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

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Renton, Washington, has a rich history intertwined with the growth of the Pacific Northwest.

Established in the 1870s, Renton originally thrived as a coal mining town.

Its development accelerated with the advent of the railroads, positioning it as a key industrial hub.

By the mid-20th century, Renton had evolved into a center for manufacturing, notably with Boeing setting up its operations in the city.

This cemented Renton’s role in the aerospace industry, an economic driver that remains significant today.

The city has diversified its economy over the years, welcoming high-tech firms and healthcare industries.

Renton’s strategic location near major highways and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport makes it an attractive spot for businesses and residents alike.

The presence of major employers like Boeing, PACCAR, and Valley Medical Center supports a robust job market and a thriving local economy.

What sets Renton apart is its seamless blend of urban conveniences with natural beauty.

Nestled by the shores of Lake Washington, the city offers picturesque waterfront views and outdoor activities that cater to all ages.

Renton’s downtown area, with its historic buildings and modern amenities, reflects the city’s rich heritage and contemporary growth.

The city has also embraced a thriving arts scene.

It offers the charm of a smaller city while being in close proximity to Seattle’s bustling urban environment.

The city’s commitment to preserving its history while fostering innovation makes it a unique and appealing destination for both residents and tourists.

The city is home to 107,000 people, an 18% increase from 2010.

It’s also a great place to stay close to Seattle while still being along the way to Mount Rainier National Park.

Warnings & Dangers in Renton

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There’s a low risk in Renton, but a surge of crime since 2022 could easily push that into a medium risk within the next few years. In this article, we’ll go through some of the safest places to visit.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Renton has a reliable public transportation system primarily served by King County Metro. Buses connect various neighborhoods and provide links to nearby cities like Seattle and Bellevue. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful, and rental cars are another great option. The risk is low, but stay tuned for information about car thefts and car break-ins.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Theft rates are 40% higher than the national average in Renton, but only five purse snatchings have happened in the past five years. No pickpockets were reported in that time frame. The risk is statistically low, but I’d highly recommend treating it as a medium risk due to the number of thefts elsewhere.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

There’s a medium risk in Renton, but it’s more due to the severity of a potential disaster than the frequency. The Emergency Management Department lists earthquakes, severe weather, flooding, landslides, and volcanoes as natural disaster risks. You can read the safety steps for each one on the city’s website.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The risk is low, even though the robbery rate is about 40% higher than the national average. Just 11% of robberies in 2022 were muggings. The city doesn’t have the best lighting and sidewalk system, which can make it feel more ominous. Stay in well-lit areas after dark.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

As part of the Seattle/Tacoma area, we’ll give it a medium risk, but there’s not a looming risk of international terrorism. Domestic terrorism and mass shootings can happen in any U.S. city, so stay vigilant and report suspicious activity.

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.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Statistically, women are 7% less likely to be victims of violent crimes. Avoid walking around alone at night and stay in well-lit areas. While there isn’t a crime trend of women being targeted, you need to have a confident, alert stature as you’re visiting Renton.

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 2024 report for Renton shows full compliance and no violations.

Safest Places to Visit in Renton

The city’s official tourism website is visitrentonwa.com.

You can download the Visit Renton app to have a direct connection to all the resources on the website.

It’s free and available in the app stores.

The main sections to visit in Renton are The Landing (thelandinginrenton.com) and Downtown (rentondowntown.com).

The Landing in Renton is a vibrant shopping and dining destination offering a mix of popular retailers, restaurants, and entertainment options.

Located conveniently near Lake Washington, it’s a perfect spot for casual outings, family gatherings, or a quick bite while enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest atmosphere.

Downtown Renton blends historic charm with modern amenities.

Stroll through its unique shops, dine at diverse restaurants, and enjoy community events at Piazza Park.

The area’s vibrant arts scene, including the Renton Civic Theatre and local galleries, makes it a cultural hub worth exploring.

For a history lesson, visit the Renton History Museum inside an Art Deco firehouse dating back to 1942.

It’s just on the outskirts of downtown.

You can rent kayaks or paddleboards at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and explore the lake’s serene waters.

The park also has boat launches for those looking to sail or fish.

For a more leisurely experience, take a scenic waterfront walk or beautiful boat tours on the water.

Northwest Seaplanes offers plane rides over Renton or the Seattle area, with additional flights that can take you to the San Juan Islands.

Shuttle rides are also available to and from SeaTac International Airport.

Jimmy Hendrix is laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Renton, with a memorial open to the public to pay respects.

Places to Avoid in Renton

Renton doesn’t have neighborhoods that are too dangerous to visit, but several might border on the “sketchy” side of town.

That said, Renton is the kind of city where you shouldn’t go into random neighborhoods if you have no reason to be there.

With the way crime trends are changing here and the city is growing, it’s hard to say the concerning parts of town today will be the same in two, five, or 10 years.

In addition, downtown is best visited during the daytime.

Even residents have some concerns about going there at night.

Finally, Boeing’s presence in Renton is a huge economic driver, but it’s also part of the whistleblower investigations that have plagued the aviation giant.

As sensational as the story is, don’t ask people who work for Boeing about it.

This has been a huge blemish on an otherwise applauded company.

Be respectful of the situation.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Renton

Renton has a local police department. You can follow them on Facebook or X @Rentonpdwa. The phone number is (425) 430-7500, and the email directly to the public information officer is policepio@rentonwa.gov.
Sign up for Alert Renton emergency notifications. This will include public safety threats, severe weather, missing kids, and other urgent information that needs mass dissemination. You can also follow @RentonEM on Facebook and Twitter.
Renton uses the City Protect interactive crime mapping technology to display the latest criminal activity. You control the search parameters, allowing you to look for crime trends near your hotel or chosen attraction. A crime data dashboard also shows a summary of crimes during any timeframe you select.
This is one of many cities dealing with a surge of juvenile crime. It’s not uncommon for 13 or 14-year-olds to be involved in crime sprees, car chases, or other disruptive criminal behavior. Don’t assume a group of kids are safe or friendly.
Download the Renton Responds app to have a direct line of contact with all city departments. This means you can report things like storm damage, graffiti, or potholes quickly and easily. You can opt for updates about the issue or report the problem anonymously.
In June 2024, Renton had one week with nine DUI accidents. Please don’t risk driving under the influence. Call a taxi or rideshare even if you don’t feel you are too impaired to drive. If you suspect someone else on the road is driving under the influence, please call the police dispatch to get an officer on the scene.
Black bears can make their way into Renton, especially in spring when momma bears and cubs are foraging. If you see a bear, do not attempt to draw its attention or feed it. The Department of Fish & Wildlife will only respond to bear sightings where the animal is posing a threat.
Anglers are required to have a state license and carry it with them at all times while fishing. You can get a license at local outdoor outfitters or through the Fish & Wildlife website. Be sure you review the fish consumption advisories before you think about cooking dinner with your fresh catch.
Several parts of Renton have red light cameras that will snap a photo of your license plate if you go through a red light. The tickets are then mailed to the owner of the vehicle. The system is designed to track down rental car owners, so don’t think you are off the hook if you’re renting.
Parking is free in Renton, with some spots offering time lengths up to 10 hours. Don’t leave a car parked overnight. The downtown Renton website has a convenient map of all the on-street and garage parking areas.

So... How Safe Is Renton Really?

There’s a lot of bad press out there about Renton, including a surge of juvenile crime and a lack of options to fix increasing crime rates.

At the end of 2022, the violent crime rate was still 7% lower than the state and national averages.

By the end of 2023, that rate was 7% higher than the average.

A survey done in the summer of 2023 showed that even people who live there don’t always feel safe in the community.

While daytime hours received the highest markets, with 80% of residents feeling safe in their neighborhoods and another 60% feeling safe downtown, those numbers change at night.

Just 40% of residents said they felt safe in their neighborhood and in The Landing shopping area after dark.

A whopping 90% said they don’t feel safe in downtown Renton at night.

“There’s no other way to put it, but what we are seeing is more and more juveniles involved in violent and property crimes.

In some cases, rates are doubling and tripling year over year,” Renton Police Chief Jon Schuldt posted on social media in March 2024.

ComEngage Vice President of Insights and Solutions Nathan Wiggin said in a public forum, “We oftentimes see insufficient lighting is a big contributor to the people feeling safe.

People don’t feel safe walking around if there’s no sidewalks or street lights – if it’s dark, you’re afraid that you’re going to get mugged – if it’s bright [and] there’s people around, you feel more safe.”

Theft rates were up 30% between 2022 and 2023, with the rate coming in 40% higher than the national average.

Before choosing to rent a car here, ask the car company what steps they take to avoid car accessory thefts.

Nearly 1,000 accessory thefts happened in the past five years, far outweighing the number of car break-ins.

Then there’s car theft.

The rate went up 41% between 2022 and 2023.

During the latter year, about 2,000 vehicles were stolen.

That averages about 38 a week.

There has also been at least one time when 21 cars were stolen in a 24-hour period.

You’ll need street smarts, common sense, and exceptional personal safety habits to fully enjoy all that Renton has to offer.

However, no safety risk should make you avoid the city.

How Does Renton Compare?

City	Safety Index
Renton	70
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.

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

Renton might get into the 30s during the winter, but temperatures generally stay above freezing with highs near 50°F. Like most other cities across this region, the rainy season is October through April. Summers heat up to almost 80°F, with lows in the 50s. This isn’t the rainiest spot in Washington, with about 40 inches per year. Snow is seldom seen.

Airports

Renton is just eight miles from Seattle Tacoma International Airport, giving you quick access to the major flight center in the Pacific Northwest.

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

Renton 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 21° C

Sep 18° C

Oct 13° C

Nov 9° 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	26	23	17	12	8
Low °C	3	3	5	7	10	12	15	15	12	8	5	3
High °F	48	50	55	61	66	72	77	79	73	63	54	46
Low °F	37	37	41	45	50	54	59	59	54	46	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 Renton Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Washington : Safety by City