Is Latrobe Safe, Pros and cons of living in Latrobe

Latrobe, Pennsylvania, nestled in Westmoreland County, offers a blend of small-town charm and accessibility to larger metropolitan areas. This borough, located near Chestnut Ridge, is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, providing residents with a balance between a close-knit community feel and access to urban amenities. Latrobe is historically known as the birthplace of Fred Rogers and Arnold Palmer, and the invention of the banana split.

The community is served by the Greater Latrobe School District, which is recognized for its quality education. Latrobe’s climate features distinct seasons, with temperatures varying throughout the year and a notable amount of snowfall in the winter months. The cost of living in Latrobe is generally considered to be lower than the national average, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordability.

Is it Safe to Live in Latrobe?

Latrobe’s overall crime rate is reported to be 9 per 1,000 residents, which is considered near the average for cities of all sizes in America (according to NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Latrobe is approximately 1 in 105 (according to NeighborhoodScout). The crime rate in Latrobe is lower than approximately 32% of Pennsylvania communities (according to NeighborhoodScout).

Violent crime in Latrobe occurs at a rate of 2 per 1,000 inhabitants, which is higher than in most communities of all population sizes in America (according to NeighborhoodScout). However, the rate of property crime, including burglary and larceny, is about 8 per 1,000 residents, which is average for all cities and towns across the nation (according to NeighborhoodScout). Residents often consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest area, with a lower chance of being a victim of crime compared to other neighborhoods (according to The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Latrobe, PA: Crime Maps and Statistics).

The violent crime rate in Latrobe is 2.088 per 1,000 residents (according to Latrobe, PA Violent Crime Rates and Maps). The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Latrobe varies by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 367 in the west to 1 in 544 in the east (according to Latrobe, PA Violent Crime Rates and Maps). Latrobe’s total crime rate is 56.9% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents (according to Latrobe, PA Crime Rates: Stats & Map). This means Latrobe experiences an average of 0.2 daily crimes, with a low number of violent incidents and property-related offenses (according to Latrobe, PA Crime Rates: Stats & Map).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The median home value in Latrobe is approximately $133,300, which is significantly lower than the national average (according to Niche). This affordability is a key attraction for potential residents, especially first-time homebuyers or those looking to maximize their budget. The median rent in Latrobe is around $730 per month, also well below the national average (according to Niche).

Latrobe’s median listing price for homes is $230,000, indicating an accessible entry point for buyers (according to Latrobe, PA Housing Market & Rental trends). Year-over-year, sale prices have risen by 10.10%, suggesting healthy demand from sellers and potential value appreciation (according to Latrobe, PA Housing Market & Rental trends). The median rent is $1,000 per month, and year-over-year rents have seen a slight decrease of 6.98% (according to Latrobe, PA Housing Market & Rental trends).

The typical home price in Latrobe is around $206,247, which is close to the Pennsylvania average (according to Latrobe, PA – Housing Forecast). With a median household income of $56,045, the typical home is within reach for most households in Latrobe (according to Latrobe, PA – Housing Forecast). The average home value in Latrobe is $201,608, showing a slight increase of 1.7% over the past year (according to Latrobe, PA Housing Market: 2026 Home Prices & Trends).

Job Market and Economic Landscape

The unemployment rate in Latrobe is reported at 5.4%, which represents the share of the workforce actively seeking employment (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). From a broader perspective, the unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was 4.2% in March 2026 (according to USAFacts).

Major employment sectors for Latrobe residents include Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Accommodation & Food Services (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The most common job groups within the borough are Office & Administrative Support Occupations, Production Occupations, and Management Occupations (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More).

The median wage in Latrobe is $37,200 per year, with the 25th percentile earning $29,400 and the 75th percentile earning $53,300 (according to Latrobe, PA Average Salary). For comparison, the median household income in Latrobe is approximately $56,318 (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Latrobe experiences a climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters (according to Latrobe, Pennsylvania Climate Data). Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 18°F to 82°F, with annual precipitation averaging 48 inches and snowfall around 50 inches (according to Latrobe, Pennsylvania Climate Data).

The warm season, from late May to mid-September, sees average daily high temperatures above 75°F, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 83°F and a low of 63°F (according to Latrobe, Pennsylvania Climate Data). The cold season, from early December to early March, brings average daily high temperatures below 47°F, with January being the coldest month, having an average low of 23°F and a high of 38°F (according to Latrobe, Pennsylvania Climate Data).

Annual precipitation in Latrobe averages 46.54 inches, with the wettest month being June, receiving about 4.9 inches of rain (according to Latrobe, Pennsylvania Climate Data). The drier season spans from August to March, with January having the fewest wet days, averaging around 7.0 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation (according to Latrobe, Pennsylvania Climate Data).

Education and School Ratings

The Greater Latrobe School District is highly rated, serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 (according to Greater Latrobe School District – Pennsylvania). State test scores indicate that 55% of students are proficient in math and 66% are proficient in reading (according to Greater Latrobe School District – Pennsylvania).

Greater Latrobe Junior High School is recognized as a standout middle school, ranking among the top in Pennsylvania for its performance (according to Best Schools in Greater Latrobe School District & Rankings). Mountain View Elementary School is another top performer, excelling in English Language Arts proficiency (according to Best Schools in Greater Latrobe School District & Rankings). Overall, the district ranks within the top 20% of public school districts in Pennsylvania, particularly noted for high reading and science proficiency and graduation rates (according to Greater Latrobe School District – Pennsylvania).

Latrobe Elementary School, a public school serving grades K-6, has an A- Niche grade and a 5/10 GreatSchools Rating (according to Latrobe Elementary School). State test scores show that 54% of students are proficient in math and 63% are proficient in reading at Latrobe Elementary (according to Latrobe Elementary School in Latrobe, PA – Niche).

Demographics and Community Profile

Latrobe has a population of approximately 7,977 residents, with a median age of 41 years (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The racial makeup is predominantly White, with 91% of locals identifying as Caucasian, and smaller percentages for African American and Asian residents (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). As of 2024, 1.08% of Latrobe residents were born outside the country (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More).

The median household income in Latrobe is $56,318, with a poverty rate of 16.6% (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). The population is distributed across various age groups, with a notable percentage of residents aged 25 to 64, and a significant portion of those 65 or older (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). Latrobe offers a dense suburban feel, with most residents owning their homes (according to Latrobe, PA – Niche).

The gender distribution shows that 47.1% of Latrobe locals are male, and 52.9% are female (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More). Households in Latrobe have an average of two members, with about 48.3% being families and the remaining 51.7% consisting of individuals living alone or with non-relatives (according to Latrobe, PA Demographics: Population, Income, and More).