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.

Duvall Population: 7,979 615 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 57 Property Crime / 100k: 558 chance of being a victim: 1 in 163

Duvall proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Washington. With only 615 crimes per 100,000 people, Duvall has a crime rate that is 91% lower than the Washington average. This equates to an average of 0.15 crimes per day and a 1 in 163 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.

Oak Harbor Population: 23,358 945 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 60 Property Crime / 100k: 885 chance of being a victim: 1 in 106

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Oak Harbor comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Washington with a crime rate of 945 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 133 counts of burglary, 607 counts of theft, 145 counts of vehicle theft, 36 counts of assault, 8 counts of robbery, 16 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Oak Harbor, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Sammamish Population: 65,265 977 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 917 chance of being a victim: 1 in 102

With a population of 65,265 and a total crime rate of 977 per 100,000 residents, Sammamish is the 3rd safest city in Washington. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 34% 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.

Pullman Population: 33,974 1,032 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 91 Property Crime / 100k: 941 chance of being a victim: 1 in 97

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Pullman 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 1,032, 67% lower than the Washington average. This amounts to 0.93 crimes per day and a 1 in 97 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 Pullman a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Connell Population: 5,518 1,052 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 121 Property Crime / 100k: 930 chance of being a victim: 1 in 95

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 1,052, which is 95% lower than the state average.

Brier Population: 6,899 1,132 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 155 Property Crime / 100k: 977 chance of being a victim: 1 in 88

Brier 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 1,132 crimes per 100,000 people, 94% lower than the Washington average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 233 reports of burglary, 465 reports of theft, 279 reports of vehicle theft, 155 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Camas Population: 24,043 1,161 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 1,132 chance of being a victim: 1 in 86

Camas ranks as the seventh safest city in Washington and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 86 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.88 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. Camas’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Washington.

Lake Stevens Population: 33,470 1,162 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 168 Property Crime / 100k: 994 chance of being a victim: 1 in 86

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Lake Stevens is the 8th safest city in Washington. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 63% lower than the Washington average, reporting a total of 1,162 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.

West Richland Population: 14,842 1,225 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 91 Property Crime / 100k: 1,133 chance of being a victim: 1 in 82

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. West Richland 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 1,225 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 82% lower than the state average.

Ridgefield Population: 8,751 1,244 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 104 Property Crime / 100k: 1,141 chance of being a victim: 1 in 80

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Washington, is Ridgefield. With a low rate of crime that included 200 burglaries, 781 thefts, 159 vehicle thefts, 55 assaults, 7 robberies, 41 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 86% 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	Duvall	7,979	57	558	615
2	Oak Harbor	23,358	60	885	945
3	Sammamish	65,265	59	917	977
4	Pullman	33,974	91	941	1,032
5	Connell	5,518	121	930	1,052
6	Brier	6,899	155	977	1,132
7	Camas	24,043	29	1,132	1,161
8	Lake Stevens	33,470	168	994	1,162
9	West Richland	14,842	91	1,133	1,225
10	Ridgefield	8,751	104	1,141	1,244
11	Kenmore	22,969	61	1,281	1,342
12	Orting	8,267	169	1,217	1,386
13	Stanwood	7,228	77	1,347	1,424
14	Steilacoom	6,366	75	1,360	1,435
15	Sultan	5,330	229	1,245	1,475
16	Bainbridge Island	24,859	95	1,397	1,492
17	Port Townsend	9,710	182	1,387	1,569
18	Battle Ground	20,931	154	1,557	1,711
19	Mercer Island	25,820	100	1,692	1,791
20	Maple Valley	26,739	110	1,764	1,874
21	Marysville	69,629	254	1,737	1,990
22	Cheney	12,455	199	1,841	2,039
23	Normandy Park	6,643	92	1,948	2,040
24	Washougal	15,927	278	1,799	2,077
25	Lake Forest Park	13,455	99	2,008	2,108
26	Liberty Lake	10,381	202	1,907	2,109
27	Enumclaw	12,062	55	2,057	2,112
28	Bothell	46,386	78	2,078	2,156
29	Lynden	14,700	111	2,089	2,200
30	East Wenatchee	14,012	140	2,064	2,205
31	DuPont	9,514	90	2,135	2,225
32	Blaine	5,427	248	2,017	2,264
33	College Place	9,311	71	2,231	2,301
34	Selah	7,957	121	2,204	2,325
35	Fircrest	6,844	170	2,171	2,341
36	Prosser	6,288	114	2,249	2,363
37	Snoqualmie	13,550	7	2,411	2,418
38	Hoquiam	8,570	123	2,299	2,422
39	Newcastle	12,078	86	2,347	2,433
40	Kirkland	91,146	116	2,363	2,479
41	Mukilteo	21,414	119	2,428	2,547
42	Quincy	7,815	166	2,496	2,663
43	Mill Creek	20,750	172	2,519	2,691
44	Edmonds	42,347	243	2,620	2,863
45	Snohomish	10,141	207	2,716	2,923
46	Ellensburg	20,679	252	2,689	2,941
47	Monroe	19,403	266	2,703	2,969
48	Ferndale	14,591	177	2,795	2,972
49	Mountlake Terrace	21,328	157	2,839	2,997
50	Wenatchee	34,249	240	2,769	3,009

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.