Whether visiting or relocating to Washington State, safety is your main priority.
Finding a secure and comfortable place is a concern that must be met, which can be challenging as crime occurs everywhere.
However, statistically, Washington is a safe place to call home, and one of the best places to live in the U.S.
Violent crime is a much more major concern than property crime.
Statistics show that it is most likely to occur in urban areas.
Property crime will also be more prevalent in urban areas due to higher concentrations of people, but it can happen anywhere.
If you’re interested in visiting Washington, then it’s essential to understand where not to go.
So keep reading to learn more!
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10 Most Dangerous Cities in Washington
Ten: Lakewood
Kicking off the list of the most dangerous cities in Washington is Lakewood.
Home to stunning views, Lakewood is constantly overshadowed by danger.
Property crime is a significant issue in this city, with 1 in 2 residents experiencing this issue.
Burglary and theft are the two most common property crimes, but motor vehicle theft is rising.
Violent crimes like robbery and assault are also so common that residents have a 1 in 131 chance of being victims.
Specific neighborhoods in Lakewood are safe, but it’s always important to be vigilant.
Nine: Port Angeles
Port Angeles is best known for its Labor Day festivals and the Olympic National Park.
Unfortunately, residents know this city best for the widespread crime.
Port Angeles is plagued by 78 crimes per square mile, most of which are theft, motor vehicle theft, and burglary.
Violent crimes have also become a staple in this city, with 1 in 173 residents being victims.
The most common violent crime is assault; thankfully, no murders have recently occurred.
Fairmont Avenue is the most dangerous street in town, which should be avoided at night.
Eight: Aberdeen
Aberdeen is best known for the location where grunge music was born.
However, locals know the city for its high poverty and crime rate.
Most crimes are drug-fueled, resulting in increased property crimes across the city.
1 in 15 residents will be victims of a burglary, vehicle theft, or other theft.
Of the 754 reported crimes, 681 were property, with 519 thefts.
The probability of experiencing a violent crime in Aberdeen is low, but it could occur.
Aberdeen residents have a 1 in 230 chance of being victims of a violent crime.
Seven: Shelton
This small city has incredibly high property and violent crime statistics.
Consuming only six square miles, Shelton residents experience 113 crimes per square mile.
Two of the worst areas of the city are Lake Boulevard and Pioneer Way.
In addition, residents face a 1 in 18 chance of burglary or theft; out of 655 recently reported crimes, 600 were property crimes.
Violence also occurs in Shelton, with residents having a 1 in 194 chance of being a victim.
Thankfully no murders have emerged in recent history, but after five robberies, 20 rapes, and 30 assaults, the proper physical danger exists.
Six: Seattle
As the largest city in Washington and a cultural center of America, Seattle experiences 394 crimes per square mile, most property-related.
However, Seattle recently experienced 4,491 violent crimes ranging from assault and murder to rape and robbery.
Seattle residents have a 1 in 168 chance of being the victim of a violent crime, possibly during the 8,000 burglaries the city experienced last year.
Property crime impacts 1 in 22 Seattle residents at any time.
Five: Toppenish
Toppenish is a tiny Washington city with a significant crime rate.
Residents face a 1 in 14 chance of experiencing a property or violent crime in Toppenish, resulting in 299 crimes per square mile.
The small population makes this level of crime disturbing for visitors and residents alike.
Luckily, most crimes are committed in the concentrated area of South Elm Street, but the small city size creates spillover into other areas like Alfalfa and the city’s center.
As a result, a violent crime can impact 1 in 157 residents in Toppenish.
Four: Tacoma
Tacoma boasts hip spots, restaurants, bustling bars, and stunning glass art wherever you look.
Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most dangerous cities in the state.
Tacoma is spread over 62 square miles and experiences 269 crimes per square mile.
Assault is the most common violent crime in the city, with 1,258 out of 1,864 incidences.
This means residents have a 1 in 117 probability of being assault, rape, murder, or robbery victim in Tacoma.
The city also experienced 11,577 property crimes, which, considering its size, is a staggering number.
Three: Spokane
Known as one of the commercial hubs in Washington, Spokane is recognized for its crime, bringing the city to number three on this list.
Violent and property crimes are common in the city, with 243 crimes per square mile.
Property crime is the most common, with residents having a 1 in 17 chance of being victims.
Staying at home is only sometimes the safest option, with 1,743 burglaries recorded yearly.
Residents have a 1 in 146 chance of being the victim of a violent crime.
Two: Tukwila
Tukwila is always near the top of the most dangerous Washington locations yearly.
Residents face a 1 in 6 chance of becoming a property crime victim and a 1 in 137 chance of being a violent crime victim, so it makes sense that the city rounds out this list.
With a population of only 20,000, these numbers are relatively high, and add in the city has the third-highest incidence of rape in the entire state, and it’s a place you do not want to frequent.
One: Fife
Fife and Tukwila constantly battle it out for the most dangerous city in Washington.
Fife edged out Tukwila with 129 crimes per square mile in this small city this year.
Residents have a 1 in 15 chance of experiencing vehicle theft, burglary, or other theft in Fife.
Property crime is the main driver for this high number, with 40 thefts per 1,000 residents and 671 total incidences.
Visitors or residents are more than twice as likely to fall victim to a property crime in Fife than in the rest of the state.
Also, residents have a 1 in 131 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in Fife, including assault, rape, robbery, or murder.
Given the small size of Fife, crime is evenly spread throughout the city, so it’s essential to be cautious everywhere.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Washington
One: Don’t Draw Attention
Never draw attention to yourself in busy public places by flashing money, expensive electronics, jewelry, or other valuables.
Also, you want to blend as best as possible, which means wearing inconspicuous clothing not to draw attention from nefarious characters and scam artists.
Two: Keep Friends and Family Updated
Regardless if you plan to explore Seattle or venture into the wilderness for a few days, always keep your friends and family updated on your whereabouts by checking in daily.
Also, providing them with your daily itinerary, hotel accommodations, and flight numbers is crucial.
Three: Be Aware of Public Wi-Fi
Be wary of public Wi-Fi in one of Washington’s many towns and cities.
In such a technology-driven place, it’s common for hackers to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting residents or visitors.
So while public Wi-Fi is acceptable for general browsing, don’t access any apps or websites requiring your password.
Four: Check-in with Park Rangers
Washington is a vast wilderness of pine trees, lakes, mountains, and rivers outside of towns and cities.
If you plan to visit the state for camping or multi-day hiking trips, it’s critical to check in with the local rangers station so they know your plan in case of an incident.
Visitors and residents always go missing and become victims of the wilderness.
Five: Pack Accordingly
If you plan to hike to the top of one of the many mountains, bringing a guide is always advisable.
However, get the correct clothing and gear if you make the trip alone.
The weather at the top of mountains can change instantly, so you must be prepared for variable conditions.
Also, bringing plenty of sunscreens, water, and a first-aid kit is critical since the wilderness is unpredictable.
Washington Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Washington Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington safer than Oregon?
Oregon is safer than Washington, but not by much.
Oregon has the second-highest property crime rate in the Pacific Northwest, just below Washington.
The violent crime rate is also higher in Washington State than in Oregon.
What are the natural disasters that occur in Washington?
Given its location on the Pacific Rim, Washington experiences earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires, storms, and extensive flooding, especially near the coastline.
While Washington cities present plenty of danger, natural disasters are also essential to consider when relocating or visiting a new destination.
What is the safest place in Washington?
The safest location in Washington is Sammamish.
As a suburb of Seattle with a population of 67,000, Sammamish has a violent crime rate of 0.3 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 citizens.
In addition, the median annual household income of Sammamish is $174,000.
Community safety is a shared responsibility, and it’s encouraging to see local initiatives and organizations working together to create safer environments for their residents.
While this post highlights challenges, it also emphasizes the importance of investing in the well-being of communities and coming together to ensure the safety of all residents.
Safety can vary from one neighborhood to another, even within the same city, so it’s vital to consider the specific locations and take appropriate precautions when necessary.