Is Coatesville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Coatesville

Coatesville, Pennsylvania, situated in Chester County, offers a blend of historical industrial roots and evolving community life. This city, once a hub for steel production, now presents a diverse landscape for potential residents. It is a place where the past is visible in its architecture, while the present is shaped by ongoing community development and a changing economic base.

Navigating the decision to move to a new city involves understanding its core characteristics. Coatesville is no exception, requiring a look into its safety, economic opportunities, living expenses, and overall quality of life. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, to assist those considering it as their next home.

Is it Safe to Live in Coatesville?

Coatesville’s crime rate is a significant consideration for prospective residents. The city experiences crime rates that are considerably higher than the national average across all communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Coatesville is 1 in 163, and property crime is 1 in 55 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

When compared to other communities of similar population size, Coatesville’s combined violent and property crime rate is notably above average. Relative to the state of Pennsylvania, Coatesville’s crime rate is higher than that of 94% of the state’s cities and towns (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The FBI crime data indicates that Coatesville is not among the safest communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent Crime Statistics

The violent crime rate in Coatesville averages 150.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 41.4% above the national average (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). Robbery, a component of violent crime, has an annual rate of 7.5 per 100,000 residents, exceeding the national average of 5.8 per 100,000 (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). Aggravated assault rates also stand higher than the national average, at 37.5 per 100,000 residents (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer).

In the period between 2019 and 2023, Coatesville recorded 751 violent crimes (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). The city’s violent crime rate is significantly higher than Pennsylvania’s average rate (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Property Crime Statistics

Coatesville’s property crime rate averages 150.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 8.2% below the national average (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). However, specific types of property crime, such as burglary, show a higher rate than the national average. The burglary rate in Coatesville is 30.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 24.0 per 100,000 (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer).

Over the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, the city recorded 754 property crimes (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). While the overall property crime rate is slightly lower than the national average, the chance of becoming a victim of property crime is still a consideration for residents.

Cost of Living in Coatesville

The cost of living in Coatesville presents a mixed picture for potential residents. Overall, Coatesville’s cost of living is 7% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). However, other sources indicate it is 4% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Housing expenses in Coatesville are reported to be 1% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices are 9% higher than the national average, and transportation expenses are 4% higher (as reported by Payscale).

Housing Costs

The median home value in Coatesville is approximately $159,715 (as reported by Livability.com). Other data suggests the average home value in Coatesville, PA is $384,165 as of March 2026 (as reported by Zillow). In March 2026, Coatesville home prices were up 69.8% compared to the previous year, selling for a median price of $295,000 (as reported by Redfin).

For renters, the median monthly rent in Coatesville is approximately $1,242 (as reported by Livability.com). As of May 2026, the average rent in Coatesville, PA is $1,270 per month, which is 23% lower than the national average rent of $1,642 per month (as reported by Apartments.com).

Income and Affordability

The average annual household income in Coatesville was $75,870 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income in Coatesville is $59,999 (as reported by Livability.com), with a median income of $59,256 reported by another source (as reported by Point2Homes). For renters, the median household income was $41,684 in 2022 (as reported by Point2Homes).

The rent-to-income ratio in Coatesville is 42.3%, indicating the portion of earnings that goes towards housing expenses for renters (as reported by Point2Homes). The cost of living index in Coatesville stands at 96, meaning it is 4% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Job Market and Economy

Coatesville’s job market is powered by a workforce of approximately 6,494 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The employment rate in Coatesville is 95.2% (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of the working population, 74.9%, is employed in professional or administrative positions (as reported by Point2Homes).

Major employers in the broader Chester County area, which includes Coatesville, encompass a range of industries. These include financial services, online retail, government, hospitals, educational institutions, and grocery stores (as reported by Chester County Planning Commission). Specific companies in Coatesville include Keystone Helicopter Holdings, Inc., and Coatesville Hospital Corporation (as reported by Zippia).

Employment Trends

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Coatesville grew by 2.92%, increasing from 6,310 to 6,490 employees (as reported by Data USA). The most common job groups are in Office & Administrative Support Occupations, Sales & Related Occupations, and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (as reported by Data USA).

The unemployment rate in Coatesville stands at 4.8% (as reported by Point2Homes). Another report indicates an employment rate of 94.31% in Coatesville, PA (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). Unemployment rates can vary by neighborhood within Coatesville, with some areas experiencing rates as low as under 1% and others as high as over 8% (as reported by The Alliance for Health Equity).

Major Employers

Within Coatesville, Keystone Helicopter Holdings, Inc. is noted as a significant employer, providing engineering and technical support for commercial helicopters (as reported by Zippia). Coatesville Hospital Corporation is another key employer, operating as a subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. (as reported by Zippia). Other large companies in the greater Coatesville area by revenue include R-V Industries, Inc., a metal manufacturer established in 1974 (as reported by Lensa).

In the broader Chester County, major employers include The Vanguard Group, Inc., The Chester County Hospital, and various government and educational institutions (as reported by Chester County Planning Commission). Reyes Holdings, a global leader in production and distribution, also has operations and job openings in Coatesville (as reported by Reyes Holdings).

Climate and Weather

Coatesville, Pennsylvania, experiences a climate characterized by distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold with snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The temperature typically ranges from 24°F to 84°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 11°F or exceeding 92°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The average annual temperature in Coatesville is around 63°F high and 43°F low (as reported by Livability.com). The warmest month is July, with average high temperatures around 84°F and lows of 66°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). January is the coldest month, with average highs of 39°F and lows of 25°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Precipitation and Snowfall

Coatesville receives an average annual precipitation of about 50 inches (as reported by Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). Rainfall is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, with September often being the wettest month, averaging around 3.7 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). February typically sees the least amount of rain, with an average of 1.9 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The average annual snowfall in Coatesville is around 26 inches (as reported by Livability.com). However, another source indicates an average annual snowfall of 30 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather), and historical data from 1894-1982 shows an average of 32.1 inches (as reported by WRCC).

Seasonal Conditions

The warm season in Coatesville lasts approximately from late May to mid-September, with daily high temperatures generally above 75°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The cold season spans from early December to early March, with daily high temperatures typically below 48°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Coatesville experiences about 148 days per year with comfortable weather, which is roughly 4.9 months (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The most comfortable times to visit are generally from May to June and from mid-August to mid-October.

Education in Coatesville

The Coatesville Area School District serves the educational needs of the city and surrounding areas. The district is home to 5,340 students across 9 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The student-teacher ratio is 14 students per classroom, which is in line with the state average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

However, academic performance within the district presents challenges. Proficiency rates in math and reading are below state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger). For instance, only 20% of students are proficient in math, and 35% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche).

School District Performance

The Coatesville Area School District is ranked within the bottom 50% of all school districts in Pennsylvania based on combined math and reading proficiency test data (as reported by SchoolDigger). The district’s overall Niche grade is a B-minus, with a rating of 4.03 out of 5 (as reported by Niche).

The district is recognized for its diversity, ranking third for the most diverse school districts in Pennsylvania (as reported by Niche and SchoolDigger). It also ranks well for its athletic programs, placing 13th in Pennsylvania for best school districts for athletes (as reported by Niche).

Educational Attainment

Across the adult population in Coatesville, educational attainment shows varied levels. While 41% hold a high school diploma or equivalent, 18% have less than a high school diploma (as reported by Niche). A smaller percentage, 14%, have a bachelor’s degree, and 6% hold a master’s degree or higher (as reported by Niche).

The student-teacher ratio is 15 to 1, and the district serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (as reported by Niche). A significant portion of students, close to 100%, receive free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage within the student body (as reported by SchoolDigger).

Demographics of Coatesville

Coatesville, Pennsylvania, has a population of approximately 13,419 residents as of 2026 (as reported by Data USA and Coatesville PA Population 2026). The city is experiencing modest growth, with its population increasing by 0.66% since the 2020 census (as reported by Coatesville PA Population 2026).

The racial composition of Coatesville is diverse. Black or African American residents make up approximately 32.75% of the population, while White residents constitute about 31.6% (as reported by Coatesville PA Population 2026). Other significant demographic groups include those identifying with other races or two or more races (as reported by Coatesville PA Population 2026).

Population Characteristics

The median age in Coatesville is 35.7 years, with slightly older females (36.8 years) compared to males (34.8 years) (as reported by Coatesville PA Population 2026). Approximately 91.9% of Coatesville residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).

The foreign-born population in Coatesville is around 11.3%, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA). In 2024, there were 1.12 times more Black or African American residents than any other single racial group (as reported by Data USA).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

Coatesville’s population includes a significant Hispanic or Latino population, making up approximately 30% of residents (as reported by Niche). White residents account for about 29%, and African Americans represent about 32% (as reported by Niche).

Other racial categories include Asian (1%), and a notable portion of residents identifying with two or more races (8%) (as reported by Niche). The city is recognized for its diversity, ranking seventh among the most diverse places to live in Pennsylvania (as reported by Niche).