Study: Safest Cities in Washington


Snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and the rugged beauty of the coast are among Washington's most attractive features. Add in a crime rate that's well below the national average, and it's easy to see why so many people prefer to call the Evergreen State home.

While the tech boom has made Seattle a hotspot for newcomers, there are a multitude of equally desirable cities around the state. CreditDonkey decided to do some digging to find out which of Washington’s cities have the best reputation where crime is concerned. We found that in several cities, certain types of violent and property crime were nonexistent in 2014.

Life in this part of the Pacific Northwest is a dream if you’re the outdoorsy type, but even if you’re not, you’ll still appreciate the serene, peaceful surroundings. It’s particularly peaceful in the communities that made it onto our safest cities list.

Study Methodology

First, we took a look at FBI Crime Report data for 2014 to determine the violent and property crime rates for each city. In the violent crime category, we looked at the number of murders, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults reported for the year. For property crimes, burglaries, larcenies, motor vehicle thefts, and arsons were included in our search.

One of the predictors of crime is the size of a city. The smaller it is, the lower crime is likely to be. For our study, we decided to focus on those Washington cities with a population of at least 5,000 residents or more.

To come up with the 50 safest cities, we used four key indicators:

  • Number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents
  • Number of robberies per 1,000 residents*
  • Number of property crimes per 1,000 residents
  • Number of burglaries per 1,000 residents*

* In addition to looking at the overall crime rates, we gave special attention to robbery and burglary, which tend to occur more frequently. When trying to gauge the overall safety of a neighborhood, the robbery and burglary rates are a good way to measure how secure you’ll feel living there.

Using these four criteria, each city was assigned a CreditDonkey safety score. The 50 cities that rose to the top as the safest in Washington are listed according to their score. A lower safety score rating translated to a higher ranking in our study.

Safest Cities 2016: Rankings

50. Ferndale

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 2.1
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 28.9
  • Burglary per 1,000: 5.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 9.2

Ferndale styles itself as a “City of Opportunity,” and whether you’re set on starting a business or raising a family, it’s a safe place to pursue your goals. Ferndale’s police department is big on community involvement. The annual Halloween Safety Patrol is just one of the ways officers stay connected with citizens while combatting crime.

49. Bothell

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.7
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 30.4
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.9

About 36,000 people live in the city of Bothell, which is part of the “Eastside” section of Seattle’s larger metro area. Since 2010, the city’s population has increased by just over 9%, owing in part to the Seattle tech boom that’s bringing new faces to the area. While the number of residents has increased, crime hasn’t; there were just 26 violent crimes reported for 2014.

48. Bonney Lake

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.1
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  • Property crime per 1,000: 27.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 6.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.9

The Bonney Lake Police Department takes a proactive approach to heading off crime. Between motorized patrols, bicycle patrols, and marine patrols along Lake Tapps, officers have got every square inch of the city covered. Programs like the free Citizen’s Academy and National Night Out encourage citizens to interact with local law enforcement in a positive way.

47. Redmond

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 29.9
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.1
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.7

With over 58,000 residents, Redmond is one of the Seattle metro area’s larger communities as well as one of the most affluent. Companies like Microsoft and Nintendo are headquartered here, and workers take home a median household income approaching $100,000 annually. Despite its size, Redmond still rates as one of Washington’s safest cities, with only 30 violent crimes (including 8 robberies) reported in 2014.

46. Sunnyside

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.3
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  • Property crime per 1,000: 28.4
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.6
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.7

Everything is sunny in Sunnyside. Although the surrounding area is mostly rural, the city itself offers all the modern conveniences you’d want in a hometown. The Sunnyside Police Department is well equipped to tackle any crime-related issues that may arise. Citizens are encouraged to aid in the effort to tamp down crime through the volunteer reserves program.

What is Sunnyside's secret to fighting crime?

Sunnyside has taken a very assertive position in fighting street crimes, gangs, graffiti and code violations. When we are notified of graffiti or code violations we immediately dispatch our crew to remove it.

Our code enforcement officer issued 1764 citations alone. This enforcement ensures clean neighborhoods and reduces the likelihood of criminal activity.

We use public awareness campaigns to encourage our citizens to contact our police any time they see suspicious behavior. We also established a gang unit which focused on identifying and suppressing gang activity. The gang unit has since been dissolved. We are preparing to replace it this year with a new street crimes unit that will have a larger focus to include all levels of street crimes and traffic violations.
Donald Day, City Manager of Sunnyside

45. Issaquah

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 31.4
  • Burglary per 1,000: 2.0
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.5

About 12 miles from Bellevue and 18 miles from Seattle, Issaquah is one of the area’s fastest-growing suburbs. The population has jumped by nearly 12% since 2010, with many new residents attracted by the numerous job opportunities and higher median incomes. The city reported zero murders in 2014, along with eight robberies and 70 burglaries.

44. Lake Forest Park

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.7
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.36
  • Burglary per 1,000: 7.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.5

Lake Forest Park sits just north of Seattle, along the shores of Lake Washington. The Neighborhood Block Watch program is just one of the initiatives developed by the city’s police department to protect residents and their property. The program seems to be effective; in 2014, no murders were reported, and city recorded just nine violent crimes in total.

43. Cheney

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 2.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.7
  • Burglary per 1,000: 5.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.5

Cheney is a thriving community of just over 11,000 people, located a few miles southwest of Spokane. Many of the city’s full-time residents are employees of nearby Fairchild Air Force Base. And each fall brings new residents as classes resume at East Washington University. The Cheney Police Department works to keep crime at a minimum, and the Volunteers in Police Service Program allows locals to lend a hand.

42. Fircrest

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.7
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.8
  • Property crime per 1,000: 23.3
  • Burglary per 1,000: 8.1
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.5

The Fircrest Police Department offers 24/7 police assistance to the city’s 6,600 residents, many of whom are retirees. As a middle-class suburb of Tacoma, the city offers reasonably priced homes, quaint neighborhoods and, of course, a low crime rate. There were no rapes or murders reported in Fircrest in 2014, and 5 of the city’s 11 violent crimes were robberies.

41. Milton

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 2.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.7
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.9
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.7
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.4

Milton sits just east of Tacoma, making it a good choice if you prefer small-town life but don’t want to sacrifice the convenience of being close to the big city. Milton’s police department features a full-time staff, but there’s also a reserve officer training program that is open to qualified, part-time candidates who are interested in helping keep the city safe.

There's more projects on the way:

We are constantly evaluating safer ways for pedestrians to navigate city walking. The city will see new flashing crosswalk signals in three popular street-crossing locations. And getting underway this spring is the Milton Way pedestrian/electrical system undergrounding project, which will improve over ½ mile of arterial roadway with curb/gutter/sidewalk.
Aaron Nix, Public Works & Community Development Director, City of Milton

40. Edgewood

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 2.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  • Property crime per 1,000: 22.0
  • Burglary per 1,000: 8.8
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.4

The city of Edgewood is right next door to Milton and like its neighbor, it’s got a great reputation for safety. Edgewood’s population is larger by about 2,000 residents, but it reported only six more violent crimes than Milton for 2014. There were no murders on the books and the number of robberies came to four.

39. Mukilteo

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.2
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  • Property crime per 1,000: 26.0
  • Burglary per 1,000: 5.0
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.2

Mukilteo’s name means “good camping grounds.” Its location along the Puget Sound makes it an ideal spot for enjoying the best of what nature has to offer. The city has a solid economy and residents earn one of the highest median incomes in the Seattle metro area. The Mukilteo Police Department does its part to maintain the city’s high quality of living through various crime prevention programs like Vacation Watch.

38. East Wenatchee

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.1
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  • Property crime per 1,000: 27.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.3
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 8.1

East Wenatchee borders the Columbia River, making both kayaking and rafting favorite pastimes during the summer months. Skiing and snowboarding at the Mission Ridge Ski Resort are on the agenda once winter sets in. Regardless of how you prefer to spend your time, you can feel confident in the East Wenatchee Police Department’s ability to keep you safe.

37. Orting

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.1
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.7
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.8
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.9

Orting is less than 20 miles away from Tacoma, and the 7,000 or so people who live here appreciate its slower pace. A rich history, plenty of outdoor space, and charming neighborhoods are all part of the appeal. It doesn’t hurt that crime is a rarity here — that’s something the Orting Police Department takes great pride in.

36. University Place

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 2.1
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.7
  • Property crime per 1,000: 22.1
  • Burglary per 1,000: 6.8
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.9

Another Puget Sound city, University Place is a thriving suburban community of about 32,000 people, just minutes from Tacoma. Retirees make up a sizable part of the population, but you’ll also find plenty of families here thanks to excellent schools and pleasant neighborhoods. Public safety is priority number one for the city’s police department, and the CodeRED alert system keeps citizens updated on criminal activity.

35. Lake Stevens

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.6
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.2
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.9

The city of Lake Stevens borders the lake with which it shares a name, and it got its start as a resort town. Today, visitors still come to enjoy fishing and boating along the lake, and the city has grown to more than 30,000 permanent residents. Local law enforcement is interested in educating kids about safety and crime prevention from an early age. The Explorer Program allows youth aged 14 to 21 to learn about policing firsthand.

34. Washougal

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.3
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.5
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.3
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.8

Washougal is in a prime spot for anyone who likes spending time outside. It’s right next to the Columbia River, and there are several natural spaces close by, including Reed Island State Park and Sandy River Delta Park. You can soak up the sunshine and fresh air without concerns about crime casting a shadow over your day.

33. Prosser

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 3.36
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 23.2
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.1
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.8

Prosser is the birthplace of the Washington wine industry, and that factors heavily into the area’s cultural scene. There are numerous wine and food-related events held here throughout the year, including the Art Walk and Wine Gala and Thanksgiving in Wine Country. Prosser’s police department works to keep residents safe not only at these events but everywhere in the community. You can even keep tabs on criminal activity using the RAIDS Online crime mapping tool.

32. Anacortes

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.4
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.0
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.8

Around 16,000 people live in Anacortes, and nearly a quarter of them are seniors over age 65. Boating, hiking, and camping are some of the more popular pursuits among active locals. The city’s remote location helps to keep the crime rate low; in 2014, there were 23 violent crimes reported altogether, with no murders and only one robbery.

31. Ocean Shores

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.4
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 23.1
  • Burglary per 1,000: 6.2
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.7

Ocean Shores is a scenic city of approximately 5,600 people on the Point Brown peninsula along Washington’s coast. Roughly a third of the population is composed of retirees who come here for the waterfront views and the serene atmosphere. Crime is infrequent, but the Ocean Shores Police Department has sworn to spring into action whenever they’re called upon.

30. Wapato

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.6
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  • Property crime per 1,000: 23.5
  • Burglary per 1,000: 5.1
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.7

With fewer than 5,100 residents, Wapato is the smallest Washington community in our rankings. Fortunately for the city’s police department, that means officers aren’t swamped with crime reports. If you want to see what a day in the life of a Wapato police officer is like, check out the ride-along program for an eye-opening experience.

29. Grandview

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.3
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 22.0
  • Burglary per 1,000: 7.0
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.6

Grandview’s motto is “A Great Place to Live,” and it has no trouble living up to that standard. Aside from the low crime rate, the city offers a cost of living that’s lower than both the state and national average. The area economy is largely agricultural, but if you don’t mind a bit of a drive, plenty of job opportunities can be had in Yakima and Kennewick.

28. Poulsbo

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.6
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 2.9
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.6

Dubbed “Little Norway” because of its Scandinavian roots, Poulsbo is the place to be if you want to live in a safe city that’s near the water. The city sits on Liberty Bay, just across the Puget Sound from Seattle. There were 15 violent crimes reported for 2014, with no murders and three robberies included in that total. There were 28 burglaries reported over the same period.

27. College Place

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.1
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 25.5
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.0
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.5

College Place, located just outside Walla Walla, is the home of Walla Walla University. This picturesque college town is big on community spirit, and residents work to keep an eye out for one another through local Block Watch programs. They also take advantage of Nextdoor, a private social safety network that allows citizens to interact online.

26. Pasco

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 2.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  • Property crime per 1,000: 21.4
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.2

Along with Richland and Kennewick, Pasco is part of the Tri-Cities Region and with more than 69,000 residents, it’s one of the largest cities in our rankings. Pasco’s police department uses a multi-pronged approach to detect and prevent crime in the community. Some of the initiatives the department sponsors include a Citizen’s Academy, a business crime watch and the Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program.

25. Kirkland

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.0
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 23.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.2
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 7.0

Kirkland’s one-of-a-kind downtown waterfront is a major selling point for new residents. Locals love to come here to check out what’s on the menu at their favorite restaurants. More than 85,000 people call Kirkland home, making it the largest city in our rankings. The city’s police department uses crime mapping to make it easier to scout out which neighborhoods are the safest.

24. Richland

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.7
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 22.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.2
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 6.9

Just across the Columbia River from Pasco is the fast-growing city of Richland. Once a small farming community, the population now exceeds 53,000 and the number of residents has climbed by 10% since 2010. Despite being a larger city, Richland was able to boast of zero murders reported in 2014 and just over a dozen robberies.

23. Mill Creek

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.3
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  • Property crime per 1,000: 23.2
  • Burglary per 1,000: 2.6
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 6.9

Originally a golfing community, Mill Creek has evolved into a unique and eye-catching city that’s well-suited for people of all ages. Aside from the beautifully maintained greens, you’ll find miles of hiking trails, nine city parks, and a Town Center that’s ideal for shopping and dining. Residents enjoy all of these features in a safe and relaxing atmosphere.

22. Normandy Park

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.9
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 20.4
  • Burglary per 1,000: 5.1
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 6.7

Normandy Park’s police department serves around 6,500 residents, and the department’s staff is a mix of commissioned and reserve officers. Like some of the other cities in our rankings, Normandy Park offers the RAD program for women to teach them defensive maneuvers against attempted sexual assault. Just one rape was reported in 2014.

Did you know:

Normandy Park has historic commitment to police service. Normandy Park police officers are broadly trained and community-oriented. Normandy Park retail interests are consolidated in two easily policed business locales.
Mark Hoppen, City Manager of Normandy Park

21. Pacific

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.3
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 22.0
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.1
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 6.6

Pacific is just under 16 miles east of Tacoma and roughly 30 miles south of Seattle. The city’s 7,100 residents saw fewer than 10 violent crime reports in 2014, while property crimes totaled 157. In terms of individual crimes, there were zero murders, one robbery. and 22 burglaries. Those low rates helped to propel Pacific to a higher ranking.

20. Steilacoom

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.0
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 16.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 6.8
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 6.1

Amazing views of the Puget Sound are just one of the things that makes Steilacoom shine. The city’s low crime rate is another — there were just six violent crimes reported here for all of 2014. The Public Safety Department is responsible for preventing and investigating crime in the area, and the number one goal is providing a safe environment for residents.

Did you know:

The Town of Steilacoom is a small Town with a community atmosphere. Neighbors know each other, work cooperatively with the Town government, and support Public Safety’s efforts in keeping the community safe.

To that end, citizens help keep an “eye” on the community in which they live and notify us if they see something unusual. The Public Safety officers and other Town staff follow up on these contacts in a timely manner and have been able to apprehend several individuals in the act.

Steilacoom works proactively with our neighboring communities to address larger issues and several of these cities are also on the list (Dupont, UP, Lakewood).

Town staff continually seek ways to improve operations and safety. We recently updated our in-car camera systems to provide clearer imaging of events, we continue infrastructure enhancements on both roadways and utilities, and are exploring possibilities of partnering with the Steilacoom Historical School District on a school resource officer position.
Paul Loveless, Town Administrator, Steilacoom

19. Oak Harbor

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.7
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 17.2
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.8
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 5.7

With slightly more than 22,000 residents, Oak Harbor is Whidbey Island’s largest incorporated city. As the island’s premier waterfront community, the city prides itself on its ability to maintain law and order. This is a cooperative effort between law enforcement and citizens, and the department sponsors numerous programs to keep residents in the loop.

18. Battle Ground

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.2
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 17.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 2.7
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 5.4

Battle Ground sits about 20 miles northeast of Vancouver, Wash., and 27 miles northeast of Portland, Ore. This city of approximately 18,500 residents proves to be exceptionally safe, with a crime rate that’s much lower than the state and national average. Of the 23 violent crimes reported in 2014, 3 were robberies, and in the property crime category, there were 50 burglaries.

17. West Richland

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.1
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 16.3
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.1
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 5.4

West Richland is all about being better together, and that cooperative spirit is something you’ll see at work in the city’s police department. If you’re headed out on vacation, officers will keep an eye on your home while you’re gone, and residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the department right away.

16. Liberty Lake

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 16.5
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.0
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 5.0

Liberty Lake is a small, close-knit city of 8,400 residents located just east of Spokane. Local law enforcement is dedicated to keeping the peace. Judging by the city’s crime rate, they’re doing a good job. An astonishingly low number of four violent crimes were reported in 2014, split evenly between two robberies and two aggravated assaults. The number of burglaries was also low, at 25 reports.

15. Kenmore

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.9
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 13.8
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.2
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 4.8

One of the Lake Washington area’s remaining port cities, Kenmore rubs elbows with both Lake Forest Park and Bothell. A low crime rate is something all three have in common, but Kenmore rose higher in our rankings based on the number of violent and property crimes reported in correlation with its population. The city’s police department contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office to make sure crime doesn’t get out of hand.

14. Maple Valley

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 14.4
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.5
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 4.6

Life is sweet in Maple Valley and it’s a place where you can get away from it all while still being in the middle of everything. At just under 30 miles from Seattle, it’s a convenient choice for families, professionals, and retirees who want to get back to nature while sticking close to the city. Above all, it’s safe: Maple Valley bears the distinction of being one of the few cities in our rankings that reported no murders and no robberies in 2014.

13. Bainbridge Island

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.4
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 14.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.3
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 4.6

Bainbridge Island has been recognized as one of CNN/Money’s best places to live, and the city’s residents wholeheartedly agree. It’s not only beautiful but safe as well and just a short ferry ride away from Seattle. Crime doesn’t happen often but when it does, the Bainbridge Island Police Department keeps citizens updated using Nixle alerts.

12. Mercer Island

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.2
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 15.3
  • Burglary per 1,000: 2.8
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 4.6

Mercer Island sits in the middle of Lake Washington and residents can easily travel to Seattle or Bellevue, which is perfect for commuters. About 24,000 people live in the city of the same name, and they’re under the protection of the Mercer Island Police Department. The department offers motorized, marine and bicycle patrols and there’s even a Special Operations Team that’s equipped to deal with high-risk situations.

11. Pullman

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.6
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 12.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 3.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 4.4

As one of Washington’s fastest-growing cities, Pullman has become a major hub of activity in the southeastern part of the state. While the surrounding county features an abundance of farmland, Pullman itself offers the best of city living. That includes a low crime rate, which can be attributed to the community policing model that’s favored by the city’s police department.

10. Brier

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.8
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  • Property crime per 1,000: 11.7
  • Burglary per 1,000: 4.7
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 4.3

In terms of incorporation, Brier is one of Washington’s younger cities, and over the years it’s developed into one of Seattle’s cozier suburbs. Housing is at a premium; home prices are higher but there’s a payoff in terms of safety. Brier experienced five violent crimes and 75 property crimes in 2014, including one robbery and 30 burglaries.

Location Matters:

I would say what makes us safer is we are not on a thoroughfare. Most people do not come to Brier unless they have a reason to.
Paula Swisher, CMC, City Clerk-Treasurer of Brier

9. Camas

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.8
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 13.9
  • Burglary per 1,000: 2.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 4.3

Camas is just west of Washougal and approximately 20 miles from Portland. Residents enjoy the best of everything here, including a low crime rate. The city’s police department takes an old-fashioned approach and officers believe in communicating face-to-face whenever possible. If you need help in an emergency situation, you can count on a quick and professional response.

8. Selah

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.3
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 12.2
  • Burglary per 1,000: 2.4
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 3.8

The mountain views are one of Selah’s best features, but the lack of crime also rates pretty high on the list. The city had the second lowest violent crime rate overall, with just two violent crimes reported in 2014. Aside from one rape and one robbery, there were 91 property crimes, 18 of which were burglaries.

7. Snoqualmie

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.8
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 12.5
  • Burglary per 1,000: 1.1
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 3.6

Snoqualmie is overflowing with charm. If you’re moving here for the first time, it won’t take long to feel right at home. Attractions like the Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge & Spa bring in a constant flow of visitors, but that doesn’t cause an uptick in crime. For 2014, the city saw 14 burglaries and one robbery, earning it a place in our top 10.

6. Lynden

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.6
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  • Property crime per 1,000: 10.7
  • Burglary per 1,000: 1.3
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 3.2

Lynden sits just a short distance from the Canadian border, and it’s one of four cities in Whatcom County that features a border crossing checkpoint. The Lynden Police Department maintains a sharp focus where criminal activity is concerned, and residents are encouraged to do the same. That degree of vigilance is reflected in the city’s crime rate, which saw fewer than 10 violent crimes reported for 2014.

5. Ridgefield

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.7
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 10.1
  • Burglary per 1,000: 0.3
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 2.8

Notable for being one of the places visited by the Lewis and Clark expedition, Ridgefield retains echoes of the past while looking ahead to the future. Although small, at around 5,800 residents, this city is packed with personality and it’s one of the safest places you can hang your hat at night. If you suspect a crime has taken place, you can give local police a heads up using the city’s online crime reporting system.

4. Duvall

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.1
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 9.7
  • Burglary per 1,000: 1.3
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 2.8

“Small Town. Real Life” is the motto in Duvall and if you’re looking for a city that’s full of friendly people, this is it. Although it has slightly more rural leanings, it’s only about 10 miles from Redmond and 25 miles from Seattle, making it convenient for shopping, dining or heading to the office. With just one violent crime reported in 2014 (an aggravated assault), Duvall’s claim as one of Washington’s safest cities is secure.

3. Sammamish

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.2
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 7.6
  • Burglary per 1,000: 2.6
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 2.6

Ranked as one of the nation’s friendliest towns by Forbes, Sammamish’s governance team strives to make life here as pleasant as possible for residents. One of the ways they do that is by keeping crime low. While the city’s population exceeds 51,000, violent crime is extremely rare. There were just eight violent crimes reported in 2014, and only one report involved a robbery.

Many young families have settled in Sammamish because they feel safe and comfortable walking about and attending events here.

In fact, we have had to remind citizens to lock their car doors and not be too complacent.

Neighbors look out for each other.

  • A recent example: A citizen ran out of gas about a mile from the nearest gas station. She phoned the Plateau Shell manager and she sent someone to her with gas to get her going again.
  • Sammamish Cares run by the Eastside Friends of Seniors was created to answer a call for many independent Senior citizens who need help with housekeeping, yard maintenance and rides for appointments and errands. Volunteers answer these needs.
  • There are an estimated 67 non-profit organizations in Sammamish designed to help others.

Deb Sogge, Exec. Director, Sammamish Chamber of Commerce

2. Connell

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 1.6
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 6.8
  • Burglary per 1,000: 1.9
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 2.6

Connell is one of a handful of cities that didn’t report any robberies for 2014. It also had the lowest total number of property crimes, at 39, and 11 of those were burglaries. The Connell Police Department deserves a solid pat on the back for its role in enhancing the safety and security of this quaint little community.

How does Connell stay so safe? Here's a few reasons:

  • We have an active police department who stays on top of issues and plans ahead for success.
  • We have a caring community; with citizens that observe and report potential problems, and help one another.
  • We have upcoming paving and sidewalk projects that will enhance safety; as well as Police Radio grants which improve communication and response.

Jed Crowther, City Administrator, City of Connell

1. Dupont

  • Violent crime per 1,000: 0.5
  • Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  • Property crime per 1,000: 5.0
  • Burglary per 1,000: 1.8
  • CreditDonkey safety score: 1.8

The city of Dupont has a stellar track record for safety, which is why it made it to the number one spot on our list. The city reported a total of five violent crimes in 2014, all of which were aggravated assaults. There were 48 property crimes, including 17 burglaries and 28 larcenies. Dupont’s police department works to promote public safety and crime awareness, with the goal of preserving the city’s status as one of Washington’s best places to live.

Did you know:

We just started Village Community Policing based on the award-winning practices of Safe Streets and the principles of neighborhood policing.

We also have a Community Resource Officer who will address issues before they become crimes. He’ll facilitate disputes between neighbors, intervene at locations where we have a disproportionate number of calls for service, watch for code violations, etc.

We have geography on our side being surrounded by a military base, JBLM, on three sides and Puget Sound on the other. There are only three ways in or out of the city, and I think this sort of knowledge gets out and about. We are a planned community with very strict CC&Rs that keep DuPont very well-maintained which also helps; we don’t have very many “broken windows”. Our policing philosophy is to be proactive including having our officers maintain a very visual presence. Finally, for better or worse, we have no public transit beyond a commuter express to Seattle, so unless you drive in, there is no way to get in and out.
Thomas E. "Ted" Danek, Jr., City Administrator, City of DuPont

Conclusion

Did your hometown make our list of Washington’s safest cities? If so, then you’re likely to sleep a little easier at night. However, if it didn’t earn a spot in our rankings, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not a secure place to call home. Our rankings only include those cities that report their crime data to the FBI, so if your local law enforcement agency doesn’t, that may account for its absence.

The Top 50 Safest Cities in Washington

RankCityPopulationTotal # of Violent Crimes1Total # of Property Crimes2Violent Crime Per 1,000Robbery Per 1,000Property Crime Per 1,000Burglary Per 1,000
1Dupont9,5375480.50.05.01.8
2Connell5,7469391.60.06.81.9
3Sammamish51,01683860.20.07.62.6
4Duvall7,6581740.10.09.71.3
5Ridgefield5,8564590.70.010.10.3
6Lynden13,12781400.60.110.71.3
7Snoqualmie12,359101540.80.112.51.1
8Selah7,4472910.30.112.22.4
9Camas21,275162950.80.113.92.4
10Brier6,4255750.80.211.74.7
11Pullman31,810504001.60.112.63.4
12Mercer Island24,44663730.20.015.32.8
13Bainbridge Island23,22893390.40.114.63.3
14Maple Valley25,331133660.50.014.43.5
15Kenmore21,886193020.90.213.84.2
16Liberty Lake8,43641390.50.216.53.0
17West Richland13,272152161.10.016.34.1
18Battle Ground18,449233251.20.217.62.7
19Oak Harbor22,123373801.70.217.23.8
20Steilacoom6,15761021.00.016.66.8
21Pacific7,14291571.30.122.03.1
22Normandy Park6,61061350.90.220.45.1
23Mill Creek18,970244411.30.323.22.6
24Richland53,4459012091.70.222.63.2
25Kirkland85,3528420171.00.223.63.2
26Pasco69,11517614812.50.421.44.4
27College Place9,01242300.40.125.54.0
28Poulsbo9,566152451.60.325.62.9
29Grandview11,172142461.30.222.07.0
30Wapato5,05981191.60.423.55.1
31Ocean Shores5,62271301.20.423.16.2
32Anacortes16,119234131.40.125.64.0
33Prosser5,809211353.60.223.24.1
34Washougal14,904193801.30.325.54.3
35Lake Stevens30,387507791.60.125.64.2
36University Place32,270687122.10.722.16.8
37Orting7,09381821.10.125.74.8
38East Wenatchee13,539153731.10.327.63.3
39Mukilteo21,002265461.20.426.05.0
40Edgewood9,645242122.50.422.08.8
41Milton7,268181882.50.725.94.7
42Fircrest6,644111551.70.823.38.1
43Cheney11,387282932.50.425.75.4
44Lake Forest Park13,20993380.70.225.67.4
45Issaquah34,3721810790.50.231.42.0
46Sunnyside16,105214571.30.428.44.6
47Redmond58,3113017450.50.129.94.1
48Bonney Lake18,519205111.10.427.66.4
49Bothell36,0872610960.70.230.44.4
50Ferndale12,568273632.10.228.95.4
1Violent crime includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
2Property crime includes burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

Rebecca Lake is a journalist at CreditDonkey, a home security comparison and reviews website. Write to Rebecca Lake at rebecca@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

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