Safest cities in Oregon

Known as the 'Beaver State,' Oregon is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon offers a variety of terrains, including the rugged coastline, dense forests, and the Cascade Mountains. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as technology, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Portland, the state's largest city, is a cultural and economic hub known for its thriving arts scene, innovative culinary culture, and progressive values. Oregon is also home to numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, from hiking and skiing to wine tasting in the Willamette Valley and exploring the many state parks and natural reserves.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Oregon particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Oregon's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Oregon's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Philomath Population: 5,143 760 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 51 Property Crime / 100k: 709 chance of being a victim: 1 in 132
Philomath proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Oregon. With only 760 crimes per 100,000 people, Philomath has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Oregon average. This equates to an average of 0.12 crimes per day and a 1 in 132 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.
Molalla Population: 9,224 809 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 178 Property Crime / 100k: 631 chance of being a victim: 1 in 124
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Molalla comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Oregon with a crime rate of 809 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 30 counts of burglary, 592 counts of theft, 10 counts of vehicle theft, 79 counts of assault, 10 counts of robbery, 89 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Molalla, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Canby Population: 17,860 994 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 128 Property Crime / 100k: 866 chance of being a victim: 1 in 101
With a population of 17,860 and a total crime rate of 994 per 100,000 residents, Canby is the 3rd safest city in Oregon. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 82% lower than the Oregon average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.
Talent Population: 6,553 1,090 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 16 Property Crime / 100k: 1,073 chance of being a victim: 1 in 92
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Talent is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 1,090, 94% lower than the Oregon average. This amounts to 0.18 crimes per day and a 1 in 92 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Talent a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Milwaukie Population: 21,086 1,098 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 149 Property Crime / 100k: 949 chance of being a victim: 1 in 91
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Milwaukie consistently ranks high in safety. In Milwaukie, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 1,098, which is 79% lower than the state average.
West Linn Population: 26,764 1,127 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 52 Property Crime / 100k: 1,075 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89
West Linn has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Oregon. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,127 crimes per 100,000 people, 73% lower than the Oregon average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 183 reports of burglary, 820 reports of theft, 71 reports of vehicle theft, 26 reports of assault, 7 reports of robbery, 15 reports of rape and 4 reports of homicide.
Lebanon Population: 17,144 1,177 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 136 Property Crime / 100k: 1,041 chance of being a victim: 1 in 85
Lebanon ranks as the seventh safest city in Oregon and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 85 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.64 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Lebanon’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Oregon.
Baker City Population: 9,786 1,194 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 1,126 chance of being a victim: 1 in 84
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Baker City is the 8th safest city in Oregon. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 90% lower than the Oregon average, reporting a total of 1,194 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.
Sandy Population: 11,319 1,237 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 1,183 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Sandy is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Oregon, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,237 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 87% lower than the state average.
Scappoose Population: 7,436 1,247 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 48 Property Crime / 100k: 1,199 chance of being a victim: 1 in 80
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Oregon, is Scappoose. With a low rate of crime that included 168 burglaries, 768 thefts, 264 vehicle thefts, 24 assaults, 12 robberies, 0 rapes and 12 homicides, the overall crime rate was 92% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Oregon

Rank Location Population Violent Crimes /100k Property Crimes /100k Total Crimes /100k 
1 Philomath 5,143 51 709 760
2 Molalla 9,224 178 631 809
3 Canby 17,860 128 866 994
4 Talent 6,553 16 1,073 1,090
5 Milwaukie 21,086 149 949 1,098
6 West Linn 26,764 52 1,075 1,127
7 Lebanon 17,144 136 1,041 1,177
8 Baker City 9,786 68 1,126 1,194
9 Sandy 11,319 53 1,183 1,237
10 Scappoose 7,436 48 1,199 1,247
11 Independence 10,178 173 1,078 1,251
12 St. Helens 13,779 294 1,027 1,322
13 Lake Oswego 39,476 55 1,338 1,394
14 Monmouth 10,411 150 1,296 1,446
15 Central Point 18,648 171 1,311 1,482
16 Brookings 6,475 281 1,257 1,538
17 Cornelius 12,767 222 1,337 1,559
18 Prineville 10,429 525 1,134 1,658
19 Umatilla 7,215 219 1,521 1,741
20 Bend 97,032 184 1,589 1,773
21 Oregon City 37,057 232 1,593 1,824
22 Stayton 8,199 196 1,641 1,836
23 Ashland 21,138 151 1,686 1,837
24 Gladstone 12,316 193 1,646 1,839
25 Forest Grove 24,847 425 1,426 1,851
26 Eagle Point 9,316 111 1,779 1,889
27 Cottage Grove 10,302 353 1,625 1,978
28 Winston 5,444 105 1,984 2,090
29 Sherwood 19,745 96 2,031 2,127
30 Milton-Freewater 7,044 311 1,826 2,137
31 McMinnville 34,466 226 1,953 2,179
32 Redmond 31,359 206 2,050 2,256
33 Albany 54,442 193 2,074 2,267
34 Florence 9,037 139 2,138 2,277
35 Keizer 39,408 247 2,089 2,336
36 Dallas 16,612 242 2,095 2,337
37 Sutherlin 8,060 288 2,072 2,360
38 Beaverton 98,567 272 2,096 2,368
39 La Grande 13,380 418 2,105 2,523
40 Hillsboro 108,026 292 2,503 2,795
41 Woodburn 26,008 329 2,616 2,945
42 Newport 10,767 248 2,799 3,047
43 Springfield 62,729 317 2,744 3,061
44 Corvallis 58,612 189 2,896 3,084
45 Astoria 9,929 462 2,634 3,096
46 Tillamook 5,308 210 2,996 3,206
47 Klamath Falls 21,509 581 2,634 3,215
48 Tualatin 27,601 205 3,013 3,218
49 Gresham 110,456 385 2,997 3,381
50 Eugene 170,457 348 3,197 3,545

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Oregon is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Oregon cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.