Is Mercer Island Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Mercer Island, Washington, is a city and an island tucked between Seattle to the west and Bellevue to the east.

The island stands out for more than just its location; this is where the billionaires live.

The head of Starbucks and Microsoft’s co-founder Paul Allen are just two notable names that call (or have called) Mercer Island home.

Surrounded by Lake Washington, this serene residential community has a unique history and charming natural landscapes.

Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, the island was named after the Mercer early pioneer family.

Throughout its history, Mercer Island went from a remote area to forage, to a Gilded Age vacation destination, and to a tight-knit community of the upper class, as it remains today.

Connected to Seattle and Bellevue by the Interstate 90 floating bridges, it offers convenient access to urban amenities while maintaining a peaceful, small-town vibe.

The entire island is two miles wide and five miles long.

The amenities for a tourist are limited but offer a remote experience with plenty of parks and natural areas–475 acres total–mixed in with a quaint city core.

There is something for everyone on Mercer Island, from CEOs to the common traveler.

Warnings & Dangers in Mercer Island

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There’s a low risk when visiting Mercer Island. It’s a safe, family-friendly community. In fact, the lack of things to do that are appealing to tourists might be the only concern.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Mercer Island offers a variety of transportation options, including King County Metro and Sound Transit. Each company has a trip-planning app you can use to plot out your itinerary and costs. Biking is popular, with designated lanes and trails. The island also features easy access to Interstate 90, making it convenient for drivers who opt for rental cars. Ridesharing services are widely available.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Between 2018 and 2022, just two pickpockets and two purse snatchings were reported. Keep in mind those numbers won’t include any thefts on the public transportation systems, since it’s just from the Mercer Island Police Department.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Risks run the gamut here, and things can get bad very quickly. That’s why we give this a medium risk. However, there aren’t consistently dangerous events happening on Mercer Island, which makes it that much more important when things do go sideways. Risks include earthquakes, landslides, windstorms, winter weather, flooding, and wildfires. Remember, Mercer Island is surrounded by water, and there are only two roads to enter and exit. Don’t wait to evacuate.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

2022 and 2023 had the highest robbery rates of the decade, but the raw number was five. That is less than one every other month, on average. In 2022, just one of those was a highway robbery. The risk is low.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Mercer Island, as a suburban community near Seattle, is generally considered a low-risk area for terrorism. The island's residential nature and limited high-profile targets contribute to this assessment. However, the greater Seattle/Tacoma area would be a medium risk due to its high profile. That risk also comes with an abundance of security.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The police department and local sheriff’s office will post the latest scams on social media. I noticed that the city's social media sites share that information on Mercer Island, too. As a highly residential area, the risk of a tourist being scammed is low. The only thing to watch out for would be vacation rental scams. You can learn more through the Better Business Bureau.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women have a low risk here, as it’s one of the safest places for solo travelers, moms, and all generations. You shouldn’t let the safety rankings and low crime rates cause you to let your guard down, however.

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 most recent water quality tests show full compliance and no violations.

Safest Places to Visit in Mercer Island

Mercer Island doesn’t have an official tourism bureau website, but some local real estate agents run blogs.

The best place to find out about things to do on Mercer Island is the city’s website.

Go to the Community tab and then select Things to Do.

Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue have separate tourism bureau websites, but there might be some overlap with Mercer Island.

I can’t write this enough – Mercer Island is highly residential.

That means you won’t find traditional attractions here. Most of the places to visit are community-based locations and parks.

The Town Center is about as close to a downtown area as you’ll get, but don’t expect high rises and a hectic pace.

The charming yet sophisticated layout includes restaurants, shops, and health services.

The Mercer Island Arts Council oversees the creative aspects of the island.

That includes the Greta Hackett Outdoor Sculpture Gallery, Mercer Island Galley (indoors), and local festivals/events throughout the year.

Luther Burbank Park is a large, 77-acre park on the northern tip of the island.

It has three-quarters of a mile of waterfront, including a swimming beach, fishing pier, and boat docks.

There are also picnic areas, an off-leash dog park, and plenty of trails for walking or jogging.

Located on the southern end of the island, Clarke Beach Park offers a more secluded setting with a small beach, picnic areas, and wooded trails.

It’s a great spot for swimming and enjoying a quiet day by the water.

Pioneer Park covers 113 acres, making it the largest natural area on the island.

The park is divided into three sections, each with a specific vibe.

For example, the northwest section is best for horseback rides and pet-friendly hikes, while the northeast quadrant offers a more challenging hiking experience with steep slopes.

Deane’s Children’s Park (aka Dragon’s Park) is home to a cool playground with a dragon-shaped jungle gym and a challenging bike course.

Places to Avoid in Mercer Island

Mercer Island is about as safe as you’re going to find in the Seattle/Tacoma region, Washington state, and the country.

This is an upper-class community with an average income of $191,000 and an average home price of $1.7 million (as of the 2020 census).

The biggest problem you’ll find here is people complaining about noise violations or illegal parking.

You want to avoid staying here if you’re looking to enjoy a robust nightlife or a lively part of the metro area.

This community is tight-knit, but the privacy and isolation come with certain quality-of-life expectations.

Also, avoid selecting Mercer Island for a place to stay in Seattle if you think it’s “centrally located.”

Geographically, that might be true.

However, adding in traffic and travel time to get off and on the island can really become burdensome.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Mercer Island

Mercer Island has a local police department. You can follow them on Facebook @MercerIslandPoliceDepartment. Feel free to call (206) 275-7610 if you have specific safety questions.
The police department is transparent with crime data, offering annual reports, 10-year comparisons, and monthly updates on its website. You can also use the interactive crime data map to search for the most recent six months of activity.
ALERT King County is the regional emergency notification system that will send you text messages, emails, or phone calls about any severe weather, public safety, or natural disaster threat. The program is free and can be easily removed once your trip is over.
Washington requires boaters who are 50 years old and younger to take a boating safety course. Two online providers can help you get the certification required to operate a boat. You can find more information on the Marine Patrol section of the city’s website.
Fishing requires a license from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, but a safety course isn’t needed. The license should be carried with you at all times while you’re engaged in fishing. Please review the Washington Department of Health fish consumption advisories before you go fishing on Lake Washington.
Parking options on Mercer Island are plentiful, but some are reserved for park-and-ride drivers, while others are for short-term parking. The city has a great summary of all the parking options on the Getting Around section of its website.
While you’re on that website, check out the Living with Wildlife section. Coyotes are just one of several wild animals that live on Mercer Island. It’s important to understand the seriousness of feeding, baiting, or trapping a wild animal. The activities can cause harm to you or the animal; it can also cause the animal to become more comfortable and aggressive around people. Once an animal is deemed dangerous, euthanasia is the only option. You can report coyote sightings or aggressive behavior by calling the police at (425) 577-5656.
Deer also live on the island and have great lives, considering that hunting isn’t allowed. While these animals are rarely aggressive, they pose a danger on the road. Deer are known to jump out suddenly in front of cars and are most active near dawn and dusk. Always stick to the speed limit and keep an eye out for deer on the side of the road.
Sign up for the weekly city newsletter or follow the city on social media (@CityOfMercerIsland on Facebook) to get updates on local events or road work. As there isn’t a tourism site for the city, this is the best way to stay informed about what is happening on a hyper-local level.
Use the Washington State Department of Transportation real-time travel map (wdsot.com/travel/real-time) to check travel times, construction, weather conditions, and live cameras between your destinations.

So... How Safe Is Mercer Island Really?

Mercer Island is extremely safe, with a violent crime rate in 2023 that was 80% lower than the national and state averages.

It’s also worth noting that violent crime rates increased over the past decade by 86%, but that comes with a HUGE caveat.

In this city of 26,000 thousand people, crime has been rare for years.

Before 2022, there wasn’t a year in the decade where that number got above 11 crimes a year.

In 2022, there were 25.

By 2023, the number was down to 15, making the year-to-year rate down 40%.

An example like that is why it’s important to get context with any crime data you research.

Sometimes, just looking at percentages doesn’t tell the full story.

Oh, and any tourists that visit a community don’t count in the formula for determining crime rates.

Those are calculated using only census population numbers.

Over the past five years, just one in five crimes involved a stranger.

Theft rates were 67% lower than the national average in 2023.

Those are also down 78% since 2014, dropping from 541 thefts to 119 thefts in 2023.

Even auto theft, which is spiking across Washington state, took a spike to 42 in 2022 but was down to less than two dozen in 2023.

Mercer Island consistently ranks as one of the Top 10 Safest Cities in Washington.

The only downside?

It’s highly residential, and there isn’t a lot for tourists to do there.

You’ll inevitably have to cross a bridge to get to Seattle or Bellevue, which brings a whole new question about safety.

Luckily, we have all those cities covered on this website.

How Does Mercer Island Compare?

City	Safety Index
Mercer Island	82
Baltimore	56
Boston	67
Washington DC	56
New York City	67
Detroit	56
San Diego	67
Calgary (Canada)	82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60
Vancouver (Canada)	82
Cordoba (Argentina)	61
Toronto (Canada)	81
Melbourne (Australia)	80

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. The same rules apply whether you’re arriving by cruise ship or airplane.

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

Mercer Island’s weather ranges from cold to mild but never quite makes it to “hot.” Summers peak in the upper 70s F with lows into the 50s. Winters stay in the 40s during the day but drop to the mid-30s at night. The rainy season is from October through April. However, most people here won’t carry umbrellas. You’ll want bug spray for outdoor activities.

Airports

Seattle Tacoma International Airport is 19 miles away, but always check traffic conditions as that can slow down your drive time dramatically. A new light rail expansion for 2025 should make access to the airport easier via public transportation.

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.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Mercer Island Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 6° C

Feb 7° C

Mar 9° C

Apr 12° C

May 15° C

Jun 17° C

Jul 20° C

Aug 20° C

Sep 17° C

Oct 13° C

Nov 8° C

Dec 6° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	9	10	13	16	19	22	25	25	22	16	11	8
Low °C	3	3	5	7	10	12	15	15	12	9	5	3
High °F	48	50	55	61	66	72	77	77	72	61	52	46
Low °F	37	37	41	45	50	54	59	59	54	48	41	37

Washington - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Anacortes	82
Bainbridge Island	85
Bellevue	84
Diablo	78
Forks	85
Gig Harbor	75
Kennewick	40
Kent	42
Kettle Falls	78
Longview	82
Mercer Island	82
Moses Lake	46
Neah Bay	77
Ocean Shores	79
Olympia	57
Port Angeles	72
Port Townsend	81
Poulsbo	79
Pullman	79
Quinault	82
Renton	70
San Juan Islands	83
Seabrook	78
Seattle	55
Sequim	77
Snoqualmie	78
Spokane	74
Spokane Valley	62
Tacoma	38
Walla Walla	72
Wenatchee	80
Westport	78
Yakima	62

Is Mercer Island Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Washington : Safety by City