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

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Walla Walla, Washington, located in the southeastern part of the state, is a small city with a big reputation, particularly in the wine industry.

Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Indigenous tribes lived peacefully off the land until the arrival of colonials, including the famous Lewis & Clark.

Founded in the mid-19th century, Walla Walla started as a trading post and military fort.

It has a complicated history, including being a key stop along the Oregon Trail.

Several amazing museums help you understand the path to the Walla Walla we know today.

The area is known for its fertile soil, making agriculture a vital part of its economy.

Walla Walla onions, a sweet variety, are a notable product of the region.

In recent decades, the economy has diversified, with the wine industry taking a prominent role.

The region’s unique atmosphere and environment have made it one of the premier wine-producing areas in the country, home to over 120 wineries.

This industry has brought a wave of tourism, transforming Walla Walla into a vibrant destination with charming downtown areas, upscale restaurants, and boutique shops.

Some big-name celebrities and sports stars are even opening up their iteration of wine-tasting rooms.

Beyond its agricultural and viticultural prominence, Walla Walla is also known for its educational institutions, including Whitman College.

The local arts scene is thriving, with numerous galleries and cultural events throughout the year.

On the horizon, there’s the Columbia River, the Tri-Cities of Washington, and the Oregon border just six miles south.

Warnings & Dangers in Walla Walla

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Walla Walla has an average risk, which might catch some people off guard if they were expecting a quaint, rural town. There are certain safety points to focus on while visiting, but nothing that should dissuade you from visiting.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Valley Transit is a public transportation system here, with fixed routes and on-demand services. Taxis and rideshares are easy to find. Having a rental car offers more flexibility to explore, but all options are low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

About seven pickpockets or purse snatchings happen each year in Walla Walla. While that's a low risk, it's higher than I've seen in some Washington cities twice the size. Theft rates are higher than the national average, so you should still use basic safety precautions.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Walla Walla faces medium natural disaster risks, primarily from wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. The region's dry summers and abundant vegetation increase wildfire susceptibility. Seasonal flooding can occur due to heavy rain or snowmelt. Earthquake risk exists due to nearby fault lines, though major seismic activity is infrequent.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Robbery rates are 63% lower than the national average and have been cut in half since 2017. In addition, just one in five robberies falls into the same category as muggings. The risk is low.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Walla Walla has a low terrorism risk, with no significant history of terrorist activities in the area. There is a lot of gang activity, which should be one of the bigger concerns during your visit, instead of terrorism.

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. Most scams here focus on the residents, which means it's a low risk for you.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Nothing in the crime data or recent headlines suggests that women are at a higher risk. In fact, statistics show women are less likely to be victims of violent crime. However, basic personal safety standards should be used while visiting Walla Walla.

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 report for Walla Walla shows one reporting error, while the rest of the testing shows full compliance.

Safest Places to Visit in Walla Walla

You can visit the city’s tourism site at WallaWalla.org.

If you look at the Trip Inspiration section, there’s a list of different things to do in each season.

To get more information on Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland, head to visittri-cities.com, as that’s the tourism site for the region about 50 miles west of Walla Walla.

Walla Walla is known for its wine country, with over 120 wineries in the region.

Downtown has a wine district with 40 options, in addition to restaurants and shops.

You can learn more at downtownww.com.

Wineries can be found on all sides of town and in the county, with famous names like Drew Bledsoe, Kyle MacLachlan, and Stephen Amell owning separate locations.

The Kirkman House Museum is a beautifully preserved Victorian-era home that showcases the lifestyle of Walla Walla’s early settlers.

Built in 1880, this museum features original furnishings, artifacts, and period clothing, providing a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.

Check the schedule for the Murder Mystery event.

Fort Walla Walla Museum is located on the grounds of a 19th-century military fort and features exhibits on the area’s pioneer history, agriculture, and military heritage.

The museum includes several historical buildings, a pioneer village, and extensive collections of artifacts and photographs.

The Museum of Un-Natural History is a quirky and whimsical art installation created by local artist Gerald Matthews.

This unique museum features a collection of fantastical and imaginative sculptures and art pieces made from repurposed materials, offering a playful take on traditional museum experiences.

Located on the Whitman College campus, the Maxey Museum features rotating exhibits focusing on anthropology, history, and the natural sciences.

Whitman Mission National Historic Site commemorates the history of the Whitman Mission, where missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman lived and worked among the Cayuse people.

The site features walking trails, interpretive exhibits, and historical markers that tell the story of cultural encounters and the tragic Whitman Massacre of 1847.

Places to Avoid in Walla Walla

While there aren’t neighborhoods too dangerous to drive through, Walla Walla does have an ongoing gang problem.

It’s best to stay out of the side streets in residential areas around the hospital and downtown.

While gang activity doesn’t likely spill over into random acts of violence, there’s little concern for gang members if a bystander gets in the way.

You can use the interactive crime map of the city to check for the latest hot spots for crime, but it might be worth a call to the police station to ask where the gang neighborhoods are located.

The best suggestion for planning a trip is to set your daily itinerary ahead of time so you are staying close to the places designed for visitors.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Walla Walla

Walla Walla has a local police department. You can follow them on Facebook @WallaWallaPoliceDept. Plus, you can call (509)527-4434 to ask for any specific safety information.
Sign up for emergency alerts through the Walla Walla County Citizen Alert program. These alerts include severe weather, wildlife information, and other public safety hazards.
Walla Walla Police Department offers a crime map with daily updates. You can review all criminal incidents from the past month or year. This is a great way to see crime rates near your hotel or the places on your itinerary.
You can learn more safety information and connect with people who live in the community through the Walla Walla Area Crime Watch (WWACW) website. Various documents are available for free to help prevent crimes like car burglaries or scams.
Walla Walla University students can sign up for Omnilert notifications through the university website. You will need a campus account to sign up. Campus security can also be reached by calling (509) 527-2222.
Anglers are required to have a license from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. You can purchase that license online. While you’re there, learn about the fishing seasons, access points, and biotoxin concerns.
Download the OWWL app, which stands for One Walla Walla List. This app provides all the contact information you could need during your visit. That includes a list and map of free parking areas in Walla Walla.
Lakes in this region can have toxic algae blooms that are dangerous to people and deadly to pets. You can check with the Walla Walla County Department of Health for updates before you visit a body of water. Updated reports are also posted on nwtoxicalgae.org.
Use the Washington Department of Natural Resources website or the Inciweb site to check for wildfires burning nearby or to see if fires could impact air quality. Dangerous fire danger conditions could lead to burn bans at campsites, so check that as well before you solidify plans.
Without even looking for information about wildlife spotted in Walla Walla, I’ve come across articles about bears, moose, cougars, and rattlesnakes making their way into the city. Check out the Washington Fish & Wildlife “Living With Wildlife” website section to learn how to handle a surprise interaction.

So... How Safe Is Walla Walla Really?

The violent crime rate in Walla Walla is on pace with the national and state averages.

That rate has dropped 28% since the high in 2015.

Looking at the past five years of crime data, 87% of violent crimes were between people who knew each other.

That lowers the risk of a random act of violence.

In addition, 54% of crimes happen in private homes.

Theft rates are 56% higher than the national average.

At the same time, those rates have dropped 42% in the past decade.

More than one-third of those thefts fall into the “Other” category, which can include things like construction equipment theft.

About 24% are related to car break-ins and accessory thefts, an easy risk to avoid by locking your car and removing personal items from inside.

The Walla Walla Police Department brought back the Career Criminal Apprehension Team a few years ago, which was on hiatus due to budget cuts.

The team focuses on repeat offenders and crime hot spots, which initially showed a decrease in several categories, like burglaries.

How Does Walla Walla Compare?

City	Safety Index
Walla Walla	72
St. Louis	58
Los Angeles	56
Oakland	57
New Orleans	57
Baltimore	56
Boston	67
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60

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

Walla Walla gets a robust mix of all four seasons, with hot summers reaching the upper 80s F and lows dipping into the 50s. Winters are cold, but temperatures aren't too bad considering the latitude. Expect highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s or 30s. You'll want comfortable outdoor clothing here with hiking boots and gear for the river. Expect minimal snow in the valley and more rain on the west side than on the east side.

Airports

Walla Walla Valley Regional Airport (ALW) has two flights a day to Seattle and two inbound flights from Seattle. If you need more flight options, Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, Washington, is about an hour's drive away and offers additional connections to major hubs like Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Denver, and Los Angeles.

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

Walla Walla Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 1° C

Feb 5° C

Mar 9° C

Apr 12° C

May 16° C

Jun 20° C

Jul 24° C

Aug 24° C

Sep 18° C

Oct 12° C

Nov 6° C

Dec 2° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	4	9	13	17	22	27	31	31	24	18	9	5
Low °C	-2	1	4	6	10	13	16	16	11	6	2	-1
High °F	39	48	55	63	72	81	88	88	75	64	48	41
Low °F	28	34	39	43	50	55	61	61	52	43	36	30

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 Walla Walla Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Washington : Safety by City