Safest cities in Washington

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

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Washington 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 Washington'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 Washington's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Brier Population: 6,899 499 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 452 chance of being a victim: 1 in 201
Brier proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Washington. With only 499 crimes per 100,000 people, Brier has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Washington average. This equates to an average of 0.09 crimes per day and a 1 in 201 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.
Sultan Population: 5,330 647 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 132 Property Crime / 100k: 515 chance of being a victim: 1 in 155
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Sultan comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Washington with a crime rate of 647 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 191 counts of burglary, 279 counts of theft, 44 counts of vehicle theft, 132 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Sultan, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Sammamish Population: 65,265 673 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 25 Property Crime / 100k: 649 chance of being a victim: 1 in 149
With a population of 65,265 and a total crime rate of 673 per 100,000 residents, Sammamish is the 3rd safest city in Washington. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 35% lower than the Washington 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.
Ocean Shores Population: 6,196 745 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 39 Property Crime / 100k: 706 chance of being a victim: 1 in 134
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Ocean Shores 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 745, 92% lower than the Washington average. This amounts to 0.16 crimes per day and a 1 in 134 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 Ocean Shores a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Connell Population: 5,518 848 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 134 Property Crime / 100k: 714 chance of being a victim: 1 in 118
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Connell consistently ranks high in safety. In Connell, 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 848, which is 96% lower than the state average.
West Richland Population: 14,842 863 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 108 Property Crime / 100k: 755 chance of being a victim: 1 in 116
West Richland has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Washington. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 863 crimes per 100,000 people, 81% lower than the Washington average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 140 reports of burglary, 523 reports of theft, 92 reports of vehicle theft, 92 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 16 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Lake Stevens Population: 33,470 882 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 109 Property Crime / 100k: 773 chance of being a victim: 1 in 113
Lake Stevens ranks as the seventh safest city in Washington and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 113 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.97 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. Lake Stevens’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Washington.
Orting Population: 8,267 932 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 146 Property Crime / 100k: 786 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Orting is the 8th safest city in Washington. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 91% lower than the Washington average, reporting a total of 932 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.
Bainbridge Island Population: 24,859 987 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 53 Property Crime / 100k: 933 chance of being a victim: 1 in 101
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Bainbridge Island is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Washington, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 987 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 76% lower than the state average.
Oak Harbor Population: 23,358 1,045 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 980 chance of being a victim: 1 in 96
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Washington, is Oak Harbor. With a low rate of crime that included 148 burglaries, 663 thefts, 169 vehicle thefts, 54 assaults, 0 robberies, 12 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 76% 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 Washington

Rank Location Population Violent Crimes /100k Property Crimes /100k Total Crimes /100k 
1 Brier 6,899 47 452 499
2 Sultan 5,330 132 515 647
3 Sammamish 65,265 25 649 673
4 Ocean Shores 6,196 39 706 745
5 Connell 5,518 134 714 848
6 West Richland 14,842 108 755 863
7 Lake Stevens 33,470 109 773 882
8 Orting 8,267 146 786 932
9 Bainbridge Island 24,859 53 933 987
10 Oak Harbor 23,358 66 980 1,045
11 Camas 24,043 25 1,031 1,056
12 Ridgefield 8,751 116 1,022 1,138
13 Pullman 33,974 187 994 1,181
14 Kenmore 22,969 77 1,117 1,194
15 Mercer Island 25,820 68 1,161 1,229
16 Snoqualmie 13,550 15 1,314 1,329
17 Stanwood 7,228 150 1,207 1,357
18 Battle Ground 20,931 109 1,321 1,430
19 Steilacoom 6,366 181 1,300 1,481
20 Selah 7,957 138 1,352 1,490
21 Maple Valley 26,739 106 1,425 1,531
22 Washougal 15,927 213 1,322 1,535
23 Prosser 6,288 190 1,395 1,585
24 Lynden 14,700 183 1,418 1,601
25 Port Townsend 9,710 181 1,429 1,610
26 Normandy Park 6,643 92 1,562 1,653
27 College Place 9,311 51 1,683 1,734
28 Bothell 46,386 105 1,725 1,830
29 East Wenatchee 14,012 79 1,764 1,842
30 Ferndale 14,591 222 1,671 1,893
31 Mukilteo 21,414 115 1,795 1,910
32 Liberty Lake 10,381 194 1,719 1,912
33 DuPont 9,514 82 1,832 1,913
34 Blaine 5,427 263 1,661 1,924
35 Hoquiam 8,570 136 1,862 1,999
36 Poulsbo 10,869 232 1,823 2,055
37 Enumclaw 12,062 86 2,067 2,153
38 Kirkland 91,146 111 2,062 2,173
39 Marysville 69,629 229 1,944 2,173
40 Bonney Lake 21,247 161 2,020 2,182
41 Lake Forest Park 13,455 131 2,103 2,234
42 Mill Creek 20,750 207 2,035 2,241
43 Snohomish 10,141 168 2,081 2,249
44 Mount Vernon 35,502 202 2,059 2,261
45 Cheney 12,455 329 1,957 2,286
46 Sequim 7,441 367 1,930 2,297
47 Fircrest 6,844 333 2,010 2,342
48 Anacortes 17,231 94 2,284 2,378
49 Pasco 74,266 300 2,175 2,476
50 Edmonds 42,347 174 2,449 2,623

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Washington 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 Washington 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.