F
118%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
11%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
139%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleKelso/100k peopleWashington/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime646n/a (estimate)5,0773,7322,324
Murder2n/a15.75.06.3
Rape9n/a70.739.240.0
Robbery10n/a78.686.866.1
Assault31n/a243.7244.7268.2
Violent crime52n/a (estimate)409376370
Burglary124n/a974.6563.0269.8
Theft402n/a3,159.62,154.01,401.9
Vehicle theft68n/a534.5639.3282.7
Property crime594n/a (estimate)4,6693,3561,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Kelso, WA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Kelso crime rate is 118.5% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Kelso, there were 52 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 409 per 100,000 individuals, 10.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, Kelso recorded 594 property crimes, amounting to 4669 per 100,000 residents, 138.9% higher than the U.S. average.

Having a crime rate of 5077 per 100,000 residents, Kelso experiences a crime rate that is 118.46% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Kelso contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Kelso has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 409 violent crimes, while the national average reported 370. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Kelso has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 2 murders in Kelso, which is 16 murders per 100,000 people.

Kelso has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4669 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Kelso is 1 in 22, which is far higher than the national average.

With a total of 68 vehicle thefts last year, Kelso has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 534 per 100,000 people. This lands Kelso in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 188.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Kelso?

What do the local residents think about crime in Kelso? Well, based on a recent survey of 11 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 64% of Kelso residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 36% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Kelso a Safe Place to Live?

Is Kelso a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Kelso has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 118%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 1.77 daily incidents, encompassing 0.14 violent crimes and 1.63 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Kelso as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Kelso Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Kelso has increased by 31.3%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Kelso, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 23.8%, while property crime has increased by 32%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Kelso is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Kelso

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Kelso crime rates. In Kelso, the poverty rate stands at 19.9%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

Kelso reports an unemployment rate of 4.5%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Kelso crime rates.

In Kelso, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.16 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

Kelso crime map



The Kelso crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Kelso as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Kelso crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Kelso crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Kelso crime rates are 118% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Kelso are 11% higher than the national average
  • In Kelso you have a 1 in 20 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Kelso is safer than 12% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Kelso has increased by 29%

Kelso, WA Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Kelso (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Kelso, WA per 100,000 people. In Kelso, the total number of daily crimes is 1.36 times more than the Washington average and 2.18 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Kelso is 1.09 times more than the Washington average and 1.11 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Kelso has a daily crime rate that is 1.39 times more than the Washington average and 2.39 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Kelso (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Kelso to every other city in Washington, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Kelso safe? The gauges above illustrate that Kelso is safer than 18% of every city located within Washington along with 12% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Washington and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Kelso, WA is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Kelso

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Kelso is 1 in 245
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Kelso is 1 in 22
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Kelso is 1 in 20
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Kelso? If you reside in Kelso, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 245. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 22 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Kelso, is 1 in 20.

        Year Over Year Crime In Kelso (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Kelso is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Kelso has increased by 22% and the rate of property crime in Kelso has increased by 30%. The total crime rate in Kelso has increased by 29% year to year.

        Kelso police department

        Item Kelso Washington National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)268,169558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.22.23.3
        There are a total of 26 Kelso police officers. This results in 2.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 0.5% less than the Washington average and 33.6% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Washington

        State Total offenders Washington /100K National /100K
        Washington6,688107266
        There are a total of 6,688 sex offenders in Washington. This yields a total of 107 sex offenders in Washington per 100,000 residents which is 60% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Longview Heights, WA4,3881811,6161,797
        Kalama, WA2,7081312,6142,744
        Castle Rock, WA2,9171233,0303,153
        Woodland, WA6,2231833,1483,331
        West Side Highway, WA5,7354023,5923,994
        Longview, WA37,9143504,4854,835
        Rainier, OR2,0801575,3355,492
        Kelso, WA12,2374094,6695,077

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Palmer Town, MA12,2363399521,291
        Northlake, IL12,2353321,9492,282
        Carnot-Moon, PA12,2422681,4201,689
        Orange City, FL12,2322622,6282,890
        Mays Chapel, MD12,2292441,0021,246
        Kelso, WA12,2374094,6695,077
        Source: The Kelso, WA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.