B-
2%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
36%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
10%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleKelso/100k peopleWashington/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime273n/a (estimate)2,1632,7932,119
Murder1n/a7.93.85.0
Rape6n/a47.537.837.5
Robbery11n/a87.267.560.6
Assault11n/a87.2217.0256.1
Violent crime29n/a (estimate)230326359
Burglary36n/a285.3398.8229.2
Theft187n/a1,481.81,634.21,272.1
Vehicle theft21n/a166.4433.5258.8
Property crime244n/a (estimate)1,9332,4671,760

Kelso crime map

Get this widget

The Kelso crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Kelso as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Kelso crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Kelso crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
Get Crime Data Within A 1-Mile Radius! Local Insights Report
  • View detailed crime data near your address
  • Use local crime insights to avoid risky areas
  • Get hyperlocal crime stats, not city averages
* Crime data not available for every address.
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Crime Rates in Kelso, WA

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Kelso is 2.1% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 29 violent crimes reported in Kelso, equivalent to 230 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 36%. Additionally, Kelso recorded 244 property crimes, amounting to 1933 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 9.9%.

When assessing the total crime rate in Kelso per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within Kelso, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.

Kelso maintains a property crime rate that closely resembles the national norm. In Kelso, 1933 property crimes were reported, aligning with the national average of 1760 per 100,000 individuals. Consequently, the area's safety profile stands on par with the average city, neither significantly safer nor more dangerous. This consistency underscores a balanced commitment to community safety and security, providing residents with a stable and reassuring living environment.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Kelso?

What do the local residents think about crime in Kelso? Well, based on a recent survey of 13 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 54% of Kelso residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 46% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Kelso a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Kelso is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Kelso has an overall crime rate that is 2% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.75 daily occurrences, comprising 0.08 violent crimes and 0.67 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Kelso as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Kelso Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Kelso. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Kelso has decreased by 44.5%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 31%, while property crime has decreased by 45.8%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Kelso.

Potential Causes for Crime in Kelso

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Kelso crime rates. Kelso registers a population density of 1552 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

In Kelso, the cost of living is 5.33% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Kelso, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.16 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

Compare Kelso, WA Crime

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Kelso crime rates are 2% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Kelso are 36% lower than the national average
      • In Kelso you have a 1 in 47 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Kelso is safer than 35% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Kelso has decreased by 42%

      Kelso, WA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Kelso

        See all the best places to live around Kelso
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Kelso?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Kelso?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Kelso poll results

        Daily Crime In Kelso (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Kelso, WA per 100,000 people. In Kelso, the total number of daily crimes is 1.29 times less than the Washington average and 1.02 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Kelso is 1.42 times less than the Washington average and 1.56 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Kelso has a daily crime rate that is 1.28 times less than the Washington average and 1.10 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Kelso (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Kelso to every other city in Washington, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Kelso safe? The gauges above illustrate that Kelso is safer than 41% of every city located within Washington along with 35% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Washington and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Kelso, WA is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Kelso

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Kelso is 1 in 436
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Kelso is 1 in 52
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Kelso is 1 in 47
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Kelso? If you reside in Kelso, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 436. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 52 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Kelso, is 1 in 47.

        Year Over Year Crime In Kelso (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Kelso is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Kelso has decreased by 17% and the rate of property crime in Kelso has decreased by 44%. The total crime rate in Kelso has decreased by 42% year to year.

        Kelso police department

        Item Kelso Washington National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)268,169558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.22.23.3
        There are a total of 26 Kelso police officers. This results in 2.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 0.5% less than the Washington average and 33.6% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Washington

        State Total offenders Washington /100K National /100K
        Washington6,688107266
        There are a total of 6,688 sex offenders in Washington. This yields a total of 107 sex offenders in Washington per 100,000 residents which is 60% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Castle Rock, WA3,018411,0281,069
        Kalama, WA2,806981,2771,376
        Longview Heights, WA4,4812111,5931,804
        Rainier, OR2,1521042,1742,277
        Prescott, OR883202,3082,628
        Woodland, WA6,4391242,7022,825
        West Side Highway, WA5,8603492,6392,988
        Kelso, WA12,5122301,9332,163

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Festus, MO12,5141831,0301,212
        Escanaba, MI12,5093571,9972,354
        Holiday City-Berkeley, NJ12,5082781,8192,097
        Overlea, MD12,5054912,3962,886
        Oak Grove, SC12,5044151,8672,282
        Kelso, WA12,5122301,9332,163
        Source: The Kelso, WA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.