According To FBI Statistics, These Are The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Washington For 2020
Statistically, Washington is a very safe place to call home (as well as the best place, in our opinion). But no matter what city or town you live in, you’ll certainly encounter crime now and then — it happens everywhere, unfortunately. Recently, RoadSnacks compiled the most recent FBI data on property crime and violent crime and came up with a list of Washington’s most dangerous cities for 2020.
And while that particular author’s opinions of our state are laughable at best and painfully ignorant at worst (low wages? Not so much!), the FBI statistics are true. That being said, these cities are all still great places to live, so if you call one of them home, we wouldn’t worry. Wherever you reside, just lock your doors, be aware of your surroundings, and enjoy life in the amazing PNW.
Located just south of Olympia, Centralia is an overall pleasant place to call home. As of 2018, residents had a 1 in 196 chance of being the victim of a violent crime and a 1 in 21.8 chance of being the victim of a property crime, earning it a low spot on the list.
Known for being home to the Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane International Airport, Airway Heights is a small community with a population of about 8,200. It does have a bit of a rough-and-tumble reputation, and it's the 9th most dangerous city in terms of property crime.
Toppenish is the 8th most dangerous city in Washington overall, but that might change soon. While violent crime ranks 19th in the state, property crime rates decreased from 2017 - 2018.
Lakewood locals have a 1 in 154 chance of being the victim of violence (as of 2018). However, both violent crime and property crime rates have fallen in recent years (by 12% and 11% respectively), a trend that will hopefully continue.
Considering Aberdeen was once considered one of the most dangerous places in the nation in the early 1900s, it's safe to say that things have improved dramatically. Still, Aberdeen ranks as having the 7th highest violent crime rate and 14th highest property crime rate, earning it a spot toward the middle of our list.
Seattle is our largest city, and if you believe the media hype, it's currently a war zone. However, if you look at the statistics, both violent crime and property crime rates have decreased in recent years -- and unlike sensation-selling outlets, facts don't lie. That being said, there's also no denying that 1 in 147 of Seattle's residents was the victim of a crime in 2018, which is fairly substantial, so be very alert when you visit.
Shelton is located in Mason County near the Hood Canal. The city's property crime rankings definitely outweigh the violence risks, but it's still considered the 8th most dangerous city for violent crimes.
Tacoma is a pretty happy city, and it's thriving -- people are moving there in droves. Unfortunately, its violent crime rates come in at 1st in the entire state, with residents having a 1 in 115 chance of being a victim of violence. As far as property crime rates, it comes in 10th.
Spokane might be Near Nature, Near Perfect, but that doesn't mean life here is idyllic. Both violent and property crimes have been increasing at a troubling speed over the past few years, but if you call the Lilac City home, don't worry -- most people will agree that it's still a safe place to live.
Poor Tukwila. It seems to top this list every year. But with residents facing a 1 in 6 chance of being a property crime victim and a 1 in 137 chance of being the victim of a violent crime, there's nowhere else for it to go. Violent crime rates have decreased slightly in recent years, so that's something.
It seems as if, on a whole, both violent crime and property crime rates are slowly but surely falling in the Evergreen State. And believe it or not, this is actually a safe place to be when it comes to natural disasters as well.
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
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