the crime in East Hills relates to theft and property crime, but violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and occasional homicide occur.