Is Kennewick Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Kennewick, located in southeastern Washington, is a vibrant city that plays a significant role in the Tri-Cities region, which also includes Pasco and Richland.

As one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, Kennewick boasts a rich history, a diverse community, and numerous attractions.

The first pioneers arrived in the 1800s when Lewis and Clark confronted the Indigenous population.

By the 1900s, the city was primarily an agricultural hub.

With the development of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project and the establishment of the Hanford Site during World War II, the Tri-Cities experienced significant growth and transformation.

It’s hard to imagine when you look at the desert-like landscape that plutonium for nuclear weapons, including the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, was produced here.

It played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project and contributed significantly to the United States’ nuclear arsenal during the Cold War.

As the Cold War ended and the Hanford Project was decommissioned, the economy turned to wineries instead of weapons.

As part of Eastern Washington, this section of the state hardly gets any precipitation.

The mountains to the west suck any energy out of the environment.

At the same time, the city offers beautiful views along the powerful Columbia River, just south of where the Yakima River connects.

This water supply benefits from the snowmelt and lends itself to the robust agricultural community.

Warnings & Dangers in Kennewick

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Kennewick has a medium risk, not only due to high crime rates but also the sudden surge of the most violent crimes since the pandemic. There's a good chance you wouldn't even notice this crime, but you need to know the risks that are there.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Kennewick is served by Ben Franklin Transit, offering comprehensive public transportation across the Tri-Cities. The system includes bus routes, Dial-A-Ride services for those with disabilities, and vanpools. (Vanpools are a very popular way to get around in Washington.) Taxis, rideshares and rental cars are other options.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Just six pickpockets were reported over the last five years, which is a low risk. I would recommend treating this risk as higher than it appears statistically due to the incredibly high overall theft rate.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Kennewick faces a medium risk of natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and wildfires. The region's proximity to fault lines makes it susceptible to seismic activity. Wildfires pose a risk, especially during dry, windy conditions in summer. You can also see how the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 impacted Kennewick with some simple research.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Robberies were 8% lower than the national average in 2022. Just 15% are highway robberies, which is the category that muggings would be included in. The risk is low, but it's one of the few low risks in this community.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

At one point, the Hanford Site would've dramatically increased the risk due to its history as a plutonium production complex. The risk is low today, but radioactive waste is still stored underground.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The police department and local sheriff’s office will post the latest scams on social media. Check the fraud section of each department’s website for more information and to learn about common tactics. The most common scams will impact residents, with the most reported being spoofed phone call scams.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

This is not a city you want to walk around alone at night, and you should stick to groups of three or more if possible. Stick to the entertainment districts and attractions. Always set your GPS for your next destination. The risk is medium, as it would be for anyone else.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 CCR for Kennewick shows no violations. If you're worried about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in the water here, there's good reason - the city has been dealing with above-state action levels for a few years. Those who are breastfeeding or using tap water for baby formula should use bottled water.

Safest Places to Visit in Kennewick

Use the visittri-cities.com website to find the official tourism website and a guide for Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick.

Kennewick is the largest and is known for its vibrant downtown, wineries, and the Columbia Center Mall.

Pasco, diverse and agriculturally rich, features the expansive Columbia Basin and lively farmers’ markets.

Richland is a hub for science and technology, with the Hanford Site and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

A bonus of visiting Kennewick is the historic downtown, which has the website historickennewick.org.

The South Columbia Creative District is the artsy part of downtown.

East Benton County Historical Museum provides insight into the local history with its extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits.

The museum covers everything from the area’s pioneer days to its development over the decades.

The Port of Kennewick is home to Columbia Gardens Urban Wine & Artisan Village.

It covers six acres on the river with wine-tasting rooms and a food truck plaza.

Columbia Park is a favorite outdoor spot covering 400 acres.

Stretching along the Columbia River, the park features walking and biking trails,

playgrounds, and a disc golf course.

Throughout the year, the park hosts various events, including boat races and outdoor concerts.

Clover Island is a charming waterfront destination along the Columbia River.

It features a marina, walking trails, public art, and the iconic Clover Island Lighthouse.

Three restaurants and a hotel are also found on this island.

The Gesa Carousel of Dreams is a restored 108-year-old carousel that provides fun for all ages.

Located in the Southridge Sports and Events Complex, this beautifully crafted carousel features hand-carved wooden horses and chariots.

Places to Avoid in Kennewick

For all the fun things to do in Kennewick, there’s a shady side filled with drugs, gangs, and gun crimes.

Homelessness and panhandling are also problems.

This has led to a pilot program that was parlayed into a multi-jurisdiction plan by designating “No Sit Lie” areas.

This means people cannot sit in front of businesses, lie on the ground or benches, or generally loiter between certain hours.

The ordinance also gives law enforcement the ability to charge people who don’t follow the No Sit Lie laws.

I bring this up because the No Sit Lie areas are re-designated as one area gets cleaned up of ongoing drug, gang, and street crime activity.

“We think it’s helping. I think it was at its worst in the summer of 2022, and we were seeing a lot of open drug use in parking lots, street corners and on benches,” Stephanie Button, director of the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership, said.

“We have also observed a decrease in the number of sharps (such as needles) and paraphernalia.

We think it has created a greater sense of safety now that there’s something that can be done about it.”

The areas where the No Sit Lie laws are in effect would be the places to avoid, especially after dark.

In previous years, a one-mile stretch of road was largely responsible for the most brutal crimes in the area.

However, as the program keeps working, different areas will be targeted.

The most dangerous parts of town, as I write this, might be safer by the time you get there.

Similarly, places that are somewhat safe today could be the most dangerous when you get there.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Kennewick

So... How Safe Is Kennewick Really?

Kennewick’s violent crime rate is 45% higher than the national and state averages as of 2023.

About 28% of violent crimes happen against strangers, and 43% occur in private homes, which lowers the risk for visitors.

The theft rate is 132% higher than the national average.

In fact, property crime as a whole was nearly 150% above the national average in 2022.

One of your biggest concerns should involve your vehicle if you’re bringing your own or renting one.

Nearly 60 vehicle break-ins happen each week on average.

Car theft statistics average out to 14 a week, with 736 reported in 2022.

That number jumped almost 170% between 2021 and 2022.

I would strongly recommend having a car alarm, using theft deterrents (like steering wheel locks), parking in well-lit areas, locking doors when you park, and removing all personal items and paperwork from the inside.

Kennewick and the surrounding tri-cities deal with gang problems and drug activity, which fuels a lot of the crime rate.

You can enjoy a great time here without even noticing the underbelly, but you need to be aware of it to take the proper precautions.

How Does Kennewick Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

On this side of the Cascades, Kennewick and the Tri-Cities sit in a rain shadow. That means drier air, warmer summer temperatures and cold, dry winters. Highs can get into the 90s in summer, with lows dropping below freezing in winter. The low humidity can make spring and fall pleasant but also drives the heat index high in summer and the wind chill down in winter.

Airports

The Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) is across the river in Pasco, just five miles from Kennewick. You can get to major hubs like Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Denver from here. Spokane's International Airport is two hours away, and SeaTac, which is near Seattle, is three and a half hours away.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Kennewick Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Washington - Safety by City